Keeping up with technology has got to be one of the most difficult things to do these days. As soon as something new and groundbreaking appears, we take that information and run with it.

So why is it so many people are still afraid to take the leap and move their business online? If you hesitate in bringing your business to the worldwide sphere, you'll only get farther and farther away from representing it at it's maximum potential. Don't let your business look like a thing of the past, if you want to continue to get customers today.

We have been in this new age of technology and information for quite some time now, and it only continues at supersonic speed. It's not anything we can tame, so the best thing we can do is keep up with it. That is unless you'd rather live like a nomad, and if that's the case, then cheers to you my friend!

But staying on the topic of progression, the question we're left with is how do we stay current? Well, for a business owner, having a website today, is like the new phone book. Everyone has one, though some are unnecessary, but the only way to even compete on the same playing field is to participate.

Websites are like your online business card, but with more. For people to easily learn more information about your business, they just check your website. If someone's curious about particular services in the area, they search on Google. And once again, you showing up on Google as a relevant result comes down to having a website, or a space for your business online.

But enough of my opinions, what are the facts?

Since 2011, Google has actually launched it's new initiative Let's Put Our Cities On The Map in order to help businesses across all 50 states, in 30,000 separate U.S. cities, get more publicity. According to Google's page, 4 out of 5 people are searching for businesses addresses, phone numbers, and other critical information, yet only 37% of businesses have claimed a local business listing on a search engine.

What's this mean?

A lot of businesses aren't getting the recognition they need online, in order to stay in business.

This is just one avenue you can use to get your business out there, and it's completely free to create your listing. Talk about people really trying to make an impact. If you're interested in learning more about the program, they list everything on their page.

At this point it should be easy to recognize how valuable it is in making your own web presence for your business online, but if it still hasn't sunk in, I'll leave you with one more thing.

According to a BCG Report in March 2012 titled "The Connected World: The $4.2 Trillion Opportunity," businesses that are online grow 40% faster than those that aren't.

It's time to enter the new age, and reap the benefits of modern day technology.

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