Is It Time to Prepare Your Business for an Online Revolution?

Image Source – Pixabay

Running a business can be tough at the best of times, so when things are going well you are undoubtedly entitled to enjoy the moment. However, it is also important to not rest on your laurels. After all, the world of business can move quickly and, for many, it has become an international affair with a global audience, so it is useful to think about how you could develop or grow your operations. One avenue that businesses of all sizes should keep tabs on is the online world, as the internet has created a whole host of opportunities for different organizations in recent years.

Surprising findings

Discussing how online services could benefit a business might seem obvious in this day and age, but it is a message worth repeating considering the findings of a recent study. The report published by Top Design Firms this month rather surprisingly revealed that 28 per cent of small businesses do not have a website. In terms of those that do, the study found that many had a focus on improving their existing online pages, with 43 per cent looking to boost performance and page speed across this year. Just over a third also intend to optimize for a mobile website, while 17 per cent are looking to integrate voice search. Taking such steps is undoubtedly positive, but it is worth adding that there is much more to having an online presence these days than simply showcasing what you do.

Embracing online

In fact, it could be argued that many different sectors have been revolutionized by embracing the full potential of what being online has to offer. For instance, retail has been transformed in recent years, as people can buy all kinds of products online and have them delivered straight to their doors. Amazon is of course a big name in this area and last year Variety reported on how it now has more than 150 million Prime members all over the world. What about the travel industry as well? Rather than visiting travel agents, consumers can now head online and book their own accommodation and flights themselves. IATA also outlines how e-ticketing has become a key part of flying, with paper tickets becoming a thing of the past.

Another sector that has made a successful leap into the online space is casino gaming, which has also embraced the possibilities offered by new technology. A good example of this is the rise of live casino gaming, which makes use of streaming technology to bring real-life action directly to players. Sites like Betway highlight how variations of classic games have been adapted into the format, while the technology has even spawned other experiences too. The likes of Dream Catcher and Deal or No Deal have a more gameshow-style feel when compared to traditional pastimes like roulette or blackjack. Finally, no discussion of sectors being transformed by the online space would be complete without a reference to TV and film streaming. The area has become big business, as Disney’s recent results show quite clearly. It was revealed that its Disney+ service had 94.9 million paid subscribers as of January 2^nd this year.

A new twist

Image Credit – Pixabay

With that in mind, it may be worth considering whether you can use such success stories as inspiration as you look to boost your business. Could online innovations and new technologies bring a fresh twist to your offering? Some small businesses appear to be investigating this, if the aforementioned study by Top Design Firms is anything to go by. It found that 30 per cent of respondents are looking to use more video on their websites this year, while 19 per cent are even considering the prospect of introducing virtual reality elements to bring their products and services to life. Other approaches that could prove useful include using social media to engage with specific audiences, as well as considering the development of a mobile app. Last year, Marketing Dive also reported on a study by The 614 Group, which found that many media and marketing professionals expect virtual events to remain popular in the future.

Many possibilities

While what you can do will be dependent on your circumstances and industry, it is clear that the online space offers many possibilities these days. Business leaders always have plenty on their plate, but taking the time to consider how you could boost your operations with online tools seems like a very wise step. Even if you are performing well at present, embracing such innovations could take your work even further.