Online sites like Craigslist and Swap Shop Facebook pages make it easier than ever for people to buy and sell stuff right in their own neighborhood.

Our own Socketeers have bought and sold all kinds of things online. Josh in business sales bought a bandsaw and sold a swimming pool. Stephanie in marketing sold her car. Justin in customer service buys and sells all kinds of drum gear for his band.

We all love the convenience of buying and selling locally. You don't have to worry about shipping costs or long delays waiting for items to arrive. You can often inspect an item in person before buying. Sellers can avoid paying fees to a host site or hassling with shipment of items.

It is a common misconception small town businesses cannot put up a fight against their Fortune 500 city competitors. But a company with access to the Internet has access to the same market. Kelsey Research found that 70 percent of consumers go online first when looking for a business. Their research also showed that only 1 percent of respondents have never used the Internet to research, then purchase offline from a local business.