Internet Levels Playing Field for Small Retailers During the Holidays

Five years ago, the design team that runs the online website scarebaby.com could never have competed in the bricks and mortar marketplace with such giants as WalMart and JC Penney. But the Internet has changed all that, and created enormous opportunity for sales and growth for even the smallest company. With online sales increasing over last year by 23%, according to one source (comScore Networks), small businesses like scarebaby.com are taking advantage of the relatively level playing field that is the web.

"Our expansion is limited only by our imagination," says Holly Hertzel, owner of Scarebaby Design. "With limited marketing and advertising budgets, we can still achieve excellent sales by offering items consumers could never find in the mall. Take, for example, our line of aviation-related merchandise. It's unique artwork you won't find anywhere else. And the Internet allows us to offer it to consumers at competetive prices. With good search engine placement, we can reach online shoppers at a minimal cost. This is good for us, and good for consumers, since a low advertising budget keeps our markups low."

While online sales grow by leaps and bounds every year, the art and science of online marketing is still in its infancy. Companies that continue to learn and grow along with the new innovations can experience great growth. It's a formula for success that is good for everyone.

Scarebaby.com is an online retailer affiliated with CafePress. Scarebaby sells unique artwork on apparel, mugs, stickers, posters, and other merchandise.
The website is at www.scarebaby.com .