Consumers walk away from companies with poor web presence - SMEs confused about the cost and time involved in creating a website
Over half of UK consumers (53 per cent) would walk away from any business that does not have a website, according to a survey released today. The research, commissioned by 1&1 Internet, Europe's largest web hosting and domain name registration company, also found that 1 in 5 small businesses still do not recognise the importance consumers place upon a web presence. There was also huge confusion within businesses over the cost and time needed to create a website.
Research carried out by Tickbox.Net identified that in addition to the 53 per cent of consumers who would walk away from a business with no web presence, even more of Britain’s 3.7 million Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) could be losing sales if they have a poor quality website. The results found that 85 per cent of consumers have more doubts or reservations buying from a business with a poor quality website. A further survey, conducted by Coleman Parkes Research, worryingly reveals that despite these overwhelming figures, 1 in 5 UK SMEs do not recognise the importance the public places upon a web presence, and a further 1 in 5 businesses do not believe that a substandard website could have any negative effect on sales.
Andreas Gauger, CEO 1&1 Internet, said “It is clear that consumers nowadays expect every business to have a professional web presence and are turned-off by second-rate websites, yet clearly many SMEs are confused over the importance of the issue. If businesses want to maximise sales, they must be online with a website that gives the right impression.”
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