It seems like you can find whatever you want online, doesn’t it?
You can order just about anything from Amazon. You can buy food and clothing and have them delivered to your home.
The options for what can be accomplished with the click of a mouse are truly impressive.
While most people are excited at the ease of online shopping, others are concerned these options can have a detrimental effect on the success of the small, local businesses within their communities.
Do you think this is true?
If you haven’t formed your opinion yet, let’s take a look at an example: Printing services in Atlanta.
Should you choose affordable printing services online, or should you invest in the services of a local, brick and mortar printing company in Atlanta?
What Is Online Printing and Why Are So Many People Attracted to It?
When most people think of affordable printing services, they think of online services.
The reason for this is two-fold.
First, they’re under the impression online services are automatically cheaper. After all, they probably don’t have the same overhead a brick and mortar company has.
These companies can also outsource their work to cheaper companies instead of paying employees to do the work and having to pay extra taxes each year.
Second, consumers feel like ordering services online will be faster. All you have to do is browse, point, and click – and you’re done!
Millions of consumers choose to make online purchases each year, including printing services. But is this really the best option? Are they truly saving as much time and money as they think they are?
Why Local Printing Services Is the Better Option
Here are just a few reasons why you might want to re-think your plan to invest in online printing services. After reviewing them, you might decide your best bet is to hire a local printing company.
Local Businesses Might Actually Be Cheaper
Online businesses tend to advertise they’re the cheaper option. This isn’t true 100% of the time.
In fact, at times, there are price discrepancies between brick and mortar stores and online stores – even within the same company. The store might sell an item for one price in the store and list it for another price online.
We’re not quite sure why they do this, though we have a couple of theories.
Since so many people like to shop online for convenience, the store can make extra profit off of selling items for higher prices online.
Another reason is because people automatically assume the online price is cheaper. Instead of price checking in person, they automatically head online and pay the price, which may very well be more expensive.
Online Services Aren’t Always Faster
Like we mentioned before, a lot of people think all you have to do is point and click. But this is not always the case.
Oftentimes, in order to offer lower prices, the company asks the customer to do more work.
For example, they may have to act as a graphic designer and format their own business cards or flyers. Some people aren’t really good at this, so it ends up taking a really long time.
Others simply don’t like to do it or don’t have time to do it.
Paying a local printing company to do the work for you will take a big load off of your shoulders.
Online Print Stores Aren’t Always Available to Do Rush Orders
One of the great things about local printing services is they’re more likely to offer rush orders. Many online companies can’t really promise this type of service because they can’t control shipping issues, like weather and volume – especially around winter holidays, like Christmas.
Local Atlanta companies, however, are better equipped to offer these types of services. They may cost more, but the price is worth it when you get your product exactly when you need it.
The Affordability of a Service Depends on More than the Actual Cost
When thinking about their bottom line, most companies choose the more affordable option.
The reality is, though, you have to take a closer look. It’s not all about the actual cost of the product you’re purchasing or the service you’re investing in.
There’s way more involved.
Investing in local printing services can actually save you time and money because you get to talk with a real person who is nearby. You get to explain in depth your concerns and ask as many questions as you want.
Small businesses have more to prove. Their success depends on word-of-mouth recommendations from their customers.
Therefore, their reputation is on the line.
This moves them to offer more personalized service, and this can definitely benefit your business and your bottom line.