There was a time when businesses had to contend only with the real-world marketplace for customers. They had to work really hard to first win the attention of their target audience and then, to retain their trust. What's more, promotion benefits were available to only big players of the domain as affording them was well beyond the reach of small entities. In all, doing business was tough, catching the attention of buyers was tougher and competing against the big players of the domain was the toughest part. There was no other alternative as the internet was yet to be a commercial reality.
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