For the past four weeks I have been working on training material for online courses to be delivered throughout NSW over the next 18 months.
From the research I’ve seen it seems less than 60 per cent of SMEs (Small to Medium sized Enterprises) currently have a website, which means over 1 in 3 are yet to make the final step to join the online ‘revolution’ - or perhaps ‘evolution’ would be a better word.
The Federal Government is keen to help these small businesses and at the same time promote the future use of its planned very fast broadband service we know as the NBN, or National Broadband Network, which is being rolled out over the next 8 years.
When the NBN is finally complete 98 per cent of all Australian homes will be connected with fibre optic cable which will change everything we currently know about the internet.
Here are two important statistics we already know about how people use the net:
• 61% of all Australians purchased something online last year
• 62% of all offline purchases were influenced by online research
You would have to agree these two facts are pretty impressive but the impact of very fast broadband will elevate these numbers even further and in ways few people understand.
Perhaps the easiest way to understand the difference in user experience is to use the analogy of comparing a bicycle with a motorcycle.
Yes, they both have two wheels.
Yes, the rider sits on top in the middle
And they both steer with handle bars
But let’s face it, sitting astride a throaty Harley roaring down the highway could never be compared to pedalling your favourite Malvern Star no matter how nostalgic you may be.
But what I personally look forward to is much improved video.
Imagine having digital TV quality resolution
A full screen image (don’t you hate those small players)
And yes, no buffering (wait time for downloads). My pet hate
One thing most demographers agree though is that virtually everyone living in the 21st century wants instant gratification these days and for just about all activities.
In fact, online, this is probably more evident than in many other pursuits.
e.g. the average web surfer will only spend about 3 seconds maximum deciding which item to click on next. And, especially important for website owners, two out of every three online transactions are never completed.
Many of the current hindrances online will be swept away and the appeal will be so pervasive it will relegate all other media to a support role.
Yes, we will always have TV, newspapers and radio - but the internet will be king!
And if you want to get really serious, consider this:
In terms of competitive strategy ‘me too’ has always been the least risky option to pursue in any business venture.
So, if you are a small business expecting, and working towards, a rosy future then getting your enterprise online is a real ‘no brainer’. In fact, I would go so far as to say that to deliberately stay offline is now becoming a death sentence.
Join the evolution now!
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