Small Business Marketing: Small businesses tend to neglect their websites

Small businesses tend to neglect their websites.

Small businesses are still a bit behind the curve when it comes to getting online. They’re pretty good with social media (most have adopted it), but they’d benefit more by having their own site, rather than relying on Facebook.

So how bad is it? Well, 29% of small businesses still don’t have a website, according to Clutch’s third annual Small Business Survey.

This is disappointing, but it’s better than it was last year. We’re seeing strong evidence that small businesses are finally becoming digital. It’s a good opportunity for them, too: Websites are regularly named as the most effective marketing channel for small to medium businesses.

Small Business Web Design Survey

Number of Small Businesses With A Website

Some things do trouble me, though. Small businesses in the Midwest are at a particular disadvantage – only 58% of them have websites. And very small businesses struggle, too. Only 59% of small businesses with a revenue of $1 million or less per year have a website.

There is one bright side to this. For the businesses that do have a website, most of those sites are mobile-friendly – 83%. That’s an improvement from earlier years, and an important one. Most of the traffic on the web is now via mobile devices.

I have to call one last thing out here, though: Small businesses are shooting themselves in the foot when it comes to SEO. In our own WASP Survey, we found only 28% of small businesses do any search engine optimization.

That’s free traffic, guys (and gals). An easy way to get more customers. And it’s not terribly hard to get. But you do have to put a little effort in.

If your business needs a website, or if your current website is in need of a little TLC don’t hesitate to give Hartman Technology a call at 605-271-9555.

Author: Brian Sutter    Source: Forbes