In conjunction with the kickoff of National Small Business Week, Time Warner Cable Business Class conducted a survey in regards to small business technology trends. Among the list of small business needs, Wi-Fi rose to the top.
The survey found that 80 percent of the respondents believed their customers expected free Wi-Fi, and Wi-Fi also topped the list as the best way to attract new customers, but only 43 percent of the businesses offered Wi-Fi.
While small businesses have done a better job of developing an online presence, 41 percent of those surveyed do not use a website in their day-to-day business, and 54 percent weren’t using social media to promote their business.
“In order for small businesses to perform at their best, they need to use technology productively,” said Maureen Link, group vice president, small business, Time Warner Cable Business Class. “Whether it’s a restaurant providing Wi-Fi to meet customer expectations, or a printing company using social media to reach new customers, technology provides the means for businesses to help their bottom line.”
The survey also found that while most of the businesses were evaluating their technology bi-annually or annually, 33 percent felt they had been negatively affected by out-dated technology while 35 percent were trying to fix their technology problems themselves.
While Time Warner Cable Business Class plans on moving up into the enterprise market, it still sees a lot of headroom in providing services and products to small businesses, including managed services that alleviate businesses’ IT problems. (For a rundown on Time Warner Cable’s business services strategy, see this recent Q&A with Time Warner Cable’s Phil Meeks, executive vice president and chief operating officer, business services.)
“The survey reveals that the top ‘must have’ services for small business are fast, reliable Internet access; clear, reliable phone service; and reliable WiFi service at their business location,” said Satyanarayana Parimi, group vice president, product management.