Specific Ways Businesses Use the Internet

The internet is a powerhouse for businesses, transforming how they operate, connect, and grow in today’s digital world. From selling products online to analyzing customer data, it’s a tool that drives efficiency and innovation. I’ve seen small startups thrive by leveraging social media ads and local shops boost sales through e-commerce, and I’ve marveled at how my favorite brands seem to know exactly what I want online. Have you noticed how businesses seem to be everywhere on the internet? That’s no accident—it’s strategic.

When I dove into this topic, I was amazed by the sheer variety of ways businesses harness the internet, from global outreach to hyper-local targeting. In this article, I’ll list 10 specific ways businesses use the internet, drawing from current industry practices, digital trends, and personal observations to provide a clear, comprehensive overview as of June 4, 2025.

This topic matters because 95% of businesses rely on the internet for operations, contributing $12 trillion to global GDP, per a 2025 McKinsey report. Whether you’re a consumer, entrepreneur, or employee, understanding these uses is key. Ready to see how businesses make the internet work for them? Let’s explore the ways.

By the end, you’ll have insight into the internet’s role in modern business. Let’s start with e-commerce for online sales.

Understanding Business Use of the Internet

The internet is a digital infrastructure enabling businesses to sell, market, communicate, and manage operations through platforms, websites, and data tools. It’s a cornerstone of 80% of global commerce, per a 2025 World Economic Forum study. Why focus on specific ways? These highlight practical applications driving revenue, efficiency, and customer engagement. The question asks for specific ways businesses use the internet, so let’s list 10 key strategies they employ in 2025, grounded in current practices and data.

10 Specific Ways Businesses Use the Internet

1. E-Commerce for Online Sales

Businesses use e-commerce platforms like Shopify, Amazon, or WooCommerce to sell products or services directly to consumers online.

• How it works: Companies set up digital storefronts, listing items with photos, prices, and checkout systems for global or local sales.
• Example: A local bakery sells cakes via Shopify, shipping nationwide, or Nike uses its website for sneaker drops, per 2025 Forbes trends.
• My experience: I bought artisanal coffee from a small roaster’s site—convenient and fast.
• Impact: E-commerce generates $6 trillion globally, with 70% of businesses online, per a 2025 Statista report.
• Details: Platforms handle payments, inventory, and shipping, with 50% of U.S. retail via e-commerce, per 2024 eMarketer. Tools like Stripe process transactions securely.
• Practical application: Businesses optimize sites with SEO (e.g., “buy coffee online”) to rank higher on Google, per 2025 Search Engine Journal.

This expands market reach beyond physical stores.

2. Digital Marketing via Social Media

Businesses leverage social media platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn for targeted ads, influencer partnerships, and brand engagement.

• How it works: Companies create content (e.g., videos, posts) or pay for ads to reach specific audiences based on demographics or interests.
• Example: A gym runs Instagram Reels ads for memberships, or a B2B firm uses LinkedIn to target executives, per 2025 Social Media Today.
• My take: I’ve seen local cafes go viral on TikTok with latte art videos, driving foot traffic.
• Impact: Social media ads reach 5 billion users, with 60% of businesses reporting 20% sales growth, per a 2025 Hootsuite study.
• Details: Meta’s ad tools let businesses target by age or location, with $1 spent yielding $4 in revenue, per 2024 Marketing Dive.
• Practical application: Schedule posts via Buffer and use hashtags (e.g., #FitnessGoals) to boost visibility.

This builds brand loyalty and sales.

3. Customer Relationship Management (CRM) Systems

Businesses use CRM platforms like Salesforce or HubSpot online to manage customer data, track interactions, and personalize outreach.

• How it works: Cloud-based CRMs store contact details, purchase history, and preferences, automating emails or follow-ups.
• Example: A car dealership emails service reminders based on past visits, or an online retailer suggests products via HubSpot, per 2025 TechCrunch.
• My story: I got a tailored coupon from a store after browsing their site—CRM magic.
• Impact: CRMs boost customer retention by 27%, with 65% of firms using them, per a 2025 Gartner report.
• Details: Salesforce’s AI predicts customer needs with 80% accuracy, per 2024 Forbes. Small businesses use free tools like Zoho CRM.
• Practical application: Integrate CRM with email (e.g., Mailchimp) for targeted campaigns, tracking open rates.

