Comments on: Solving the small business website problem

By: Blogger blogs still work for small business

Blogger blogs still work for small business — Thu, 19 Jun 2014 13:24:31 +0000

[…] talked about the small business website problem before. I think many more small businesses would benefit from having their own web presence, even […]

By: What is your website for?

What is your website for? — Fri, 22 Mar 2013 03:56:43 +0000

[…] week Becky ranted about the classic small business website problem. She highlighted the number of options and opportunities for small businesses to get a website […]

By: Becky McCray

Becky McCray — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 18:35:42 +0000

Lance, glad to hear you’ve selected a narrow niche and that it is working for you.

By: Lance Cummins

Lance Cummins — Wed, 12 Jan 2011 15:44:19 +0000

Becky,
Thank you for your work at helping small businesses and towns connect with technology in a useful way. I have just recently moved to the South Shore of Boston, in Rockland, Massachusetts, and I have been thinking some of these same thoughts about this area.

So, when I started my business, NearlyFreeLance.com, I decided to just focus on helping those small businesses in the small towns across the South Shore by basically becoming a partner with them in marketing themselves in all outlets. I have really been pleasantly surprised with the response so far.

Keep up the great blogging!

By: Becky McCray

Becky McCray — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 13:39:36 +0000

Shaleen, here's my experience: when you find an appropriately narrow niche, these complaints about price dry up. That's because you are dealing only with the select few who are highly motivated, eager even, to have exactly what you offer. Until then, continue to narrow down your niche. It may help to read some examples from the photography business about selecting a niche. Check the comments, too, for the underwater wedding photography example.

By: Shaleen Shah

Shaleen Shah — Tue, 30 Nov 2010 11:46:49 +0000

You know what’s sad about small businesses wanting to have a website? They don’t understand that having an online presence is more than just a domain name and a cool-looking site. Then, they will start complaining about how much it really costs to have an online presence that engages their target audience out there. I guess, I’m ranting too.

By: Becky McCray

Becky McCray — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 21:07:24 +0000

Denise, you're absolutely right about size. You can define your niche by sales, by employees, or any other measure of size that works for you.

SMBs, and my other favorite is SMEs. Let's kill that term, too.

By: Denise O'Berry

Denise O'Berry — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 21:03:38 +0000

Well said Becky. I’ll add that if you are narrowing a niche, you need to include size. Since the SBA considers businesses with up to 500 employees to be “small” that can include a whole universe of companies, so people should get more specific when defining the niche. And while we’re at it, could we please stop calling them SMBs. I hate that. :)

By: Becky McCray

Becky McCray — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 20:08:31 +0000

Andy, that may be my next rant: what is your small business website FOR?

By: Andy Hayes | Travel Online Partners

Andy Hayes | Travel Online Partners — Sun, 28 Nov 2010 19:40:49 +0000

I love it when you rant :-)

I'm not sure why, but the phrase "websites are like free kittens, not free beer" popped in to mind, paraphrasing our good friend Sheila.

I get a lot of people who think that a website (or a new website), will solve all their problems. But when you ask folks what their website is for, nobody seems to have an answer.

If you're having trouble getting customers, that's a problem with YOUR MARKETING, not with a website (or lack thereof).

I also love "Small Business is not a niche." Bingo. Can someone please tell the tech startup world this?