• Survey of Rural Challenges
  • Small Town Speaker Becky McCray
  • Shop Local video
  • SaveYour.Town

Small Biz Survival

The small town and rural business resource

A row of small town shops
  • Front Page
  • Latest stories
  • About
  • Guided Tour
  • Subscribe
  • Privacy Policy
  • Contact
  • RSS

Internet marketing for small town businesses

By Small Biz Survival

Editor’s Note: April Groves mentioned on Twitter that she was working on an article about internet marketing in small towns. Although she wrote about Bryan County Georgia, her thoughts could apply in any small town. She was kind enough to grant us permission to reprint that article here.

Internet Marketing in Bryan County

By April Groves

I had the wonderful experience of attending the 2nd annual BlogSavannah UnConference on Friday. I had the opportunity to run into a few other folks from Richmond Hill. They have businesses, and they are on the web. This got me to thinking – do businesses in Bryan County need a web presence to compete effectively in today’s commercial market?

 

Let’s consider this for a moment. A quick internet search shows that the major agencies in the county have websites. You can find tons of information on emergency services, education and government. You can pay property taxes, and the City of Richmond Hill has a new online water bill payment system. This tells me that our community does look for information and will do business online.

 

Another quick internet search also reveals that many local industries have a web presence. Health and Wellness, Real Estate, Non-Profits, Financial Institutions, Attorneys and a host of other businesses have a web address. Through folks that I know, I can also tell you there are some businesses that function entirely online. There is no brick and mortar structure – only a web address. This tells me that if you are in business and not online, your competition probably is.

 

I go one last time to the internet search. Not everybody is there. In fact, a few very successful businesses have not gone the way of internet marketing. This tears me into two directions. Either they are missing an opportunity for business growth or they really would not benefit from online exposure. I can’t help but believe it is the former and not the latter.

 

Recent statistics show that roughly 20% of media consumption comes from online activity. I am a bit surprised the number is that low. There is a major industry in town that has 80% of its prospective client base looking online before they ever step into an office or pick up a phone. We are in an age of email and eBay. Ask around to find out how much of last month’s Christmas shopping happened online. Find out where people go to order their favorite coffee, barbeque sauce or shoes. Are you surprised to learn that “Google” is a verb and not just a website? Do you know what a “Google” is? How about a “blog,” “PayPal,” or “Amazon”? While this terminology may or may not be your everyday vernacular, you can bet a large segment of the purchasing public knows just what I am talking about.

 

Why online? I can’t speak for everybody, but I can speak for a lot. Online offers an “in your pajamas at midnight” opportunity to search, shop, compare and buy – and then wait for the “on your doorstep” delivery which can be as fast as overnight in many cases. No gas, no carts, no lines – just a mouse and a credit card. Some are going there to make purchases, while others are going to investigate establishments they are planning to do business with. Shopping on the internet has become easier and safer, and more consumers are going there.

 

During the holidays we talked about “buying local.” It is an idea I believe in with a deep passion. However, I am like most folks with a busy schedule, kids to coordinate and not a lot of time to leisurely peruse through a shop or check out local service providers during normal working hours. I spend a good deal of time online with a cup of coffee early in the morning searching for consumer information so I can either buy it online or run a quick errand to pick it up. Can I find your business there?

Granted, I am only one voice. I would love to hear what you think about it.

April
www.aprilgroves.com

New to SmallBizSurvival.com? Take the Guided Tour. Like what you see? Get our updates. Want more stories? Read our shared stories from all over.

  • About the Author
  • Latest by this Author
Small Biz Survival

The rural small business blog. We talk about small town business, with how-to articles, especially on social media marketing and making your community a better place. We use this “author” for announcements and other things you’ll want to know.

www.smallbizsurvival.com
  • Hands-on and experience-based businesses boost local economies
  • Young Americans Returning to Rural for More than Just Holiday Dinners
  • Rural marketing tip: the name is the claim

February 2, 2008 Filed Under: marketing, rural Tagged With: guest post

Wondering what is and is not allowed in the comments?
Or how to get a nifty photo beside your name?
Check our commenting policy.
Use your real name, not a business name.


Don't see the comment form?
Comments are automatically closed on older posts, but you can send me your comment via this contact form and I'll add it manually for you. Thanks!

Howdy!

Glad you dropped in to the rural and small town business blog, established in 2006.

We want you to feel at home, so please take our guided tour.

Meet our authors on the About page.

Have something to say? You can give us a holler on the contact form.

If you would like permission to re-use an article you've read here, please make a Reprint Request.

Want to search our past articles? Catch up with the latest stories? Browse through the categories? All the good stuff is on the Front Page.

Partners

We partner with campaigns and organizations that we think best benefit rural small businesses. Logo with "Shop Indie Local"Move Your Money, bank local, invest localMulticolor logo with text that says "Global Entrepreneurship Week"Save Your Town logotype

Best of Small Biz Survival

A few people shopping in an attractive retail store in refurbished downtown building.

TREND 2025: Retail’s Big Split: what small town retailers can do now

99% of the best things you can do for your town don’t require anyone’s permission

Three kids in a canoe

Get started as an outdoor outfitter without breaking the bank

A shopkeeper and a customer share a laugh in a small store packed full of interesting home wares.

How to get customers in the door of small town and rural retail stores

Rural Tourism Trend: electric vehicle chargers can drive visitors

Wide view of a prairie landscape with a walk-through gate in a fence

Tourism: Make the most of scant remains and “not much to see” sites with a look-through sign

More of the best of Small Biz Survival

Copyright © 2025 Becky McCray
Front Page · Log in