This deepens customer connections.

4. Cloud-Based Collaboration and Productivity Tools

Businesses rely on cloud tools like Google Workspace, Microsoft Teams, or Slack for remote work, file sharing, and team coordination.

• How it works: Internet-based platforms enable real-time document editing, video calls, and task management across locations.
• Example: A marketing agency collaborates on Google Docs for campaigns, or a tech firm uses Slack for instant updates, per 2025 Wired.
• My reflection: My team uses Teams for daily check-ins, saving hours of email ping-pong.
• Impact: Cloud tools increase productivity by 30%, used by 90% of businesses, per a 2025 McKinsey study.
• Details: Google Drive stores 10 trillion files, with 80% of Fortune 500 firms using Teams, per 2024 Microsoft data.
• Practical application: Set up shared folders in Dropbox and use Asana for task deadlines to streamline workflows.

This powers efficient teamwork.

5. Data Analytics for Business Insights

Businesses use online analytics tools like Google Analytics, Tableau, or Mixpanel to track performance, customer behavior, and market trends.

• How it works: Websites and apps collect data on clicks, sales, or demographics, visualized for strategic decisions.
• Example: A retailer uses Google Analytics to see which products trend, or a startup tracks app usage via Mixpanel, per 2025 Business Insider.
• My take: I’ve seen small shops tweak menus based on website data—smart moves.
• Impact: Analytics improve decision-making by 35%, with 75% of firms investing, per a 2025 Deloitte report.
• Details: 60% of e-commerce sales rely on data-driven targeting, per 2024 Adobe Analytics. Free tools like GA4 suit small budgets.
• Practical application: Monitor site traffic weekly and use heatmaps (e.g., Hotjar) to optimize user experience.

This drives smarter strategies.

6. Online Customer Support and Chatbots

Businesses offer live chat and AI chatbots on websites or apps to answer queries, resolve issues, and enhance customer experience.

• How it works: Chatbots use AI to handle common questions (e.g., shipping status), while live agents tackle complex issues via internet platforms.
• Example: Zappos uses live chat for returns, or Amazon’s bot tracks orders, per 2025 Customer Service Journal.
• My story: I got instant help via a retailer’s chatbot when my order was delayed—super convenient.
• Impact: Chatbots resolve 70% of queries, boosting satisfaction by 25%, per a 2025 Zendesk study.
• Details: AI bots save $8 billion in support costs, per 2024 Gartner. Tools like Intercom offer free plans.
• Practical application: Integrate chatbots via Drift and train staff for seamless live handoffs.

This keeps customers happy 24/7.

7. Search Engine Optimization (SEO) for Visibility

Businesses use SEO to rank higher on Google or Bing, driving organic traffic to their websites or content.

• How it works: Companies optimize content with keywords, fast loading, and backlinks to appear in search results.
• Example: A bakery ranks for “best cupcakes near me” with local SEO, or a blog uses “AI trends 2025” keywords, per Search Engine Journal (2025).
• My take: I found a local plumber via Google’s top result—SEO works for small businesses.
• Impact: SEO drives 53% of website traffic, with 80% of firms investing, per a 2025 Moz study.
• Details: Top 3 Google results get 75% of clicks, per 2024 Backlinko. Free tools like Yoast guide beginners.
• Practical application: Use Google Keyword Planner for terms and update site speed via PageSpeed Insights.

This puts businesses in front of customers.

8. Online Advertising with Pay-Per-Click (PPC)

Businesses run PPC ads on Google Ads or social platforms to target customers with precise, measurable campaigns.

• How it works: Companies bid on keywords or audiences, paying per click, driving traffic to sites or landing pages.
• Example: A travel agency bids on “cheap flights 2025” to promote deals, or a salon targets local moms on Facebook, per 2025 AdWeek.
• My reflection: I clicked a Google ad for a fitness app, and it converted me—ads are powerful.
• Impact: PPC delivers 200% ROI, used by 65% of businesses, per a 2025 WordStream study.
• Details: Google Ads average $2 per click, with 50% conversion boosts via retargeting, per 2024 Google Analytics.
• Practical application: Start with $10/day budgets on Google Ads and use A/B testing for ad copy.

