Small businesses can help level the playing field with large-scale competition by leveraging the power of the internet

With the internet growing in popularity, particularly as consumers turn increasingly to the web for product research and shopping, small business advocates are urging business owners to take advantage of the online medium.

In fact, the U.S. Small Business Administration suggests the internet gives small businesses the capabilities and outreach potential to compete with some bigger competitors.

According to eMarketer, almost 70 percent of the Canadian population is online - using email frequently and participating in social networks - sometimes with multiple accounts.

Given these trends and the cost-effective nature of online advertising, some small businesses are taking time to redesign more effective websites or improve their visibility in search rankings.

The small business advocate also touts the multitude of ways to boost customer service by using the web. Online access helps small business owners communicate more frequently and efficiently with customers via email, advertising or in online social settings.

Some businesses are satisfying customer needs by incorporating appointments, repairs and other service scheduling into their ecommerce portals, notes the SBA.

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