The internet has undoubtedly changed how small businesses reach customers and sell goods. No longer limited to the immediate area around a physical storefront, e-commerce has enabled small sellers to serve customers regionally and globally cheaper and easier than ever before. Our recent research documents that brick-and-mortar and traditional wholesale are still, on average, the most popular sales methods for small sellers overall, but for rural small businesses, online sales methods are disproportionately crucial -- and the most popular. This should be meaningful to economic development officials promoting local businesses and Members of Congress considering digital economy legislation.
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