Opportunity it’s all around. Take a look.

Two hundred years ago the only way you could have a cold beer was if it was winter or if you were rich and could transport and store ice.

Then came Frederic Tudor, an entrepreneur who turned ice into a business, and made a fortune shipping ice to the Caribbean and all over the world.

Technology marched on and people found ways to create ice in warehouses that did not need to be shipped. It could be stored and created locally.

Enter The Web.
Just a few years ago, John Pohlig might have hung up balloons and perhaps an inflatable gorilla outside a Honda dealership in Torrance, California to attract shoppers.

Now Mr. Pohlig, director of marketing, uses Facebook and other social media to try and increase business. Four thousand “likes” later, and Scott Robinson Honda has a huge Facebook base.

“We’re building relevance out there” he says. “Our objective is to reach as many people as possible. Over the long run, this will help build our business and our company.”

“People don’t have time to spend all day at the dealership anymore,” Pohlig notes. “We answer all their questions online before they come in, and get them right out.”

Some 41% of all car dealers now have Facebook pages, according to CNW Research.

Enter The Smartphone.
Nowadays 35% of American adults own a smartphone. One quarter of them use their phone to do most of their online browsing!

Now it’s a cash register. Your mobile phone, I mean. Remember the cash register? Back in 1883 it was a big deal invention called the “Incorruptible Cashier”. Today it’s a pocket-sized credit card reader from squareup.com that plugs into your mobile phone and makes you an instant business able to accept credit cards safely and securely from anywhere.

The cash register comes of age!

Have you?

Facebook’s Global Footprint

TWO THIRDS OF THE WORLD’S INTERNET POPULATION
visit social networking or blogging sites.

Time spent on social network and blogging sites is growing at over 3x the rate of overall Internet growth.

Social networks/ blogs are now the fourth most popular online category – ahead of personal e-mail.

The social network audience is
becoming more encompassing.

Facebook’s greatest growth in global audience numbers has come from people aged 35-49. Furthermore, Facebook has added almost twice as many 50-64 year old visitors (+13.6 million) than it has added under 18 year old visitors (+7.3 million). Consequently, people under 18 years old are making up less of the social network and blogging audience, whereas the 50+ age group are accounting for more of the audience.

Mobile Social Networking is
Taking Off.

The most popular social networks via PCs/laptops tend to be the most popular via mobile too.

Based on a simple design, broad demographic appeal and a focus on connecting, Facebook has become the most popular social network in the majority of countries measured by Nielsen Online.

**Source: Nielsen, Global Faces & Networked Places, 2009

Is Facebook killing websites?

AdAge columnist, Pete Blackshaw asks whether we still need websites given the growing corporate use of Twitter, Facebook and “cool” applications.

Another web guru says,  “Like print newspapers, basketball players under 6 feet tall, and the McRib sandwich, the website as we know it will soon be a thing of the past – a quaint reminder of the original Internet era.”

A MATTER OF TRUST
With social media becoming a way for companies to engage with existing and potential customers, do websites have a strong role to play?

Yes, is the answer! I believe websites will remain a vibrant small business and corporate tool … THE Digital Tool to establish trust and credibility for your business. But, I do believe HOW websites are created and used will change to complement social media. Websites will need to be agile, flexible and easy for people to leave feedback. Websites need to become a solid foundation upon which social media, e-commerce and mobile services leverage and support.

From the work I’m doing with clients, the evolution of websites is already happening. No longer simply places to get information about what a company offers or makes, websites need to engage, entertain and educate. A compelling website should encourage people to do something – ask for more information, watch a video, subscribe to a blog, “like” a Facebook Page, follow a Twitter account, or even purchase a product or service.

The emergence of social media is prompting more companies to re-examine their websites, now tired, outdated and uninspiring.

A WISE INVESTMENT
Always invest in building a great web site, with great content and links to tools such as Facebook, Twitter and your email newsletter service that can enhance and bolster your web site. But DO have your own web site, with a domain name. In the long run, it’s like having a house that you can always improve and make better and better.

The benefits of a traditional web site, with your own business domain are invaluable and something Facebook simply can’t match. Being able to customize your web site and market it as a portal for your videos, blog, gateway to your Facebook page … these are just some of the reasons you need a web site.

How To Set Up A Facebook Fan Page

Facebook Advertising for Local Small Business