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There are currently more than 400 million online consumers
worldwide and the numbers are increasing every minute.
Familiar businesses such as eBay and Amazon have helped to
educate and familiarize consumers with the concept of buying online. With every passing day, the number of people shopping,
communicating and doing business online is growing at an astounding rate.
Where traditional commerce operations realize
an annual growth rate of approximately a mere 4.5%, eCommerce sales are exploding at a rate of 28% and higher. There
is no denying where the trends are taking us, whether we like it or not. eCommerce (online) storefronts are where it’s
at.
This is good news for every business owner, particularly those in small towns. Why? To successfully
compete nationwide or worldwide is no longer a problem for small businesses. When a business has a professional online presence,
the size and location of the business are not readily apparent. Anyone can compete online with the right knowledge and tools.
Most businesses operating and employing people in rural areas are small and that includes tourism and accommodation
businesses.
· How do they make sure they stay in business and make a profit, thereby putting money into the
local economy?
· How do they market their product / service effectively?
Being part of an umbrella
organization is one way. Using the Internet as a marketing tool to convert interest from anywhere in the world into an immediate
sale is another.
Let’s take a closer look at a few examples of how
the Internet is benefiting small communities:
Farming – To assume that only farming happens on farms
is the wrong assumption made by most. Many, if not all, farms have always had more than one source of income and that has
become increasingly important. Tourism is an area into which many farms have diversified, whether by providing bed and breakfast
accommodation, or tourist activities.
Job Market - Information technology has broadened the range of work that
is possible to do in and from rural areas. Existing businesses, even small enterprises, can market themselves globally with
the potential to convert interest into immediate sales. It has become possible to work at home, increasing job opportunities,
and giving more free time at home and in the community, and it is no longer necessary for some high-level jobs to be done
in large metropolitan areas. Areas and communities can promote themselves on the world-wide web, giving an insight into their
way of life and encouraging tourism, which in turn creates more jobs.
Community - An increase in the variety
of types of work of which can be efficiently and cost-effectively done in rural areas means that people don't necessarily
have to move away to find work. They can live and work in their own communities.
The community has access to a wider
pool of interests and talents of which may generate new and innovative ideas. Links can be made between communities debating
similar issues and new communities of interest can be formed.
Resources & Services - A wider range of information
and advice can be made available to rural residents and professionals. Choice in some areas (such as learning and hobbies)
can be expanded. The quality of provision (such as in types of local health care) may be improved. Potential visitors can
learn about rural communities.
In addition, the capital associated with starting and operating an online business or
moving a traditional commerce business online is relatively quite inexpensive. All that is required is a website, search engine
positioning, and some savvy marketing skills.
In summary - what has this article told us about some of the benefits
both technology and the Internet offer people in rural communities?
Technology and the Internet certainly can shrink,
and many times, eliminate distance altogether. They make it possible to communicate immediately with people both near and
very far away. Business, education, government and work are no longer as dependent on place or transport. People can stay
in touch easily with their distant friends and family; businesses can market their products and services further afield, and
there can be savings in the amount of time and money spent on traveling, advertising, overhead, and more. These savings, in
turn, mean environmental gains.
Small towns = Small business? Hardly.
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