When I think of the net i think of the big guys, Google and Facebook. While they are the leaders in there respected fields, however, neither of them innovated there main services. In the case of Google search engine , many others came before such as Alta Vista, , Ali-web, and Web-crawler. In the case of Facebook there was Myspace and friendster . While both these competitors still exists neither hold a candle to Facebook exposure and users. One interesting note type Facebook and friendster without caps anywhere on blogger . The spell check does not list friendster capitalize while Facebook does. I guess more publicity gives you a spell check option.Anyways the point i am making is its pretty clear a small business cannot compete with these to guys in there specialties.
I do believe that small business as chance to compete in the online world , particular in retail. Lets look at amazon and ebay . Amazon has built an interesting business model.Along with its own retail business Amazon didn't choose to fight off the market .. It choose to open its own doors and let other business sell there own products on there website. In the case of eBay any person or small business can participate in the retail market. With eBays Success we also notice some big cooperations entering the realm. I noticed Sears trying to sell some items online through eBay. I do not know how well its done for Sears but its interesting that they went into the eBay wars.
Blogging is another way the small man cam compete. It you are a good blogger and you get alot of followers , you can sell ad-space on your blog . Bloggers can also join up with companies like Izea and take part in sponsored blogs.
Buying an ad in the Miami herald could costs a small business over $200 dollars per inch and a Sunday full page could be over $24,000. Only the big guys could afford that . But with the web you can get on a google ad-word campaign for as little as $100 dollars per month. yes a bigger budget would gets you further but any small business can have at least a presence.
Its it easy for a small internet business? No, and in an age were big companies (Google ,Facebook) are looking to buy medium companies(Groupon, Living social ) its not going to be easy for the little guy but it never was even before the net. I believe with companies like Facebook and Microsoft doing more copying and a little less innovating, there will be an opportunity for the small guy to come up with a great idea like Groupon , Just when Google offers you 6 billion for your idea just take it.
www.adwords.google.com
In today's world it is sooo hard to be a small business among the huge competitors. But retail can be a little different. Most people review products online, but what do they care about ... SAVING!! Groupon is a great company and it will help local business grow.
ReplyDeleteAs much as I'd like to agree with your position on where the big players stand in contrast with start-ups like Groupon, I have to say that the sustainability of their models are more interdependent than the surface lends itself to interpret, and they all KNOW it!
ReplyDeleteRegarding Google's and Facebook's contribution to today's way of life, I do agree with what your are implying. They have not CREATED anything that hasn't already existed, they INNOVATED.
Innovations by GOOGLE MAPS and Locationbased searches is what has allowed applications like foursquare, yelp, and FB to allow us to "check in," Google GOGGLES image recognition, and the list simply goes on.
As long as there are venture capitalists and angel investors, every "little guy" will have an opportunity. Welcome to capitalism!