Do you think most businesses can make it without embracing technology of today?

Question

I know a few people who are not using cell phones, email or having active websites and trying to have a business. They are resisting modern day technology and still using snail mail. They are disconnected with what is going on in the outside world. They are trying to run a business like this.

Do you think that a business other than a restaurant or perhaps a drop in tourist attraction can contiunue to to function well without an active web site?

I am always looking for websites of places even restuarants because they are great for after hours and take the place of impatient employees. If I do not find a web site I usually move on to another place that does have one.

What do you think? Is it essential to have an on-line presence these days?

Teef,
My family gets mad at me because I thow away my phone book all the time. I just use the web. I wish I could opt out on the phone book so they could save the paper. I have ended up saving it in another room for house guests and emergency in case the computer crashes. I see no need for it. I look everything up on the computer.

Well I never thought I would buy online, but that was back when the imiages were horrible and not photos. Now I buy on line all the time. I do not really need catalogs if the web site is easy to navigate. If they do not design their website well with connecting search terms I need a catalog. If they do not photography well I need a catalog. I do not know what is cheaper, but I would imagine it would be cheaper to design a good website that to print tons of catalogs.

I like to read books like novels, but for reference reading like an encyclopedia or dictonary I am fine with the net. If it is long reading like for a text book I want a hard copy.

I am pretty much into the net for everything. I do not have to deal with stores being out of everything. I can get my size in the color I like. I can read about inseams so I do not have to try on everything. I purchase brands I know how they fit. Gas is so expensive now shipping does not matter and some offer free shipping.

I can even do the post office online with a simple dietary scale and with my body scale. It is so easy.

Well the person I am talking about who does not want to ebrace technology is selling a really obsecure product that is not something that everyone needs. She really needs to branch out all over the world because her product is so obscure.

Answer 1

10 years ago it was a novelty that made no difference to a business. Nowadays I believe it is highly desirable but not essential for non-techie businesses to have a web site. I think it may be as much as another 10 years before it becomes necessary.

I think eventually Phone Companies will dump phone books in favour of internet searches. That will increase the value of a web site. Otherwide a business would be faced with only expensive media advertising, or word of mouth.

I find it hard to imagine even now not having a mobile phone or email. Internet access helps a business a lot!

Answer 2

As you hinted at, it would entirely depend on the size of the business and whether they wanted to expand.

Small Mum & Pop businesses (I'm sure) will forever manage without the technology.

Any other business that wants to compete in the market place or expand into a larger arena don't really have a choice.
Their clients, suppliers and other contacts etc. will all expect them to have (at the very least) a fax and mobile.

As they expand they will need a presence on the net.

Answer 3

I like a hard copy catalog over going through a darn website any day. However I prefer ordering online.

Answer 4

No, it is difficult now a day, unless they are in urban area. Small shop that serve regular customers only, they can still do it without embracing new technology, otherwise forget about not embracing the technology.