According to Jupiter Research, half of all small businesses with less than 10 employees do not have a website. 7 out of 10 solo businesses do not have a website.

So you must get your business online, there's no question about it. Having a website is as essential today as having business cards or a telephone number.

So the question really is, how do you do it easily and affordably?

There are three ways, but for most small businesses, the third is almost always the best:

1. Hire a web developer
2. Use a software-creation program
3. Use an online service

Online services are great because, not only do they point and click you through an easy process, but the best ones will also help you grow your business.

Can you do e-commerce if you are not online? Nope. Can customers who hear about you check you out later on the Net if you don't have a site? No again. Can current customers (like I was) find out what your new offerings are if you lack a site? Not easily.

And is it hard to get one? Happily, the answer again is no, in fact it's easier than ever. The point is, today, there is no reason for any small business not to be on the online, and not just online, but online in a professional, powerful way. That way, when a customer wants to find your menu of products, they will. If not, they'll go somewhere else.

The advantage to have a website (either personal or business website), people will find your website and reach you no matter where they are in the world.