WEB PRESENCE AND SOCIAL MEDIA

In the year ended 30 June 2014, almost half of all businesses had a web presence (47%) and nearly a third had a social media presence (31%).

Reasons for Not Having a Web Presence

The ABS defines businesses with a web presence as those with a website, homepage or other web presence but excludes those listed solely as part of an online listing. In 2013-14, 47% of businesses had a web presence. Businesses with access to the internet but no web presence were asked to identify the reasons why they did not have a web presence. Businesses were provided with a list of options and could select more than one reason.

Reasons for not having a web presence, by employment size(a)(b), 2013-14
		0-4 persons	5-19 persons	20-199 persons	200 or more persons	Total
		%	%	%	%	%
	Lack of customer demand	14.8	15.3	11.7	7.7	14.8
	Set up costs too high	15.0	18.7	26.7	np	16.2
	Ongoing maintenance costs too high	10.5	13.2	20.7	np	11.4
	Lack of technical expertise	18.8	23.7	23.3	np	20.1
	Other	5.0	9.2	5.2	27.4	6.0
	No need for a web presence	60.6	51.4	53.8	66.7	58.2
np not available for publication but included in totals where applicable, unless otherwise indicated
(a) Proportions are of those businesses with internet access but no web presence in each output category.
(b) Businesses could identify more than one reason.

Overall, the most common reason reported by businesses was that they had no need for a web presence, at 58%.

Businesses with 5-19 persons employed were the least likely to report that they had no need for a web presence (51%).

Businesses with 20-199 persons employed were the most likely to report set up costs too high (27%) and ongoing maintenance and updating costs too high (21%) as reasons for not having a web presence.

The Information media and telecommunications and Mining industries had the highest proportion of businesses that reported lack of customer demand (both 27%), while Accommodation and food services had the highest proportion of businesses that reported set up costs too high (34%). Four in five businesses in the Agriculture, forestry and fishing industry reported no need for a web presence (80%), the highest proportion of any industry.

Further statistics relating to reasons for not having a web presence can be accessed via the Downloads tab.


Social Media Activities

The 2013-14 Business Characteristics Survey was the first time detailed information for social media activities were collected. Businesses that had a social media presence were asked to identify whether they used social media to undertake a selection of activities. Businesses could identify more than one type of social media activity.

Social media activities used, by employment size(a)(b), 2013-14
		0-4 persons	5-19 persons	20-199 persons	200 or more persons	Total
		%	%	%	%	%
	Develop company image or market products	73.8	83.3	79.5	79.7	78.6
	Communicate with customers	63.4	71.5	78.5	72.3	69.0
	Involve customers in development or innovation of products	17.4	20.4	20.9	18.6	19.2
	Collaborate with partners or other organisations	14.0	12.3	15.0	18.4	13.5
	Recruit employees	11.4	22.3	24.5	48.0	18.3
	Exchange views, opinions or knowledge within the business or wider enterprise group	24.2	19.1	24.5	30.6	22.2
	Other activities	2.5	2.2	2.3	2.0	2.3
(a) Proportions are of all businesses with a social media presence as at 30 June 2014 in each output category.
(b) Businesses could identify more than one activity.

The most commonly reported activity for social media use was develop company image or market products (79%), followed by communicate with customers (69%). This trend was consistent across all employment size ranges.

Further statistics relating to social media activities used can be accessed via the Downloads tab.