If you are not taking advantage of Internet marketing for small business, then as a small business owner you are missing an enormous opportunity. Self-employed business owners, like you, often overlook how the Internet can promote their businesses. You will be familiar with all of the following excuses:

• I have been in business for 25 years. I do not need the Internet.

• I do not have time to figure out how to market online.

• I have a little dress shop in a small town. What good is the Internet to me?

• I am a local business; not a global business. I do not need the Internet.

No matter where you live or where your business is located you are heading down the road to extinction, if you are avoiding the Internet.

How can Internet marketing for small business help you?

Think about this: A group of people arrive in your town and want to find out where the restaurants are located; and where those interesting small shops can be found. What do they do?

(a) Find the nearest phone booth and check the Yellow Pages book.

(b) Stop and ask at a gas station.

(c) Check their iPhone where they can easily search for restaurants and shops plus a map for directions.

If you chose (a) the phone booth, your visitors will have a hard time finding a phone booth. They will have an even harder time finding a phone booth with a phone book dangling on a wire chain.

If you chose (b) the gas station, depending on the size of your city, may not be able to give accurate directions. If your potential customers do get directions, they can easily get lost again or discover something else.

If you chose (c) check their iPhone, then you understand the effect the Internet has on every business. More and more people are checking the Internet for locations and directions.

Start your Internet marketing for small business today.

Follow these instructions:

(1) Do a Google search for your business. For example, restaurants and the name of your city.

(2) A list of restaurants will come up.

(3) If yours comes up, look over to the right of your business name it will say, “Edit this page – Business Owner?”

(4) As the owner of the business, you can verify the listing then add more information about your business, plus pictures, comments and a link to your website (if you have one).

Small business owners, who use Internet marketing for small business, will have many advantages over those who do not use the Internet. Firstly, customers will easily find them because they will be searching online rather than using the Yellow Pages book. Secondly, depending on the business there could be opportunities to ship products abroad. Thirdly, Internet marketing is less expensive than radio and newspapers. Lastly, customers can be directed to your website for more information and discount coupons.

Getting your business set up on Google Places is an excellent start. Your next steps involve getting listed in online directories, setting up a website and social marketing. Now is the time to begin your Internet marketing for small business.