SherWeb

Not only has the Internet affected our personal lives in fundamental ways but its also affected businesses as well.  Changing the way we communicate, research, manage clients with an online CRM, shop and are entertained, the Internet is increasingly becoming a way of life and businesses have little choice but to improve their web-savvy or get KO-ed by online industries. Here are some of the industries being hit particularly hard by the world wide web.

Watchmakers

Approximately 60 percent of the global population uses a mobile phone, and with kids, the question is not whether they will get a cell phone, but when. As people compulsively check their phones for the time, new messages, missed calls, watches have become more of a fashion accessory than a means of telling time.

Print Newspapers

Getting the news is quick and easy thanks to the umpteen number of news sites, social networks and blogs, which have rapidly been taking over the news industry. Print newspapers are more expensive to produce than online news, and in light of the current economic downturn, many newspapers have shut down while others are finding it difficult to stay afloat.

Map-makers

Mapmaker, mapmaker make me a map…On second thought, let’s substitute the hassle of large, awkward and confusing maps, for easy-to-use, highly sophisticated and free internet maps offered by Bing and Google that will tell you exactly how to get there instead. The scientific, technological and artistic aspects of developing and producing maps have majorly shifted online.

Record Stores

Record shops are perhaps one the most drastically affected industries due to the prevalence of the net. Of course there will always be diehard music collectors keeping record stores alive, however the majority of people turn to torrent sites to download music for free.

Print shops

With the advancements in home printer technology, programs such as photoshop, and tools such as Picassa, Flickr, Picnik and Snapfish that offer us instant results, local print shops are increasingly becoming a thing of the past.

Gay Bars

Thanks to gay chat and dating sites, “picking-up” can happen from the comforts of your home. In the late 90′s, GLBT websites like PlanetOut.com,  and Gay.com took an early lead in what would become a global phenomenon. Gay bars have seen a drop in attendance not only because of the Internet but also because their very reason for existing is diminished, with the increase in alternative-oriented clubs. In fact, the rise of the Internet has affected gays as well as straights in an almost equal fashion.

Used Bookstores

More and more bookshops are closing from year to year because small business owners can’t compete with internet platforms such as Amazon. Moreover, e-readers like the Kindle and the iPad will present yet another obstacle to the lone bookstore owner.

Sex Shops

No need to worry about walking into a sex shop and having to ask where you can find the butt plugs or fist dongs, the Internet makes those humiliating interactions comfortably anonymous. Plus, there is a plethora of free porn to be found on the net.

Auctioneers

eBay is the most popular brand online and also the most powerful online marketplace these days. With just a few simple clicks, a virtual private server, a reliable PayPal system, it has quickly taken over the auction industry.

Pawnshops

Thanks to Craigslist, your trash can become someone else’s treasure! Look, you can even sell kids and babies! Actually, it’s kids and baby “stuff”, but that isn’t clear until you click.

Travel Agencies

Planning a vacation has never been so easy, with great sites that help you book the cheapest flights available, plus you can find web forums to discuss the places you are interested in visiting and get feedback from people all around the world.