Although more SMEs are concentrating advertising budgets on digital media, research from Thrive Analytics shows that they are struggling to meet the challenges. SMEs expect improvements expect to see improvements in their sales over the next year, which has led to an increase in marketing budgets, but companies need help with websites, search, social media and mobile. The research comes from Thrive Analytics’ 2014 Small Business Advertising Survey.
Key data
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65% update their websites every six months or longer. |
68% have no strategy for smartphone and tablet users. |
70% think social media is too time consuming or complicated to manage properly. |
47% say that one of the biggest challenges with digital media is not enough knowledge or expertise. |
57% currently work with 2-3 providers/advisers for digital media but 76% would prefer to work with just one. |
Additional facts
- Additional challenges respondents cited in connection with digital media were not enough time, advertising budget not large enough and not enough resources.
- The use of mobile internet is increasing, but most companies (70%) do not have a mobile-optimised website.
- When it comes to working with providers/advisors of digital media services, SMEs have asked them to stop providing no value, wasting time, increasing budgets and using flavour of the month products.
- SMEs are seeking service providers that can educate them, train them and understand their business needs.
The 2014 Small Business Advertising Survey was sent to 1008 SMEs to examine attitudes about the economy, marketing budgets and whether social media and digital media were being used to generate leads. The results have been used by Thrive Analytics to create the research report, 2014 Small Business Economic & Advertising Outlook.
You can find out more about the report here.
Additional information is also available in Thrive Analytics’ blog.
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