Library Research Assignment: Choose 1 Business
Library Research Assignmentyou Are To Select 1 Business That Does Not
Library Research Assignment you are to select one business that does not already have a website, and develop an Internet strategy for it. The assignment involves choosing a small-scale business, such as a local bike store or a sole proprietorship offering services like car repair, house cleaning, or tax preparation, which currently lacks an online presence. You are to analyze how this business can utilize the Internet and social media to achieve its objectives, supported by research from the Internet and the library regarding market and competitor analysis.
Once the business is selected, you need to address specific questions: What Internet business model would be suitable for the company and why? How can the business benefit from having a website? What functions should the website perform, such as marketing, sales, customer support, or internal communications? Additionally, explore other ways the business could leverage the Internet for its benefit.
Prepare functional specifications detailing the company's use of the Web and the Internet, including links to and from other sites within the design. You should also develop a list of technological specifications necessary for implementation, such as hardware and software requirements.
The assignment requires an APA format report with a title page, an abstract summarizing the paper, and the main body (3-4 pages, double-spaced, 12-point Times New Roman). The paper should be written in third-person voice, with appropriate academic citations supporting your analysis. The references must be formatted in APA style with proper formatting and be listed on the final page, and each in-body citation should match a corresponding reference.
Paper For Above instruction
The evolution of the Internet has revolutionized how small businesses operate, providing opportunities for growth, customer engagement, and competitive advantage. For a small-scale business without an existing web presence, developing an effective online strategy is crucial in the digital age. This paper explores how such a business can utilize the Internet and social media to enhance its operations, marketing, sales, and customer service, supported by research and analysis of appropriate business models, technological requirements, and strategic implementation.
Selection of Business and Rationale
The selected business for this Internet strategy is a local bike shop that currently operates solely through traditional means without a website or significant online presence. This business serves a community of cycling enthusiasts and local customers seeking bike repair, sales, and accessories. The rationale for choosing a small, local business is that such enterprises often lack the resources or expertise to develop digital strategies independently. However, establishing an online presence can significantly improve customer engagement, visibility, and sales channels, especially in a competitive market (Chong et al., 2018).
Appropriate Business Model and Justification
The most suitable Internet business model for the bike shop is the "E-commerce" model combined with "Local Business Platform." E-commerce allows the shop to showcase products online, facilitate sales, and accept orders directly through the site. The local business platform model integrates online visibility with physical storefront operations, enabling scheduling, appointment booking, and local advertising (Laudon & Traver, 2016). This hybrid approach aligns with the business size and customer base, providing convenience and expanding reach without overextending resources.
Benefits of a Web Presence
Establishing a website offers multiple benefits to the bike shop. Primarily, it increases visibility within the community and beyond, attracting new customers through search engine optimization (SEO) and online advertising. Additionally, a website can streamline operations by providing information on services, pricing, and store hours, reducing the workload on staff. The site can also serve as a platform for online sales of bikes, accessories, and repair parts, generating additional revenue streams (Zhao et al., 2020). Moreover, a web presence enhances customer support by offering FAQs, contact forms, and scheduling tools, improving customer satisfaction and loyalty.
Essential Website Functions
The website should serve several vital functions for the business:
- Marketing: Featuring promotions, new products, and customer testimonials to attract and retain customers.
- Sales: Facilitating online transactions for bikes, accessories, and repair services.
- Customer Support: Providing contact information, FAQs, and appointment booking for repairs.
- Internal Communications: Supporting inventory management, order processing, and customer relationship management (CRM) integration.
Integration with social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram will enhance engagement and promote the website's content, broadening outreach efforts (Kaplan & Haenlein, 2010).
Additional Internet Uses for Business Advantage
Beyond the website, the bike shop can leverage digital marketing tools such as email marketing, online advertising campaigns, and local SEO strategies. These practices can drive more traffic to the website and physical store. Furthermore, customer reviews and ratings on platforms like Google My Business can boost credibility and attract new clients. Implementing a loyalty program via online channels can foster customer retention, encouraging repeat business (Kim et al., 2021).
Functional and Technological Specifications
The design of the website should adhere to responsive design principles, ensuring accessibility across desktops, tablets, and smartphones. Technical specifications include using a reliable content management system (CMS) such as WordPress or Shopify, which allows easy content updates and e-commerce integration. Hosting should be secured with SSL certificates to protect customer data, and the site should include necessary plugins for SEO, analytics, and security.
Hardware requirements involve a server with sufficient storage and bandwidth to handle online transactions and traffic. The business will need a computer, scanner, and printer for content management, alongside reliable internet connectivity. Software elements include web hosting platforms, security tools, and plugins for marketing automation and customer support (Ong et al., 2018).
Conclusion
Developing an online strategy for a local bike shop involves adopting an integrated e-commerce and local business model that enhances visibility, sales, and customer service. By implementing a well-designed website complemented by active social media engagement and comprehensive technological infrastructure, the business can expand its market reach, improve operational efficiencies, and foster stronger customer relationships. In today’s digital economy, even small enterprises stand to benefit immensely from strategic utilization of the Internet and online platforms.
References
- Chong, A. Y. L., Lo, C. K. Y., & Weng, X. (2018). The impact of electronic commerce on small and medium-sized enterprises: Current practices and future prospects. International Journal of Information Management, 44, 121-135.
- Kim, D., Ko, E., & Kim, M. (2021). The influence of social media marketing activities on brand loyalty in small businesses. Journal of Business Research, 124, 161-173.
- Kaplan, A. M., & Haenlein, M. (2010). Users of the world, unite! The challenges and opportunities of social media. Business Horizons, 53(1), 59-68.
- Laudon, K. C., & Traver, C. G. (2016). E-commerce: Business, technology, society (12th ed.). Pearson.
- Kim, S., Kim, D., & Kim, M. (2021). Enhancing customer engagement through digital marketing strategies: Insights from small business cases. Journal of Marketing Analytics, 9(2), 110-122.
- Ong, C. E., Tan, B., & Lee, J. (2018). Small business digital transformation: Challenges and strategies. Journal of Business & Technology, 122(3), 205-223.
- Zhao, Y., Liu, S., & Fan, Y. (2020). Online retail and customer service: Strategies for small business success. International Journal of Retail & Distribution Management, 48(2), 119-134.