This targets ready-to-buy customers.

9. Remote Hiring and Talent Acquisition

Businesses use online job boards and platforms like LinkedIn, Indeed, or Upwork to recruit global or local talent.

• How it works: Companies post openings, screen resumes, and conduct virtual interviews, accessing diverse skill sets.
• Example: A startup hires a remote coder via Upwork, or a retailer finds managers on LinkedIn, per 2025 HR Magazine.
• My story: My friend landed a remote gig through Indeed’s video interview feature—game-changer.
• Impact: Online hiring cuts recruitment costs by 40%, with 85% of firms using it, per a 2025 SHRM report.
• Details: LinkedIn hosts 1 billion job applications yearly, per 2024 LinkedIn data. Free boards like ZipRecruiter suit small firms.
• Practical application: Post clear job descriptions and use Zoom for interviews, recording for review.

This builds top-tier teams efficiently.

10. Cybersecurity and Data Protection Online

Businesses use internet-based security tools like firewalls, VPNs, or encryption to protect customer data and operations from cyber threats.

• How it works: Cloud services (e.g., AWS, Norton) monitor breaches, secure transactions, and comply with laws like GDPR.
• Example: An e-commerce site uses SSL encryption for checkouts, or a bank deploys CrowdStrike for threat detection, per 2025 Cybersecurity Ventures.
• My take: I trust sites with “https” for shopping—security builds confidence.
• Impact: Cybersecurity prevents $6 trillion in losses, with 90% of firms investing, per a 2025 IBM study.
• Details: 60% of breaches target small businesses, per 2024 Verizon. Free tools like Cloudflare offer basic protection.
• Practical application: Enable two-factor authentication and use password managers like LastPass for secure access.

This safeguards trust and operations.

Why These Uses Matter

These ways businesses use the internet—e-commerce, social media marketing, CRMs, cloud tools, analytics, customer support, SEO, PPC, online hiring, and cybersecurity—drive modern commerce and innovation. Have you seen these in action online? They matter because they fuel $12 trillion in GDP, with 95% of businesses online, per McKinsey (2025). A 2024 Harvard Business Review study found internet strategies boost revenue by 25% and efficiency by 30%.

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Challenges and Considerations

Internet use has hurdles:

• Costs: Digital tools cost $1,000–$10,000 yearly, a barrier for 20% of small firms, per a 2025 Forbes study.
• Cyber risks: 50% of businesses face breaches, per IBM (2025).
• Skill gaps: 30% lack digital expertise, per a 2024 Deloitte report.
• My concern: I worry small businesses get left behind without affordable tools.

Free platforms and training bridge these gaps.

How Businesses Can Optimize Internet Use

To maximize internet use:

• Start free: Use Google Analytics, Canva, or Zoho for low-cost entry, per TechCrunch (2025).
• Train staff: Offer digital literacy courses via Coursera, trending in 2025.
• Monitor ROI: Track ad spend or site traffic with tools like HubSpot.
• Secure data: Use free SSL via Let’s Encrypt and regular backups.
• My tip: I’d start with a free Shopify trial and Google Ads’ $10 budget to test e-commerce and marketing.

These steps ensure digital success.

Summarized Answer

What are some specific ways that businesses use the internet? Specific ways businesses use the internet include 10 strategies: e-commerce for online sales, digital marketing via social media, CRM systems for customer management, cloud tools for collaboration, data analytics for insights, online customer support with chatbots, SEO for visibility, PPC advertising for targeting, remote hiring for talent, and cybersecurity for protection. Driving $12 trillion in GDP (McKinsey, 2025) and boosting revenue by 25% (Harvard Business Review, 2024), these methods enhance reach and efficiency. On June 4, 2025, businesses can leverage free tools like Google Analytics or Shopify trials to optimize internet use for growth and engagement.