The other end to the major change that people are experiencing in the world of business is one that not many people consider when purchasing products online or surfing the net. Businesses every where are hiring more and more people to design and maintain web sites that serve as virtual stores with endless amounts of space and products. The average person sixteen years of age or older spends 5.9 hours per week on the Internet. With over 37 million people who have access to the web nation wide in North America alone, you can see why businesses across the world see the web as a major marketing opportunity (Pride and Ferrell 111).

There is such a demand for companies to have web sites today that there are even companies that specialize in web site design. For a fee you can hire a company specializing in web site design to come into your business or home and set up a web site for your company. These companies will even maintain the web site as your company grows and be sure it is kept up and online at all times. The advantages of the Internet for business purposes can help a company of any kind to increase sales and awareness.

Many companies are still hesitant to move their marketing efforts, or even any part of them, into a computerized arena. Some companies worry about web site construction costs and not being able to keep up the web site as the business expands (Silverman 1). Despite the cost and other small disadvantages both web sites and e-mail offer some great advantages over traditional forms of advertisement. For example consumers can instantly communicate with a company through e-mail leading to quicker problem resolution, and added ease of filling out surveys. Consumer feedback is always crucial to marketing and many times consumers won't take the time to mail in a survey but they may fill it out on the spot.

Another huge advantage is the cost of posting an advertisement on the net. Although it does cost money to get your company web site up and running, in the long run online advertising can be much cheaper (Pride and Ferrell 474). When compared to advertising on television or radio the Internet is very reasonable. Advertising on the web also provides something neither radio, television, nor magazines have to offer; a link to your own businesses web page. By a simple click of the mouse a person could be on their way to any companies web site. Once at the web site, the possibilities are endless. A person could spend an hour or more Interacting with the web site. No other form of advertisement offers interaction with the consumer, and this can lead to a sale on the spot, that’s more than any television advertisement can offer as channel surfers pass by (Silverman 2)

The possibilities for the Internet and businesses are endless. A painter can show off his work and experience as well as find new customers. Car dealers can allow people to visit the showroom and tell them everything they need to know all while the dealership is closed. Retail stores can get people out of the crowds and shopping in their homes. Almost any company can use the web as a tool for growth.

The Internet is changing the way both marketers and businesses approach their jobs. The newfound technology provides companies with faster, more efficient, and much more powerful methods of designing, promoting, and distributing products (Pride and Ferrell 554). The way companies research and gather information has become faster and more efficient thanks to the net. It is apparent that there are obvious advantages to online marketing for both consumers and businesses alike. As the technology people and businesses continue to use changes almost daily it will become harder to be a smart consumer and businessman. Overall this country and many others have met these new methods of business with open arms. Who can tell what the future will hold for the consumer or the business, but whatever happens the Internet is guaranteed a major role.