Take the Survey: Small Business Websites
You may have heard the oft-quoted statistic: fewer than half of small businesses have websites.
At one time I’m sure the statistic was accurate. In fact, I used to quote that same statistic myself.
However, I no longer trust that statistic.
As time goes on it is becoming increasingly rare to encounter a business owner who says, ‘my business does not have a website.’
For businesses with employees, the trend I see is that most have websites. True, when it comes to single-person businesses a lower percentage may have websites. But these days, with blogs and DIY website building tools, I am amazed at the truly impressive Web presences I see even among self-employed professionals.
But let’s not guess about the nature of the small business Web presence. The 2008 MBA class at the MIT Sloan School of Management is taking a survey of the website development needs of small business owners. They’ve offered to share the survey results later on.
Go take the small business website development needs survey. It’s fast. It’s easy.
January 3rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Anita - an interesting post, as always. You’ve posted some great lists of small business technology tools in the past. I’d love to see your list of small business-friendly DIY website building tools.
January 3rd, 2008 at 4:08 pm
How many business people without websites read blogs? Seems the survey will be significantly skewed, don’t you think? Laura
January 3rd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
Hi Laura, I think you raise a legitimate point about results being skewed by doing a survey “online”.
But keep in mind that the majority of the adult population in countries like the United States goes online, regardless of whether they themselves have websites or blogs. The Pew Internet studies have established that fact.
Also, Small Business Trends, although technically a blog, is read by many people who have no idea it actually is a blog. They just think it’s an unusual type of website. It gets less of the early-adopter audience than one might think.
And, the survey covers more than just whether a business has a website, but also covers what the website development needs are, etc.
Anyway, please, participate in the survey!
Anita
January 3rd, 2008 at 4:29 pm
Hi Dave,
that’s a great idea for a post, about DIY Website tools. Let me see about putting one together.
Anita
January 3rd, 2008 at 4:58 pm
Forget about website referral. Treat the web like you would yellow pages. If your sales pitch is greater than a snap-shot, then you have confused your customer.
Short-n-sweet is the key
Differenciation is your key to success.
If you can’t make your case, why should others be successful selling it ?
January 3rd, 2008 at 6:25 pm
I use a very easy DIY e-commerce builder at http://www.shoppingcartsplus.com. Simple, easy to use and great cost.
January 3rd, 2008 at 7:18 pm
Here’s how Jackie Huba sees owners of small businesses use (or lack thereof) of the Internet… let aloen all the social media tools you use so adeptly
“The invisible business” @ http://customerevangelists.typepad.com/
- Kare
January 3rd, 2008 at 11:56 pm
Very interesting post about small businesses and websites Anita.
January 4th, 2008 at 10:45 am
Anita,
I generally don’t trust statistics, period! They’re a useful tool for when you need “facts” to support an argument. Statistics, however, ALWAYS come with parameters. For example, if you say, “More than half of small businesses have websites”, you’d wonder where the information was gathered from. Sure, more than half of the businesses surveyed, yes. But what section of those surveyed came from which part of the population? What about the other half, who may have smal businesses that no one approached BECAUSE they don’t have internet OR websites, and therefore the more “active” communicators of the world never even came into contact with them??
You’re a lawyer so you must know that statistics are fallacious. Nevertheless, I do agree with what you say about more and more small business owners maintaining high quality websites. We don’t need statistics to tell us this certainly was not the case ten years ago. All we really need to do is look around the web to see it happening everywhere. I for one, am excited by the possibilities this brings! (And yes, you bet I’m a small business owner with a thriving web presence).
Thanks for kicking off an intriguing discussion.
Dina
January 4th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
Kare, thanks for sharing Jackie’s viewpoint. Jackie always has great insights.
Deanna and Neal, thanks for weighing in.
Amanda, appreciate the recommendation of the website tool and the fact that you’ve have good experience with it.
Dina, yep, I agree that stats can be misleading (although I am a bit addicted to them, I must admit). In the end, I pay attention to what my experience and interactions with other business owners tells me, not just what a statistic may or may not say.
January 4th, 2008 at 2:13 pm
I too agree that more small businesses than ever are operating on the Internet. This “new trend” is the driving force behind my own small business. After all, who just wants to be on the net when you can be seen in front of your competitors in the search ranks.
January 4th, 2008 at 8:18 pm
Starting a website is cheap nowadays and making a blog is even easier! Soon everyone will own a piece of the virtual space with their blogs and website.