Web presence up among small and mid-sized businesses

Top 500 Guide

The web presence of small and mid-sized businesses has increased: Ten years ago just 31% operated a web site; that figure was 53% in 2000 and today is 60%, new research shows. 36% of all small and mid-sized businesses conduct e-commerce, including 52% of businesses in the retail industry, according to the National Small Business Association’s 2007 National Survey of Small and Mid-Sized Businesses, performed by Public Opinion Strategies.

35% of businesses surveyed plan to launch or grow their Internet or e-commerce presence in the next twelve months; only 21% planned for expansion in 2000.

Following are survey results of respondents when asked “Which of the following best describes your company’s use of e-commerce?”

• E-commerce is an integral part of how your company conducts business, 14%.
• Your company conducts e-commerce, but it is not an integral part of how your company conducts business, 22%.
• You do not currently conduct e-commerce, but are implementing e-commerce applications in the next year, 20%.
• Your company does not currently conduct e-commerce, nor do you have plans to conduct e-commerce in the next year, 43%.