One of the great benefits of the Web is that it can help broaden your customer base at a relatively low cost. As more and more people get access to the Internet and become confident Web users, the potential to expand customer-bases will increase proportionally.
For figures on how many Australians are currently using the Internet, click on this link to DCITA's report Current State of Play http://www.dcita.gov.au/communications_for_business/industry_development/statistical_benchmarking/csop
Effective use of email and an appropriately designed and promoted website can attract new customers and open new markets for products and services by providing:
- affordable access to customers the world over
- a means by which to communicate with people for whom English is not their native language
- access to your products and services for people with a disability who may not have had access to them when distributed by traditional means - eg a shop-front.
A number of online market places have been created in Australia and elsewhere that match up suppliers and buyers. They work by creating a website featuring a common catalogue to which suppliers add their products, and from which buyers can search and select the best product. Joining an appropriate market place (often called e-marketplaces) as a supplier can provide cheap access to many more buyers than an average small business could hope to reach on its own.
Find out more by researching on the Web (try http://www.yellowpages.com.au) Visit e-marketplace websites such as: http://www.google.com Enter a phrase such as: e-marketplaces in Australia http://www.marketboomer.com - a commercial provider of an e-marketplace http://www.cyberlynx.com.au - a commercial provider of an e-marketplace
Next topic in this section >>
Understanding - What are the benefits? - Reach more customers and markets 
