E-commerce competition

Technologically, it is actually possible for a small business to compete with a large company through the use of e-commerce, if by compete you mean being able to present your offerings for sale to a global marketplace just as a big business does. Indeed, a global Internet presence with e-commerce capability is not difficult and, relatively speaking, not that expensive to establish for any size business.

But if by compete you mean, your small business becomes a threat to a big business, probably not. Because even though the Internet does level the playing field, and does offer advantages to small companies in ways never before possible, a small business typically won't have the huge marketing budget required to capture the attention of a global audience. "Having a presence" and "capturing the attention" are two different things.

The good news for small businesses is that 21st century technology creates more opportunity to grow sales revenue and profits more efficiently than ever before. So don't worry about competing with the big guys. If you seek the highest level of market penetration that you can with the capital you have, you'll be successful and have more fun than the big guys.