Here are 5 innovative ways to boost sales in a down economy suggested by an article on Smartmoney.com:

1. Use the Internet to further your reach.
“WITHOUT AN ONLINE PRESENCE, business owners miss out on a big marketing opportunity – and sometimes even bigger bucks. Many consumers turn to the web when making buying decisions about both on- and offline purchases. In 2007, for example, every $6 spent offline was influenced by research a consumer did on the web, according to a recent report from market-research firm JupiterResearch.”

Simply adding a multilingual component to your web site can help boost sales abroad since customers tend to respond more often — and more positively — to communications in their native language.

2. Tap underserved markets.
3. Expand without expanding your costs.
4. Become your customer’s customer.
5. Profit from your own expertise.