There are a lot of things that seem like they would be or just plain are intimidating in life, such asking your girlfriend’s father for her hand in marriage, asking out that cute guy you’ve been eying for months, walking into your boss’s office and asking for that raise you know that you deserve, and telling your stepmom you guys can’t make it over for the holidays this year, are common examples of some of the intimidating things that life can throw your way. But perhaps the most intimidating thing of all is spreading your little wings and following your dream of opening up a business of all your own.

Small businesses are anything but small. In fact, they’re becoming big business and are some of fastest growing ventures in the United States in beyond. Entrepreneurship is truly at an all time high, with more and more entrepreneurs opening their own businesses now more than ever. It’s become incredibly common for people of all ages, both millennials and those much older, to quit their humdrum day job and pursue their dream of becoming their own boss by opening their own business.

But while today’s modern business owners have a lot on their side that makes owning, operating, and starting a new small business easier than ever before, it’s also harder in many ways. Simply put, good ol’ fashioned customer service isn’t good enough anymore. Though it’s still very much relevant and plays an important part in operating a success business, today’s modern business owners have to use a lot more than word of mouth to spread the good word about their business.

The advent of the internet is a huge part of why so many entrepreneurs are empowered to open small businesses nowadays. But aside from being a catalyst, it’s also an important tool and resource business owners can use to market their business. Perhaps the biggest part, and greatest challenge, of owning and operating a successful business is knowing how to make internet marketing services work for you. Internet marketing services is an umbrella term used to describe of variety of internet marketing techniques, including search engine optimization marketing, content marketing services, web development, social media marketing, and more.

Using, or ignoring, internet marketing services can literally make or break a business. Although they were first regarded as modern day snake oil, people are rarely think this way now and regard internet marketing services as the key to running a successful business, in addition to keeping up with traditional brick and mortar efforts such as customer service. After all, your business could offer the best product or service but if no one knows about it, then your business can and will quickly sink.

Many business owners attempt to do their own internet marketing services, but unless that actually is your business or you’re an expert in that field, then it’s recommended to seek a professional firm or individual to handle this for you. After all, you’re an expert in your field, so why not hire someone who is an expert in internet marketing services? This frees up your precious time, allowing you to focus on other important aspects of running your business, such as its day to day operations and serving your customers.

The variety of benefits that internet marketing services offer are seemingly endless, but some of the most important benefits include reach, better, more meaningful customer relationships, and a rock solid online presence that will reinforce your business’s physical one — that is, if you have one. Just think about the convenience of internet marketing services. It’s almost as if you can make money in your sleep — and you can, especially if you have an online store. Not only can customers interact and get up close and personal with your brand via your social media outlets, but they can also browse and shop for your products and services around the clock. This makes it easy to increase your return on investment.