Combating slow sales with limited-time offers, business marketing

If you're a small business owner in the United States, chances are you've come up against slow sales at some point in the last few years.

In fact, according to a recent survey by three business advocacy groups, lack of consumer demand is the biggest problem facing small enterprises today.

The Small Business Owners' Opinions on Regulations and Job Creation study was released by the American Sustainable Business Council, Small Business Majority and the Main Street Alliance earlier this month. More than one-third (34 percent) of 500 small business owners (SBOs) from across the nation named weak demand as the biggest challenge facing their companies, ahead of 15 percent who cited the cost of health coverage and other benefits and 14 percent pointing to excessive government regulation. Tax levels placed fourth (12 percent), while 10 percent of respondents implicated competition with larger companies.

The Business Finance Store notes while there isn't a lot that can be done about current economic conditions, SBOs can boost revenues by offering reduced rates, limited-time-only sales and other deals. Consumers are also still feeling the effects of the economic downturn, and well-placed business advertising can help attract attention to sales and get customers through the door.