New research suggests small companies do themselves no favours by having a poor online presence

New research suggests small companies do themselves no favours by having a poor online presence

UK small and midsized enterprises (SMEs) are damaging their businesses with a poor online presence. Some 70% of people claim they would not buy from a company with a badly designed website, according to research carried out by OnePoll, on behalf of web design and hosting company, BaseKit.

The research also found that two thirds of business owners believe how a company website looks is more important than the location of the business. This makes it even more vital that a company’s website gives the right impression of the business.

Presenting a professional face

“It has never been more important to present your company professionally online. In the digital age, consumers expect a company to have a well thought out online presence. This is supported by the fact that two thirds of businesses believe that a website has more impact on its success than location,” commented Chris Winstanley, head of marketing at BaseKit.

“More and more consumers and businesses are looking online for their everyday needs. It is imperative that SMEs have a website that is easy to navigate, fully functional and well presented. A well considered website can dramatically add value to the business, especially if it provides customers with all the information they need to make a purchase. The research demonstrates that an unattractive site can detract from the effectiveness of a company and this lack of trust can seriously hit the business’ bottom line,” Winstanley concluded.

OnePoll surveyed 577 UK SMEs during January 2011.