Benefits of online sales ‘under estimated’ by small businesses

10/03/2008

Small businesses across the UK are suffering by failing to maintain their websites, according to new research.

The survey, conducted in late 2007 by internet design and marketing company Netflare, found ‘shocking’ levels of website neglect by small business owners.

According to the findings, almost a quarter (23%) of websites had not been updated since their launch, making much of their content inaccurate and outdated, while the average small business website was four years old.

In addition, despite the prevalence of internet sales, only 8% of respondents had an e-commerce facility on their site, even though the majority of businesses questioned said they were using the internet to try and increase sales.

“We were completely staggered by the tiny percentage of small business owners who were actively using their websites to generate sales,” said Jon Beal, managing director of Netflare Ltd.

“Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that between 2005 and 2006, consumers spent £102 billion in online purchases in the UK alone.

“It is beyond comprehension that small business owners are ignoring one of the fastest growing sales opportunities there has ever been.”

Results also found a quarter of companies had no way of tracking how many sales were made as a result of people visiting their website, and over a third (38%) had no budget for regular website updates: of those who did, the average annual spend was £250.