My industry has evolved due to the internet. I am a Virtual Assistant offering Executive Assistant Services, which allows Consultants or Business Operators the ability to leverage their time in more positive ways (more time for sales, more time to create, more free time, etc..). I have had clients from across Canada, some of which I have only spoken to a handful of times). I have a large client from Toronto and everything we do is over email and the occasional call. The internet has permitted me the ability to open my market and I am not restricted to only clients I can find in my neighborhood.
My industry has been helped by the internet. Buyers and sellers now have the access to research selling and purchasing a home online and using the affiliated Realtor associated with the listing. The days of driving the buyer to the home location are long gone. Thorough virtual tours and photography are available online, buyers can get a good idea without physically seeing the home if it might be right for them. When they find something they think they might like they contact a Realtor to further the investigation.
Isn't it amazing how the Internet has changed the way we do so many things? That is no truer than in the automobile industry. Prior to the Internet, a typical client would have to visit many car dealerships over many weeks to look at different makes and models. They did have some resources, like Consumer Reports, to determine what might be the best vehicle for them but there wasn't a lot of information available. By and large, consumers relied on advertising and "word of mouth" to help them gain confidence in their "big" decision. Not anymore!
The Internet has changed the way people buy cars. Consider some of these statistics:
· 93% of car buyers go online before visiting a dealership
· The average consumer now only visits 1.3 car dealerships before making a purchase
· 69% of US consumers seek online reviews before making purchases.
· 78% of U.S. adults believe it is very important to look up info about people and/or businesses online before deciding to interact or do business with them.
The internet is does not help my business at all. I have customers that buy an item from me, then shop the internet for additional items. I have done numerous fittings where we did not sell anything just for them to get fitted for a size. I have stopped allowing customers to photograph merchandise for future purchases. I hear this often, why does a special order item take so long to get when they can get the item off of amazon in two days. There is not a lot of understanding in what it takes to run a small business like mine. Bras are not accessories we teach good bra habits. Proper fitting techniques are hard to find on the internet. Every bra fits differently!!
Hurt for small businesses. Amazon put many local companies out of business. Uber is disrupting the taxi industry and the list goes on. And now service businesses are now being taken over by large companies. The customers gets a lower price but worse service, the local business man goes out of business and large companies get richer.
The internet has completely helped and changed our Real Estate business!!!
Now our product (homes for sale or rent) is delivered to the consumer in minutes and the information is available in everyone's phones, tablets, computers, etc. in color, with videos and even with 360 degrees of experiences inside or outside the homes...It has completely changed the way Realtors do business!!
The one thing that the internet has not changed is the need for an experienced professional to safely walk clients through the process in real time.
I don't think the internet has helped OR hurt my business. Fortunately my customers are from word of mouth from others who have been happy with my services. I use Facebook for posting helpful tips on health and I do have a website that people can access for helpful information but these internet sources do not typically drive business to me. I think the internet is a great resource for information but it's not the end all- be all for client contact.
Both! While the upside, especially as an independent agent we have access to so much more information quicker that it helps us to deliver better service and respond quicker to the needs of our clients. However, with the ease of access comes the danger of bad information, or misleading information because of the desire in the marketplace to be first to the table and acquire that new customer. And, for many of the consumers they can caught in the trap and purchase something they did not really understand and didn't fit their need because they tried to purchase from an automated system and not their personal agent. They just bought the price.
There is still a great need for personal service and a personal agent!
The internet is a double edge sword I think for any industry. In the ad specialties industry, it is great because my customers are able to shop for the best price on any item. The problem is they will work with a company that lacks customer service, product quality, print quality and timely delivery, only to save a penny!
The internet is great to get your name out there and for customers to find you. Unfortunately, it loses the personal aspect of it.
Join Your Local
Business Network
Connect & get quality referrals
from Small Business Owners
Answers (1-10)
My industry has evolved due to the internet. I am a Virtual Assistant offering Executive Assistant Services, which allows Consultants or Business Operators the ability to leverage their time in more positive ways (more time for sales, more time to create, more free time, etc..). I have had clients from across Canada, some of which I have only spoken to a handful of times). I have a large client from Toronto and everything we do is over email and the occasional call. The internet has permitted me the ability to open my market and I am not restricted to only clients I can find in my neighborhood.
My industry has been helped by the internet. Buyers and sellers now have the access to research selling and purchasing a home online and using the affiliated Realtor associated with the listing. The days of driving the buyer to the home location are long gone. Thorough virtual tours and photography are available online, buyers can get a good idea without physically seeing the home if it might be right for them. When they find something they think they might like they contact a Realtor to further the investigation.
Isn't it amazing how the Internet has changed the way we do so many things? That is no truer than in the automobile industry. Prior to the Internet, a typical client would have to visit many car dealerships over many weeks to look at different makes and models. They did have some resources, like Consumer Reports, to determine what might be the best vehicle for them but there wasn't a lot of information available. By and large, consumers relied on advertising and "word of mouth" to help them gain confidence in their "big" decision. Not anymore!
The Internet has changed the way people buy cars. Consider some of these statistics:
· 93% of car buyers go online before visiting a dealership
· The average consumer now only visits 1.3 car dealerships before making a purchase
· 69% of US consumers seek online reviews before making purchases.
· 78% of U.S. adults believe it is very important to look up info about people and/or businesses online before deciding to interact or do business with them.
The internet is does not help my business at all. I have customers that buy an item from me, then shop the internet for additional items. I have done numerous fittings where we did not sell anything just for them to get fitted for a size. I have stopped allowing customers to photograph merchandise for future purchases. I hear this often, why does a special order item take so long to get when they can get the item off of amazon in two days. There is not a lot of understanding in what it takes to run a small business like mine. Bras are not accessories we teach good bra habits. Proper fitting techniques are hard to find on the internet. Every bra fits differently!!
Hurt for small businesses. Amazon put many local companies out of business. Uber is disrupting the taxi industry and the list goes on. And now service businesses are now being taken over by large companies. The customers gets a lower price but worse service, the local business man goes out of business and large companies get richer.
Yes indeed the Internet has helped my business grow from when I produced my first website back in 2002.
The internet has completely helped and changed our Real Estate business!!!
Now our product (homes for sale or rent) is delivered to the consumer in minutes and the information is available in everyone's phones, tablets, computers, etc. in color, with videos and even with 360 degrees of experiences inside or outside the homes...It has completely changed the way Realtors do business!!
The one thing that the internet has not changed is the need for an experienced professional to safely walk clients through the process in real time.
I don't think the internet has helped OR hurt my business. Fortunately my customers are from word of mouth from others who have been happy with my services. I use Facebook for posting helpful tips on health and I do have a website that people can access for helpful information but these internet sources do not typically drive business to me. I think the internet is a great resource for information but it's not the end all- be all for client contact.
Both! While the upside, especially as an independent agent we have access to so much more information quicker that it helps us to deliver better service and respond quicker to the needs of our clients. However, with the ease of access comes the danger of bad information, or misleading information because of the desire in the marketplace to be first to the table and acquire that new customer. And, for many of the consumers they can caught in the trap and purchase something they did not really understand and didn't fit their need because they tried to purchase from an automated system and not their personal agent. They just bought the price.
There is still a great need for personal service and a personal agent!
The internet is a double edge sword I think for any industry. In the ad specialties industry, it is great because my customers are able to shop for the best price on any item. The problem is they will work with a company that lacks customer service, product quality, print quality and timely delivery, only to save a penny!
The internet is great to get your name out there and for customers to find you. Unfortunately, it loses the personal aspect of it.