[cr1t1calh1t]

What you're talking about is good old-fashioned business development and sales prospecting - go for it.

Lots of small business and brick and mortar business owners do business online as an afterthought, because their focus and expertise is on their product or service.

As long as you put together a thorough proposal in which you've done your homework to understand their business and their challenges, and pitch your proposal in terms of their business goals and measurable results, I'm sure most small business owners would give you the time of day.

You're on the right track - start in your city, call them on the phone to get an appointment, and present your proposal in person.

[kshiraly]

You make a great point about framing the proposal in terms of their business goals and measurable results. Very true - I'm prone to talking in tech language rather than in the business language they'd understand. Got to avoid that. Thanks a lot for the reply and the encouragement.