Mobile-friendly websites vital to business growth, according to research

Over 30 per cent of small businesses now believe that a mobile-friendly website is vital to business growth, with nearly two-thirds of businesses expecting an increase in their mobile sales, according to research from YouGov and eBay UK.

The research, which surveyed 400 online businesses, found that 36 per cent of small businesses expect their mobile sales to increase by up to 10 per cent in 2016.

Increase

Out of those businesses surveyed, 20 per cent expect their sales to increase by 30 per cent, whilst 38 per cent believe that poor internet access is having a negative effect on their sales. Over 60 per cent expressed their dissatisfaction with the speed of UK broadband.

Over 50 per cent of respondents also called for the government to provide better internet access to give smaller businesses a better chance of competing, and over 40 per cent said that the public should be provided with better Wi-Fi so that businesses can make flexible working easier for their staff.

Mobile-friendly websites are becoming increasingly beneficial to businesses, with recent research showing that they are enabling more businesses to attract overseas customers.

Benefits

eBay UK Head of Mobile, Andy Towers, commented on the research, stating: “Businesses are now fully realising the benefits of the mobile revolution.”

“Mobile optimised sites and apps […] are helping customers to access technology that was once preserve of just the big retailers, and they are reaping the benefits,” he added.