A few years ago, I used the paper telephone book to look up everything, from addresses and phone numbers of friends, to references to contractors and vendors I wanted to do business with.

A new survey today shows the rapid acceleration to the Internet as a source of information.

Consumers, just like me, are turning to search engines 82% of the time to find information about local businesses. However, only 44% of small businesses have a website. That leaves a gulf of unmet need.

Many times I have turned to the ‘Net to find a vendor, such as the critter remover I used last year to cause a squirrel family to decamp from my attic. The reason I used the company I did was that they were the only ones who had a website that was credible and then were responsive to my inquiry via e-mail.

Many a small business person believes wrongly that they cannot profit from a well designed solid information site. They think that the Internet is for big businesses. Clearly, that belief is one that is no longer valid.

Of the 44% of small businesses who have a web presence, not all of their sites are searchable or optimized. Consumers are often frustrated in their search for local businesses on the internet.

There are many web developers and designers who are local and capable of building a solid, optimized site using readily available Open Source solutions such as WordPress customized for the business. This allows the business owner to keep their site updated, fresh and alive, to quickly manage content and to send out their current specials and promotions to their site’s subscribers.

When you as a small business owner begin to evaluate where to place your dear advertising dollars, take into account the statistics below.

Usage of Yellow Page print directories, newspapers, and magazines are declining just as are radio and direct mail. The time is now for small businesses to find their place on the Internet beginning with their own website, and digital advertising such as local internet search portals.