Did you know that the number of web users around the globe has grown four-fold over the past decade? As of May 2013, the number of global web users had grown to more than 2.5 billion. As one might guess, this has made a considerable impact within the arena of online commerce arena, particularly within the retail sector.

As a result of ever-increasing online sales, the total of all online retail sales during 2012 exceeded $200 billion for the first time. At the current growth rate, economists project that retailers will generate an estimated $325 billion by 2016. From a business perspective the writing is on the wall. The fact that more and more sales transactions will take place online means that small businesses across all industries must prepare themselves for increased online competition.

Although the internet is rife with marketing opportunities for small businesses and start-ups, only those businesses that can distinguish themselves from their competitors will have a chance to c