Ecommerce presenting golden opportunity for small businesses

Electronic payment sales surged past $1 trillion in 2012, according to a recent eMarketer report, and those numbers could continue to grow for a long time. 

These new platforms are offering unprecedented opportunities for small businesses, as they can attract customers across the country or the globe. However, the key will be for them to implement top-notch online payment strategies.

"The truth is that with all of the recent advances in technology, customers expect more," Tallya Rabinovich, CEO of Izzonet.com, said in a recent interview. "An impersonal, poorly designed website may actually be worse than no website at all, as it will have a negative impact on the brand's image both on and offline."

In a recent blog for Small Business Trends, Phillip Klien, CEO of SiteApps, made a similar suggestion with regard to online strategies. At the same time, he advocated that companies keep their websites as sophisticated as possible. Simple, yet inexpensive tools are available these days, but functionality should still be the key. 

Klien also advised small business owners to get a head start on mobile payments, which he said exploded onto the scene in 2012. Rabinovich offered similar advice, noting that ecommerce websites will only be successful if they "look as good and work as well on mobile devices."