This is a program of Rural Opportunities, Inc.

Advantages of the Internet



Georgia Walther, of The Clothes Horse, had 110 hits
within the first 4 hours her site was on the Internet!

• 24/7 storefront
• Improved customer service
• Access to previously inaccessible markets at a low cost
• Keyword searches help your customers find your unique product
• Time favors e-business growth –upcoming generations accept technology and telecommunications as a given
• Small business is seizing new opportunities the Internet offers.
  • 35% sell on the Internet
  • 61% purchase goods and services
  • 80% gather information
  • 83% use e-mail
• Small businesses with fewer than ten employees benefit the most from being on-line – 35% gain 10 to 99 percent of current sales directly or indirectly from the Internet.
• On average, Web users are upscale (25% have income over $80K), professional (50% are professional or managerial), and educated (64% have at least college degrees). Approximately 14% (2.5 million) of Web users have purchased products or services over the Internet