According to 2015 LSA Local Media Tracking Study, the company site when visited by a prospective user is already showing one is ready to make a purchase. I like the idea of a search engine online such as Google, but I also think it isn’t the fairest to have recommended a good product or service.
Having said this, there are many good products/services beyond the page 1 of the search results. What’s happening is that they are not good in Search Engine Optimization, but they’re good in their development of their products or in rendering of their services.
Next of importance would be review sites. Those with a good talent and finding it hard to show and present themselves can try to get an interview conducted about them or their skills to showcase his/her strengths.
It is a tough competition, but I think having a good design and a well designed company website is very important today than any other time. Especially if you’re a small company, you can compete side by side, 24/7 with the big giants (competitors). The most important thing is you must be able to DELIVER as promised.
Jodee 