According to Blue Corona, a data-driven online marketing and analytics company, between 70 to 80% of people research a company online before visiting a small business or making a purchase with them. Inaccurate business information can negatively affect sales, growth and the overall health of the business.

With that in mind, please remember to check your website, social media platforms and business profile on major online directories to verify that your name, address, phone number, website, operating hours and products/services are correct. Candice Stennett, vice president of marketing at SCORE, recommends doing quarterly reviews of website and online channels to ensure everything is up to date, working correctly and still relevant.

Tinley Park has more than 1,000 businesses, many of them small. We recognize that our small businesses are the fabric of our society and appreciate the contributions they make by creating jobs, developing a strong community and driving our local economy. Thank you for letting us be a part of your National Small Business Week. If you have any questions, email Carolyn Mitera at cmitera@tinleypark.org. Here's to your continued success!