Book excerpt: Digital marketing is a daunting task for many small business owners. It often seems intimidating and complicated, and the benefits are not easily measured, but without it, many businesses die out. In Online or Flatline, Nick Choat offers compelling reasons to get your business online and easy-to-use tools to make it possible: How to set up an attractive webpage How to prioritize your social media efforts How to use review feedback to interact with customers How to optimize your ability to be found on Google How to combine traditional and digital advertising and many more Nick Choat has witnessed the evolution of digital marketing. He started at a young age, working in his parents' small, hometown grocery store in rural Tennessee, where he learned about customer service and loyalty. When he was offered a management position with Kroger, he made the bold move to exit the food industry, and took a chance on a degree in software development long before the tech boom of the 1990s. His first job was for Boeing, followed by several years consulting businesses for Ernst & Young. He was on board with Disney when they pioneered the online streaming of hi-def television, a revolutionary move when corporations were still fearful of the shifting marketplace. After realizing that he wanted to exchange his life in corporate America for one with more autonomy in his business, he bought a Sports Clips franchise and set a personal goal to empower all small business owners to utilize the tools at their fingertips. Online or Flatline gives small business owners an easy to follow, affordable guide and a strong plan of action for creating a successful and valuable online presence.