Small businesses could benefit from a web presence

A recent study by the Forum of Private Business (FPB), has shown that 19% of the 5,800 small businesses surveyed still do not have a company website, in spite of the growing role of the internet in today's society.

The survey went on to show that of the remaining 81% of small businesses that did have a website, only 19% of these actually used it to sell products directly, using eCommerce technology.

Of these small businesses, 76% stated that they use their website to list contact details, 74%used their site to show product information and only 35% use their website to generate sales leads.

Phil McCabe, spokesperson for the FPB, believes that small businesses are not making the most of the benefits of having a web presence and may be losing out in the long-term. In spite of this he added that the small business sector is very diverse and a solution that works well for one company won't always fit another.

On another note, the FPB's report also revealed that social media holds "potential for many SMEs." He went on to add:

"Its conversational, real-time nature makes it ideal for entrepreneurs and small, dynamic firms which often have much more relaxed attitudes towards public relations than big corporations.”

15/10/10