by Les Williams, Alliance Manager, IBM Small and Medium Business (NAPSA)—A growing number of small businessesare finding the Internet can make a big difference in how they do their business. Seventy-one percent of small businesses—those with 25 employees or fewer—have Internet access, according to Dun & Bradstreet’s 2002 Small Business Survey. However, only a third of them use the Internet as a way to attract new customersor sell new productsor services. Some small business owners have avoided using the Internet because they don’t know where to start or they are intimidated by what they think they have to learn to masterit. However, it doesn’t have to be that way. Experts say one of the best ways for a small business to get started online is to use the Internet in simple waysatfirst. This would include such steps as having a Website, communicating with customers through e-mail or using the Internet to get a clearer idea of who your customers are and how to market to them. For example, the J&B Flower Farmsof Florida is a grower and supplier of fresh-cut flowers. While their customer base is small, they do large volume sales with a few large retail chains. They wanted to use the Internet to create a stronger corporate brand relationship with customers. That meant using e-mail to communicate with buyers and developing a Web site to be used as an information resource. ae With help from experts, a small business, such as the J&B Flower Farm, can have a Website up and running in two weeks. Fortunately, organizations, such as the National Federation of Business (NFIB), are helping com- panies such as this one achieve their goals. For example, the NFIB offers its 600,000 members access to an Internet package from Website Pros that includes site design and maintenance, online marketing and hosting from IBM—all for a fee that’s less than the cost of leasing a photocopier. As a result, the J&B Flower Farms had their Web site up and running in two weeks. When it comes to small businesses using the Internet, part- nerships can make the difference. In this case the NFIB, Website Pros and IBM helped a small business to blossom online. To learn more, visit the Web site at www.ibm.com/smallbusiness.
