BCA

By John Riley

In 2008, small and medium sized businesses (SMBs) spent over $6.8 billion online according to Borrell Associates in a report released in March 2009. This dovetailed with a poll of US marketers by Bredin Business Information early this year which pointed out that SMBs are having to do more with less and that is moving them into the digital world.

Marketers point out that the outlook for small-business marketing has changed this year. Local online activities are becoming more prevalent and focused which has helped SMBs improve their targeting of customers with segmentation research. But other challenges remain.

Funding of new projects, increasing awareness of their business and growing the business with limited resources remain the major challenges. With local online efforts now representing 11% of all SMB marketing spending including Website development, it’s clear these activities will play a significant role in helping create the awareness necessary to grow the businesses.