Gas Prices and Internet Access

As gas prices rise the cost of accessing the internet has fallen. Over the last few years the cost for accessing the internet has dropped due to competition between dial up, cable and DSL providers. What difference does this make? It could make a big difference if fewer people are willing to make the trip to your physical location due to the cost of fuel. However, cheaper internet access makes it easier for people to visit your website.

The other day a business man told me that a group of companies that purchase from him won't even consider his products unless they can view specs and information about his products online first. The companies have decided that this saves them time and money. They eliminate potential providers based upon whether or not they meet certain standards and if those standards can be found on their websites. Are they doing this to save gas, I doubt it in this case, but with fuel prices rising this scenario may begin repeating itself.

As gas prices soar your website may become even more important to your potential customers. Providing more information online will become essential to gaining new prospects. Providing .PDF and or Flash paper brochures and spec sheets online can satisfy the customers need to know and reduce your paper costs. Satisfied customers and reduced costs sound like a win-win situation to me.