Food for Thought

At this point, you should have a good understanding of what the Internet and World Wide Web are, how they work, who uses them, and how they're used. Now take a moment to think about what you've learned and how you can apply it to your situation.

These questions should help you put things in perspective. To share your answers with others or see what other readers have come up with, visit the book's companion Web site at http://www.smallbusinessonweb.com/.

• Consider the Internet features listed earlier in this chapter. How could you use each of these features to help you expand your business or save money (or both)? You'll get some answers to this question throughout this book ”after all, that's what the book is about. But this is a good opportunity to begin thinking of your specific situation.

• Review the discussion of who uses the Internet. Which of these groups do your customers fall into? How likely are they to have Internet access?

• Think about the six categories of Internet users covered in the McKinsey and Media Metrix survey. Which of the categories do you fit into? How about a few of the Internet surfers you know? How do you think your Web site could benefit each of these groups?