Reply #46: I think the lag is just longer. [View All]

I'm seeing increased hiring among the small businesses I serve with website content services. Their business is up and they're hiring new employees or rehiring laid off employees.

Best example is a swimming pool builder. Their orders for this season are double what they were at this time last season, so they've hired several people. Same result for a local fence company.

Part of the reason, of course, is that their revamped web site is bringing in more leads, but they had the confidence to pay for that site revamp. It's paying off. I think the job recovery is beginning. It's late, but I think it will respond to an improving sales record. Small businesses are wary of hiring until they have some evidence that it makes sense. Increased sales are that evidence.