With the huge part that the internet plays in our day to day life, it’s easy to forget that it only launched in the 1970s. Since its conception, the internet has shaken the whole world, and changed the way we do almost anything. One of the biggest changes is the way the internet has impacted business. Here are some of the most significant ways it’s done this.

Global Market
First of all, the internet has made the global market much more accessible. A few decades ago, if you wanted to open a business, your options would be very limited. You would have had to buy a premises and equipment, and advertise in local newspapers and magazines if you wanted to start turning a profit. Now, anyone with a device and an internet connection can do it.

Obviously, there’s some investment involved. However, once you have a good platform, and some extras like a responsive Shopify theme, the world’s your oyster! Larger corporations have certainly benefited from the internet, but not so much as new entrepreneurs. If you’ve got dedication and stock, then you’re all set to be a CEO!

Business Networking
Networking has also become a lot easier since the launch of the internet. This is especially true in recent years. Ever since the first emails, the world has gotten so much smaller, and business owners haven’t been letting this pass them by. These days, with the rise of cloud technology, it’s not uncommon for a British business to have employees in Jamaica or Kenya. Telecommuting is nothing new, but these days it’s bigger than ever.

If there’s one venture which has been at the forefront of business networking, then it’s LinkedIn. This social network has let business owners find talent from all over the world, and offer them opportunities which they wouldn’t have had otherwise. This has also made it much easier to work self-employed, and take outsourced work from larger businesses.

Digital Marketing
Finally, marketing. While the internet has tweaked almost everything to do with business, it’s completely warped marketing. In traditional marketing, all the best spots; billboards, large magazine ads, were occupied by large corporations. This has all changed. With the variety of digital marketing techniques which have become widespread, it’s possible for the tiniest start-up to get seen everywhere. The massive shift we’ve seen in marketing is something of a double-edged sword though.

In 2016, businesses are far more accountable to their customers. This means that they’re expected to answer any queries or complaints through social media almost as soon as they happen. The emergence of social media has also meant that leaks and scandals are a much bigger danger to companies. News has never spread so fast in the history of the world! Whether you see this is a great thing or an inconvenient truth, it’s certainly significant.

There you have the three biggest ways the internet has affected business. Of course, the list could go on and on. As we move into the future and new technology is released, it will be intriguing to see how the global market changes.