New Research Shows That Websites Are Increasingly Important for Small Business Owners

July 15, 2011 – More than half of self-employed business owners (54%) do not have a website for their business and are missing out on potential sales, according to new research commissioned by creative software developer Serif. The poll of 400 UK sole traders and small businesses¹ investigating business websites – their prevalence, use, cost and effectiveness – also revealed that more than half of those without websites (58%) believe they do not need one yet.

In light of how many small firms are without a site, it is interesting to note that 81% of those surveyed admitted they prefer to source information online before they spend their own money, or that they actually prefer not to buy from companies that don’t have websites. Further confirming the importance of professional websites, small businesses claimed that on average a massive 41% of new customer leads are generated by their site. So how can many small businesses afford not to have a website of their own?

“With over 80% of people in the UK accessing the internet², most of them every day³, it’s increasingly vital that small businesses have a website of their own to reach that informed and active audience,” says Gary Bates, Managing Director at Serif. “A branded website – even an informative brochure-style site – adds credibility and perceived professionalism to a business and is still the most cost-effective marketing tool. Even if e-commerce is not needed, having a business website is still of huge benefit.”

When asked how they would feel about designing their own website, the majority of those surveyed (74%) thought they would need help or that they don’t have the time or skills to attempt it. Yet, when quizzed about their word processing skills, an even larger majority of businesspeople (85%) described themselves as ‘power users’ and regularly able to mix text and graphics.

“Many small businesses may feel it’s too costly to hire a web designer to make a site for them, and this may well be true. Some others will believe that it’s too time consuming, technically difficult, or creatively challenging to design a website themselves and add key features like e-commerce. But this just isn’t true anymore,” adds Dale Cook, Serif’s Product Marketing Manager for WebPlus. “The latest generation web designer from Serif, WebPlus X5, allows those with regular office computer skills to very quickly create a professional-looking website that has business-friendly features – with no need for web design experience or complicated HTML coding. In addition to a simple drag-and-drop approach to adding impressive web page elements, stylish templates and ready-made artwork ease the creative burden.”

And it can be a quick process contrary to most people’s perceptions. The research also revealed that the majority of people (70%) think it takes between one day and a month to make a typical 5-page site (including text, images, video, a form, and a map), while only 6% of those polled believe it’s possible to achieve such a site in 30 minutes. It can take even less than that when customising template designs.

The business appeal of WebPlus X5 is that attractive, functional sites can be designed and online in a short space of time and at low cost, making organisations more visible and credible to those actively searching for products, services and information. At just £81.69 inc. VAT, WebPlus X5 comes with everything a business needs to publish an effective professional website – stylish designs, free hosting⁴, interactive web gadgets, e-commerce wizards, easy design tools, search engine optimisation, plus video tutorials and a friendly community of fellow WebPlus users. Serif is currently running an offer to include bonus email marketing and newsletter software (worth over £90) free with all online WebPlus X5 orders.

For more information on WebPlus X5, visit www.serif.com/webplus.

For more information, contact Clare Homer at Serif at chomer@serif.com or on 0115 914 9042. Follow @Serif_Clare on Twitter.

Ends

Notes for Editors:

¹ OnePoll research on UK sole traders and small businesses below 50 employees in June 2011, commissioned by Serif

² Internet users as percentage of UK population, World Bank development indicators, April 2011

³ Those accessing the internet every day or almost every day, UK Office for National Statistics, May 2011

⁴ Serif’s WebPlus.net free hosting package duration is 6 months. Includes web space, a unique subdomain, and matching email address. Hosting renewable from £19.99/year after free period; other packages are available that include a full .com/.co.uk address and other features. Other hosts can be used and customers can design unlimited sites using WebPlus X5. Serif’s own free interactive gadgets (Smart Objects such as forms, blogs, forums) do not require or impact on WebPlus.net hosting.

About Serif

Serif is the publisher of the award-winning software range that includes PagePlus^®, PhotoPlus^®, DrawPlus^®, WebPlus^®, AlbumPlus^®, MoviePlus^®, CraftArtist^® and more. Founded in 1987 with the aim to develop low-cost alternatives to high-end publishing and graphics packages, Serif as been repeatedly praised for its powerful yet easy-to-use software which has put professional effects and demanding publishing tasks within the reach of ordinary PC users around the world. Now with over 6.5 million customers worldwide, Serif has over 230 employees at its head office, development and European sales centre in Nottingham, UK and its North American sales operation in New Hampshire, US.