The crisis forces us to increase ingenuity when it comes to moving forward. Finding possible solutions in the face of falling sales and falling consumption are the main objectives of companies. Small businesses are being the most punished by the current economic situation, however, in recent months SMEs have found a new ally: online commerce that is configured as the new workhorse.
The merchants have set their eyes on this way of making their products and services known in a comfortable, practical and most important way: economic. New technologies put different sales tools at the service of businesses, such as the possibility of creating their own online shop windows, offering coupons or promoting discounts.
Until now, SMEs have maintained a certain distance from the Internet. Some of them dared to take some steps in the network especially in the field of social networks, in fact according to a Postiling report small businesses with presence in social media mainly use networks such as Twitter, by 78%; and Facebook, by 75%. Below are networks like LinkedIn, with 30%; Flickr (13%).
Some of the reasons why local commerce showed doubts about the use of the Internet have been ignorance, uncertainty about the privacy of information or distrust of the success of certain campaigns. But this trend has changed. According to a report by CiudadMarket, ‘SMBs now have a greater knowledge of the uses of the internet, most merchants who maintain a presence on the web have a positive experience and tell other colleagues how the Internet is helping them to improve. your returns. ‘ The report of this portal focused on small and medium-sized businesses, assures that “It is the positive experience that makes it possible for more and more SMEs to be encouraged to include their business in the network”.
Social networks have served SMEs as contact with the Internet but have not been a direct sales channel with consumers. However, experts warn that it is necessary to address the needs of each company through three fronts: “visibility, offers and proximity,” reports the CiudadMarket report.
Until now, the Internet seemed like a medium reserved for large companies that could afford to have a person in charge to maintain and develop their online activity. But in recent months the confidence in the internet has increased while the costs of maintaining an effective presence in the network have been reduced. It is no longer necessary to invest astronomical amounts for users to find a business on the internet or for the merchant to make their presence profitable. According to the heads of CiudadMarket ‘rewards the strategy above the investment’ and adds that some of the techniques that are most successful among merchants are the use of interactive shop windows, location or discount coupons for potential customers. Tools that are undoubtedly a good weapon for SMEs.