Small Business Website Designer

History of Small Businesses

Initially, all businesses were small enterprises. There wasn’t a need for “small” businesses until more prominent companies emerged. The idea that big and small businesses began during the Great Depression. During this time, people became aware of business sizes and were significantly impacted by developments such as the emergence of the middle class and organized labor. Subsequently, in July 1953, the Small Business Administration was created and established by Congress under the Small Business Act to support small businesses and entrepreneurs. This administration provided loans to small businesses and helped fund privately owned firms. There were a few roadblocks along the way, but small companies started to grow with the help of the community and government.

The Rise of Small Businesses

One of the ways small businesses gained exposure was through Small Business Saturday. Its purpose was to be the opposite of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Small Business Saturday was first observed in 2010, and American Express sponsored and promoted the first event. American Express cardholders also got money back when they used their cards to make small business purchases. In 2016, approximately 112 million people shopped at small businesses during Small Business Saturday. This was positive for small businesses and gave people the initiative to participate. Over 480 organizations joined the Small Business Saturday Coalition, and 72% of American consumers were aware of the holiday.

History of eCommerce / Small Business Website

Shopping is one of the most popular activities done online. Websites like Amazon have wildly succeeded because they cater to online audiences, but how did it start? Buying and selling online, or e-commerce, dates back to 1991. During this time, the internet was open for commercial use. E-commerce had a different meaning: the electronic process of commercial transactions. While e-commerce was possible at the time, it wasn’t safe. Security protocols like HTTP took a few years to create an ideal shopping environment. By 2000, major companies began to appear on the World Wide Web. Shopping online was proven successful because, by the end of 2001, around $700 billion in transactions had been made. At this time, the concept of e-commerce began to take shape into what it is today.

Small Business Website Designer Benefits

For a small business to survive, it must be online and have effective online marketing strategies in place. For example, a small business website, online marketing, and SEO are necessary. A survey found that 36% of US and 45% of UK shoppers shopped online for the holidays. By 2015, this number increased to 61% of US and 71% of UK shoppers. Hence, this shows that an increase in online shopping is expected as we move forward.

With eCommerce services, businesses can make their products and services accessible to this growing market. Companies can also reach a bigger audience and offer more extensive products.

The Internet’s Influence on Shopping on a Small Business Website

The influence on one another is a significant positive outcome for both. Having a small business website on the web is a considerable investment. It gives your customers options and makes you more visible to them. A 2013 study by GE Capital Retail Bank found that 81% of people research products online before purchasing them in-store. Just the previous year, it was only 20%. People increasingly rely on the internet to make informed purchasing decisions. The internet hosts reviews from other customers, advertisements from companies, and various products. 81% of people take their time with their research. They spend approximately 79 days gathering information about a product before making a significant purchase. Putting a small business online can increase customers’ options when making online purchases.

Small Business Website Going Large

Apple is a company that many people are familiar with, but did you know it started very small? In 1975, Steve Jobs and his friend Steve Wozniak started Apple in Jobs’ parents’ garage. They began with an idea and a passion for computers, and something as small as a garage company grew into something huge. Now, there are numerous Apple gadgets that people swear by. Apple is one of the world’s largest tech companies. Steve wasn’t aiming for this when he started in that garage.

What is a small business?

Is it how much you sell or the profit you make? Only having one location and dealing with locals? Small businesses are privately owned corporations, partnerships, or sole proprietorships. It extends far beyond buying and selling items online. Additionally, it involves utilizing information, technology, and resources to conduct business online. It is also about the bond that small companies and customers make. Those relationships are what bring customers back to support these businesses. While people cherish this, we move forward in a technology-driven world that thrives on consumption. Small businesses and the internet joining forces are a big step in the right direction.