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A recent survey byGoDaddysought to understand exactly how consumer expectations are matching up with small business reality.
Thats pretty shocking, right?
Ive spent over a decade working for and with small businesses.
But does this stat surprise me?
Very few small business owners ask themselves whether their hard work is directly benefiting the customer.
Fewer still ask whether their hard work could benefit their customers more if it were to be directed elsewhere.
Business failure or unrealistically high standards?
But is it really all small businesses' fault?
Could it just be that consumers' expectations are totally unrealistic?
Other statistics from the same study can tell us something about this.
Free shipping may be common, but for many small businesses, it isnt all that easy.
Small businesses must do better
Other stats paint a different picture.
I mean, come on!
Website buildershave made it easier than ever for businesses to get online.
Plus, almost all the website builders on the market offer at least some level of ecommerce functionality.
As for a small business not sharing its story?
Why…on…earth?
Big businesses can compete with the small guys on almost every level.
They can afford faster shipping, deliver smoother customer support, and undertake extensive customer research.
But where they struggle to compete is in making a real, personal connection with their customers.
For most small businesses,telling your story is the best way to gain a competitive edge.
It is literally what sets you apart from the big boys.
It makes me wonder.
If small businesses aren’t meeting consumer expectations, why are they still shopping there?
Id say, although unhappy with some aspects, consumers still see the benefit of buying from small businesses.
Will this change because of a small amount of perceived inconvenience?
There is no hiding from the fact that small businesses have it hard.
