Online Business

Internet Statistics

[July 29, 2000] A new study of Internet use in Canada suggests that 70 percent of the country's adults now have online access, either at home, at work, or at school. And that number, according to the pollsters at Angus Reid Group, is up dramatically from the 55 percent it found had Internet access in 1999.

Canada is only behind the U.S.A. in Internet access

And yet, a survey (Deloitte & Touche and Angus Reid Group) showed that for Canadian online buyers, 70% prefer to buy from Canadian sites, yet 60% buy from companies outside of Canadawhen they go online - usually American! Why? There are fewer Canadians doing business online and they charge higher prices. Online shoppers don't care where you are if you can deliver the goods at a better price. Hardly surprising.

Sadly, an Andersen Consulting poll in June 1999 showed that 70% of Canadian executives don't see e-commerce as worthy of a strategic initiative. "Build it and they will come," from the movie Field of Dreams, doesn't work for Web sites.

You must built it, market it, advertise it, and provide solid service - and only then will customers do business online with you! It's more difficult to do it right the first time, but in the end, you will be further ahead at lower cost with a better business image.

• Additional Information:
• Web 101 for Business
• Web 102 Web Marketing for Business
• 8 Steps to creating a Web site
• Business Web Plan
• Domain Names explained
• Starting a Consulting Business
• Internet statistics