BUSINESSWEEK ONLINE: FRONTIER - the resource for entrepreneurs
TRENDS
JANUARY 31, 2000
What's Up on the Web
What are your small-business peers doing in cyberspace? What are they planning to do? The answer depends on who's asking, how they ask, whom they
ask, and when.
Dun & Bradstreet Small Business Study
February, 1999, poll of 649 businesses with 1-100 employees
How small businesses use the Internet
1997%
1999%
E-mail
57
76
Business Research
54
71
Purchase of Goods/Services
21
38
Sales/Marketing
16
29
PricewaterhouseCoopers Trendsetter Survey
Studied 446 CEOs in September, 1998, from companies with $1 million to $50 million in sales
How small businesses use their Web sites
Build relationships with prospects
61%
Invite comments and feedback
60
Advertising
94
Provide in-depth product or service info
85
Obtain new sales leads
71
Recruit employees
51
Provide services to customers
50
How important is the Web as a business tool over the next 12 months?
Extremely important
19%
Very important
27
Somewhat important
38
Neutral
8
Unimportant
8
GTE SuperPages.com Small Business Research
Summer, 1999, survey of 500 businesses, 50 or fewer employees
How Web site is advertised
Web address on flyers or in direct-mail pieces
80%
Web address on business cards
77
Web address in newspaper, billboard, or yellow-page advertising
