Virtually all small businesses that order their supplies online say free shipping is an important decision factor when selecting a retailer.
According to a recent survey commissioned by US stationery retailer Staples, 99 per cent of small businesses that order online say it saves them time and money, and nearly half (46 per cent) feel that their small business could not operate without this cost-saving benefit.
Surveying a national random sample of 300 small businesses (with 20 or fewer employees), Staples asked them to identify their preferences and habits when shopping for business supplies online (including the use of mobile devices to make purchases).
While small businesses use multiple ways to shop for office supplies, and a significant number make store visits, one in two small businesses order online.
Small businesses keep an eye on both costs and convenience when deciding to shop online. In terms of the greatest benefit for online ordering, 86 per cent of respondents said that it saves them time.
For those who do not shop online, 50 per cent said that it’s due to shipping costs and 51 per cent said it’s more convenient to pick up an item in-store.
Going Mobile
In the survey Staples commissioned, small businesses reported how likely they are to leverage mobile capabilities, such as a smartphone, for searching and purchasing supplies online.
Small businesses that shop online frequently (three or more times per month) are more than twice as likely to say that mobile capabilities are important than those that place one to two orders online per month. Additionally, more than a quarter of small businesses (27 per cent) say they already have a device capable of making these
purchases.
To address the growing need for mobile capabilities, Staples recently enhanced its existing mobile website so customers can easily shop and buy on any web-enabled phone. For customers who prefer applications, Staples created its first iPhone app which can be downloaded free in the iTunes App Store.
Saving the Day
Small business customers said that when they can’t afford to leave their office for needed supplies, they go online. From running out of ink cartridges in the middle of tax season, needing the perfect paper to meet a tight client deadline, or having a computer monitor die in the middle of a power outage, these small businesses agree: fast and free delivery is a must-have to keep a business running.
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