Consumers mindful of firms without website

Nearly half of consumers expect all businesses to have some kind of web presence and a third say they have ‘concerns’ if a firm has no website, according to a poll by web hosting firm 1&1 Internet.

The survey concluded that half of consumers now regularly buy from online-only businesses.

Oliver Mauss, chief executive of 1&1 Internet, said: “Consumers clearly appreciate the ability to buy goods easily online, and online businesses are now seen as a vital part of the UK economy.”

In addition to consumer attitudes to e-commerce, the research also looked at how the internet has affected entrepreneurs and business owners.

According to the poll, 41% of retailers believe the internet has led to an improvement in work/life balance, while 54% said they had made adjustments to their business plan as a result.

There was also a suggestion the internet had broken down barriers to entrepreneurship. Some 83% of those polled said the internet had made it easier for people to succeed in business while a third believe it has been a significant motivator for people from less privileged backgrounds to start up a venture.

Mauss added: “Business owners have gained a broad range of benefits from adopting the Web.  As internet technologies grow apace, the future promises even greater potential for firms to grow revenues and optimise their customer experience”.

© Crimson Business Ltd. 2010