There's no doubt about it, the way consumers buy and sell goods is changing and it's changing quickly. The reason for the big change can be explained with one word: the Internet.
Electronic retailing, or e-tailing, is booming and small business can expand business opportunities by taking advantage of it. E-tail does more than simply provide alternative shopping sites to real-world stores, it also can expand existing markets and even create new ones.
E-commerce is proving to be a great equalizer, allowing the smallest businesses and those from rural locations, including farm businesses, to access markets and have a presence that allows them to compete in the marketplace on equal footing. It also means businesses should watch this trend carefully and develop a strategy to position themselves in the new Internet economy.
While the traditional ways of doing business should not be totally abandoned, given current trends and predictions, it is essential that businesses embrace the use of the Internet as a vehicle for sales. The businesses that position themselves now for a technology-driven future
increase their chances of survival.
Need help? Grant funding to develop or enhance e-commerce is currently available through the Fremont Chamber. University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension is offering an Electronic Retailing: Selling on the Internet e-commerce workshop on March 17 in York. Contact your local extension office for more details.
Dave Varner is an Extension Educator with the University of Nebraska Cooperative Extension office in Dodge County. Dave may be contacted at 727-2775, 1206 West 23rd Street in Fremont, or at dvarner1@unl.edu
