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The internet and modern business go hand in hand. But, is it a match made in heaven? In this article, I’ll look at some of the good, bad, and ugly things about the internet and businesses.

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The Good

Easier To Start A Business

There’s no denying that the internet has made it much easier to start a business. All you need is an idea, and everything else can be set up in no time at all. Often, you don’t even need a business loan to get started. People are setting up businesses from their bedroom, and making a lot of money while they’re at it.

It’s opened the door for young entrepreneurs to step in and take advantage of modern technology. There are plenty of businesses you can set up online, using the internet. The most popular of which has to be an online retail store. Selling things on the internet is simple. It doesn’t cost a lot to set up, and the money can be brilliant.

The internet has also made it easier to start traditional businesses too. People can apply for business loans online and get the money to finance their startup. There are also loads of articles providing tips and guidance for people wanting to start a company. They can read up and gain knowledge of how to do things, which makes it easier for them to start.

More Effective, Targeted, Marketing

The growth of the internet has led to more effective marketing for businesses. What’s more, marketing is now more targeted than ever. You can zero in on your target audience and promote products to them.

Companies are far better off because of internet marketing. It offers a more cost-effective way of promoting your business too. Social media can be used for free, and is highly effective. The best thing about internet marketing is that you can extend your reach. Instead of only promoting to your target market locally, you can promote to the world!

All of this means there’s a greater chance of your business finding customers. What does this lead to? More sales, of course! More sales mean a higher chance of making a profit, which means your business is successful.

(Link: http://goo.gl/BZ7SUf)

The Bad

Increased Copyright Infringements

The internet has made it easier for people to steal other companies work. To make matters worse, it’s also harder to deal with copyright issues. There could be a website out there that sells your products without you even knowing about it. Or, they could use your brand name and logo, and you may be none the wise.

 

In the business world, copyright is a serious issue. There’s nothing worse than having your work/ideas stolen. You spend hours and hours building your business, just to see that someone has tried to steal and copy things. Back in the day, it was harder for copyright to go unnoticed. You’d easily spot it, and get it dealt with as quickly as possible.

But, the internet is a very big thing. There are billions of people using it, which makes it hard to police. And, when you find copyright infringement, it’s difficult to take all of it down. Thankfully, there are companies that offer a DMCA takedown service. They find all your copyrighted work and get it taken down as soon as possible. It can still be tough to get rid of everything, but it’s certainly easier than doing it alone. Make no mistake about it; the internet has made it harder for modern businesses to deal with issues like copyright infringement.

More Competition, Harder For Small Businesses

As mentioned earlier, the internet has made it easier for people to start businesses and grow. It doesn’t take long to set everything up, and you can rake in loads of money. However, this increased ease has led to a problem. There’s now so much more competition out there for budding entrepreneurs. As a result, many small businesses find it hard to survive.

The problem is worse for businesses that don’t operate online. All those small family businesses that spent years working hard are now in jeopardy. They’re being brushed aside by new and exciting online businesses.

Don’t get me wrong, competition in business is a healthy thing. You need competition to motivate you and push you to be better. But, the internet has made it difficult for some businesses to compete. They don’t have the resources to stand up against some of the big online businesses of today.

The Ugly

Internet Abuse

Obviously, the internet can be a very good place for businesses. But, it can also be a horrible place too. And, when I say this, I’m mainly talking about social media. Everyone knows that it’s a fantastic marketing tool. But, there are some shocking truths about it that hardly anyone mentions.

 

Namely, social media sites are a breeding ground for internet trolls. Anyone with a business account can testify that you get your fair share of abuse. No matter what you post, someone will pop up with an abusive and disgusting message. Often, it’s not directed at you, but at other people engaging with you. There are no two ways about it; it’s just an ugly mess at times.

 

The thing is, it’s also a big problem for your business. It makes you look bad if you’re constantly bombarded by internet trolls. Other people will see the abuse and get put off by your company. They’ll wonder what you did to deserve all these horrible things being said. In reality, you’ve done nothing, and an internet troll is just doing what they always do. But, you can also receive abuse from disgruntled customers. When something goes wrong, they’ll take to social media and let it all out for everyone to see. The internet has made it much more difficult to have private conversations with customers. If one person has a problem, you can bet they’ll let the whole world know about it in seconds.

As you can see, the internet isn’t 100% positive for businesses. There are some bad things that occur because of it. However, it’s not going to disappear, so companies need to get used to it.

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