Small businesses’ online presence has been shown to be one of their most important tools to draw in new customers. Research by Vistaprint Digital Services, the digital division of industry distributor Vistaprint (UPIC: V565755), found that approximately one third of respondents find small businesses online, the same share drawn in through word-of-mouth.
“Our goal with this survey is to provide small businesses with unique data that will help them more effectively reach, attract and retain consumers,” says Scott Bowen, vice president and general manager of Vistaprint Digital Services. “Small businesses should understand not only that an online presence is vital to helping them reach new audiences, but that a professional and well-maintained presence can be the difference between a customer walking in the door and choosing to shop elsewhere.”
One in four respondents says that a social media presence is very important for small businesses, and the survey also found that 25 percent of Millennials use social media as a first point of research for small businesses. In comparison, 7.5 percent of Baby Boomers turn to social media. Furthermore, only five percent of Millennials would be very likely to visit a store with a poorly designed website.
The survey found that a poorly designed website may be more off-putting than no website at all. While one third of respondents are unlikely to shop at a business that doesn’t have a website, 45 percent of respondents say they are unlikely to shop at a business with a poorly designed or otherwise unprofessional website.
For more on the findings of Vistaprint’s survey, click here.
