Web Hosting Provider Interland Announces Survey Results

Interland (www.interland.com) a provider of Web-hosting and online services for small and medium-sized businesses, today announced the results of the Interland Fall 2004 Business Barometer of Online Activities, a nationwide survey of 530 small-business owners.

The findings reveal that a high percentage of small businesses report their websites have made their businesses healthier, helped them weather the economic downturn and are generating sales leads. In addition, a clear majority (87 percent) says online sales during the 2004 holiday season will be as good if not better than the 2003 online holiday shopping season.

Of those surveyed, 77 percent said their business is healthier - has a better competitive advantage or stronger economic footing - because they have a business website.

As part of the survey, respondents were asked about their expectations for online sales during the 2004 holiday shopping season. Of the group, 45 percent said they expected online holiday sales for this year to be better than last year. Forty-two percent said they expected 2004 to be the same as 2003, and 13 percent project 2004 online holiday sales to be worse than 2003.

"Selling online is a must for any small business serious about succeeding," according to Marsha Collier, author of Starting an eBay Business for Dummies and online selling guru.

When asked to identify the three ways they will "prepare for the 2004 holiday shopping season," the majority of small businesses (58 percent) say they will update their website, 34 percent say they will offer special holiday-shopping promotions, 32 percent report they will engage in direct-marketing efforts and 32 percent say they will increase the number of items or services they sell.

"We have continued to see the number of small-business websites grow over the past 18 months, with some experts estimating that as many as 75 percent of all small businesses already have an online presence," said Joel Kocher, CEO and chairman of Interland.

The group was also polled on their anticipated annual revenues generated by their websites in 2004, and it's clear that small businesses expect to profit from the Internet's ability to deliver on its promise as a new sales and marketing channel.
Small businesses themselves appear to not be shy about purchasing business products and services they need online. In fact, 85 percent say they do this.

Those surveyed were also asked how they would most likely invest profits from their business. Topping the list were "take it to my bank account" (20 percent), "reduce business debt" (19 percent), and "use for market expansion" (13 percent).
Other interesting data points show that 72 percent of respondents say they themselves (the owner or general manager) are responsible for their company's marketing efforts.