Fewer than half have dedicated websites
Canada, though not as advanced in many digital respects as the US and other mature markets, is far from being a slouch when it comes to online activities. This year, eMarketer estimates, 77.5% of the population will use the internet at least monthly, including more than three-quarters of the total population who will have broadband connections.
But for the smallest of businesses, connections are less common.
Fewer than half of small-business owners with less than 25 employees and $5 million in annual revenues (46%) told the Royal Bank of Canada (RBC) they had a dedicated website at all. Among that group, just under half again said they sold products and services online.
Social media use was somewhat less common, though far from ignored. Nearly four in 10 small-business owners said they promoted their businesses through social sites, making social media marketing nearly as popular for small businesses as websites.
According to RBC’s findings, small-business owners may want to reconsider the value of a website to their firms. Among those that did offer ecommerce options, 38% said at least a quarter of total revenues came from online sales.
Ecommerce is catching on quickly in the country, after a slow start. Total B2C ecommerce sales in Canada rose 14.3% last year and will rise again this year at about the same pace. In 2015, sales will reach CA$30.7 billion ($31 billion).
Corporate subscribers have access to all eMarketer analyst reports, articles, data and more. Join the over 750 companies already benefiting from eMarketer’s approach. Learn more.
Check out today’s other articles, “Mobile Shopping Catches on with Affluent Consumers,” “Why Are People Seeking Health Info Online?” and “UK Online Sales Undented by Economic Squeeze.”