Is Your Business Falling Behind?
Despite Ireland’s booming digital economy, a startling report from the IE Domain Registry (IEDR) reveals that only 35% of Irish small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can process payments online. This places many businesses at a serious disadvantage as consumer spending continues to shift online.
The report, published ahead of key shopping periods like Black Friday and Christmas, also shows that just two in five SMEs can take online sales orders, and only 14% of these businesses plan to offer special online deals during this crucial time.
David Curtin, CEO of IEDR, described the findings as a digital crisis, urging immedia
te action from the Government, industry organisations, and Local Enterprise Offices to help Irish SMEs sell online. With Irish consumers spending €6 billion annually on eCommerce—most of which is spent on foreign websites—Ireland’s SMEs are losing out on a massive opportunity.
Curtin warns: “By 2020, the value of Ireland’s digital economy is expected to more than double to €21 billion. Our SMEs risk being left out of this commercial revolution if they don’t invest in their online capabilities.”
On a more positive note, the report highlights increased social media engagement among Irish businesses. From 2014 to 2015, the number of SMEs using Facebook grew from 44% to 51%, Twitter usage increased from 15% to 22%, and LinkedIn adoption doubled from 8% to 16%. This shows a willingness to engage online, but without eCommerce integration, businesses are missing the most critical piece of the digital puzzle.
Are you ready to close this gap and take advantage of the growing digital economy? At Matrix Internet, we’ve been helping businesses build eCommerce-enabled websites for over 15 years. Our experience in eCommerce web development and digital marketing can help you capture more of the Irish eCommerce market, so your business doesn’t get left behind.
Need an eCommerce website or a fresh digital marketing strategy? Contact Matrix Internet today, or take our free website grader to start your journey toward online success!
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