How Small Businesses Are Losing Money by Not Advertising Online

As an Internet geek, I am immersed in the latest and greatest websites, technologies, and ideas on the Internet on a daily basis. But people like my parents, friends, and clients are largely restricted to searching Google, using Facebook, checking email, and buying things online.

Some of these people run businesses and don't do any online advertising. For some businesses Internet ads aren't a fit, but for others they don't do it simply because they don't understand it. Below are some simple ways that small businesses can get online.

1. Get a website. Believe it or not, many small business contractors don't have a website. They generate all their business from a Yellow Pages listing and word of mouth. Websites are cheap now. You can get a simple templated website for under $250. Just search Google for "website templates" or "website design."

2. Try Google Adwords. Google offers a simple way to advertise on Google searches when people are looking for your service. My favorite part is that it's performance based. You only pay when someone clicks the ad. Tip: Put your phone number in the ad. Some people will call it without clicking the ad and you won't have to pay for that lead.

3. Try business listing websites. Google the words "business directory" or your service and see what sites come up. You should be able to find some sites where you can list yourself for free or inexpensively.

There are also many free avenues to get exposure online such as professional networking or free classifieds websites. You can list your services on these sites for free. There are dozens of others. Just Google "Free Classifieds" or "Free Business Listing."

These steps may sound simple to the Internet savvy, but those still learning the nuances of the Internet will find these tips the first steps into a wide open world of business opportunity on the web.