Web Presence Of Small Businesses Study

1. Web Presence Of Small Businesses Study Executive Summary Report By: Joel Mincey December 19, 2008

2. Methodology Survey Methodology 600 small business owners responded to the online survey, which was commissioned by Elance and Microsoft and conducted by independent research firm Decision Analyst, Inc. of Arlington, Texas between December 10-16, 2008. The survey's margin of error is plus or minus four percentage points at the 95% confidence level. Data were weighted to be representative of national U.S. small business owners.

3. Key Findings • A majority of small business owners do not have a presence on the web – this despite the fact that 43% indicate that having a web presence is extremely or very important to the success of their business, and 71% say they use email and/or online advertising to market their business. • Money, time and expertise are the key barriers to having a presence on the web - 60% spent less than $500 on their websites in 2008. • Most small business owners would rather do something other than web design – 64% of small business owners would prefer to do something else (tax return, speech, run a 10K race). • Web design/consulting is one area where small business owners would look for freelance consulting help – marketing is the second area. • Most small business owners would try and design the site themselves, or ask a friend for help - nearly 20% would search online for a consultant to help them in web design.

4. Key Findings • A majority of small business owners do not have a presence on the web – this despite the fact that 43% indicate that having a web presence is extremely or very important to the success of their business, and 71% say they use email and/or online advertising to market their business. • Money, time and expertise are the key barriers to having a presence on the web - 60% spent less than $500 on their websites in 2008. • Most small business owners would rather do something other than web design – 64% of small business owners would prefer to do something else (tax return, speech, run a 10K race). • Web design/consulting is one area where small business owners would look for freelance consulting help – marketing is the second area. • Most small business owners would try and design the site themselves, or ask a friend for help - nearly 20% would search online for a consultant to help them in web design.

5. Key Findings - continued • The spirit of entrepreneurship is alive and well – nearly 90% indicate that despite the economic downturn, they would still prefer to start their own business rather than work for someone else. • Small business owners are positive about 2009 - 40% indicate they have a positive outlook for their business in 2009. • They will maintain current levels of staffing – 76% of small business owners said they would maintain their current levels of staffing throughout 2009. • The key priority for them is profitability - 67% of small business owners say that profitability is the most important priority for them in 2009. • Small business owners are self-reliant - when asked which if any business leader they would hire, nearly a third said “no one”. • Small businesses are in-fact “small” and “young” – 82% of small business owners have five or fewer employees, and have been in business for ten years or less.

6. Marketing Plans For 2009 61% of small business owners say they will spend the same, or more on marketing in 2009 Question: “Has the current economic crisis impacted your marketing plans for 2009?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

7. Business Aspects That Could Benefit From Freelance Help Marketing, web design and sales are all areas where small business owners feel they could benefit from freelance consulting help. Question: “What is the one aspect of your business that you think could benefit most from freelance help?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

8. Services Most Likely To Employ A Freelance Consultant The same three areas: web design, marketing and sales are also the areas where small business owners are likely to employ a freelance consultant. Question: “For what type of services would you be most likely to employ a freelance consultant?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

9. Marketing Business’s Services Small business owners tend to use email, flyers, and online advertising as the primary means of marketing their services. Question: “How are you marketing yourself or your business’s services during this economic crisis?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

10. Small Business Currently Have A Website Slightly more than half of the small business owners interviewed indicated that they did not have a website for their business. Question: “Does your small business currently have a website?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

11. Reasons Business Has A Website Providing a source of information to potential customers is the primary reason among small business owners for having a website. Question: “Why does your business have a website?” Base: Respondents With Website (289) Source: Online Topline Data

12. Reasons Business Does Not Have A Website For those business owners that do not have a website, the primary reasons are: lack of need, lack of money, lack of expertise, and lack of time. Question: “Why doesn’t your business have a website?” Base: Respondents Without Website (316) Source: Online Topline Data

13. Website Design And Support Most small business owners indicate they would try and design a website themselves, or ask a friend for support. However, nearly one in five would look online for a Web designer or service. Question: “To whom would you turn for website design and support?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

14. Importance Of A Website Or Online Presence Nearly half (43%) of small business owners feel that an online presence is extremely or very important to the success of their small business. Question: “How important is having a website or online presence to the success of your small business?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

15. Cost Of Website In 2008 Among the small businesses that had a website, nearly 60% spent less than $500 on their website in 2008, a little under 15% spent $2000 of more. Question: “Approximately how much did you spend on your website in 2008?” Base: Respondents With Website (289) Source: Online Topline Data

16. Biggest Barrier To Website Update Or Set-Up Clearly, the greatest barrier to having a website for a small business is cost. This was followed by time and expertise. Question: “If you are considering updating your website/setting up a website, what is the biggest barrier to getting it done?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

17. Staffing Or Hiring Changes Due To The Economy In terms of dealing with the current economic crisis, most small business owners (53%) indicate they will maintain their current levels of staffing. Nearly a quarter are sole proprietors, who may hire consultants for help in 2009. Question: “How, if at all, are you changing your staffing/hiring due to the economy?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

18. Importance Of Business Priorities Profitability is the overwhelming priority for small business owners in 2009. Question: “Please rank the following priorities for your business in 2009 in order of importance from highest to lowest, using a scale from 1 to 5. Please select a “1” for the “most important priority” and a “5” for the “least important priority.” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

19. Number Of Employees The vast majority (82%) of small business owners interviewed have less than six employees. Question: “How many full-time employees do you have?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

20. Employee Benefits Nearly two-thirds of small business owners do not provide benefits to their employees. Question: “With the current economic atmosphere, have you had to decrease your employee benefits package or amount of coverage to lower your overall costs?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

21. Years Of Owning Or Operating Business Nearly 70% of small business owners have been in business for 10 years or less. In contrast, nearly 15% have been in business for more than 20 years. Question: “How many years have you owned or operated your business?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

22. Employees Expected By Year End 2009 Three quarters of small business owners indicate that they will maintain their current staffing levels in 2009. Question: “At the end of 2009, do you expect to have…?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

23. Challenges Of The Economy Despite the challenging economic situation, nearly 90% of small business owners say they would start their own business again, rather than work for someone else. Question: “Given the challenges facing the economy and your experience as a business owner, if you had the opportunity again, would you still start your own business or would you choose to work for someone else? Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

24. Economic Outlook For The Year Ahead Small business owners are optimistic for the most part, with 40% saying they have a positive economic outlook for 2009. Less than 5% believe their business will not survive the current recession. Question: “As a small business owner, what is your economic outlook for the year ahead?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

25. Successful Business Person To Help You While nearly a third of small business owners indicated they would not hire any of the business leaders mentioned, 24% said they would hire Warren Buffett and 20% said they would hire Donald Trump for business help. Question: “If you could hire one successful business person to help with your small business for one week, who would it be?” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data

26. Preferred Activities While 36% of small business owners would prefer to design their own website, 64% would prefer to do something else, including prepare a tax return, give a speech, or run a 10K race. Question: “Please rank the following activities in order of preference from highest to lowest, using a scale from 1 to 5. Please select a “1” for the “most preferred activity” and a “5” for the “least preferred activity.” Base: Total Respondents (605) Source: Online Topline Data