Small Businesses Ask Government to Help Them Access Digital Tools

As a small business owner, I think it’s really important for the government to support us in getting the digital tools we need. You know, things like websites, social media, and online marketing. These tools can make a big difference in how we connect with our customers and grow our businesses.

I’m not alone in this view. Many small business owners like you and me feel the same way. We believe that by having access to these digital tools, we can compete with bigger companies and reach a wider audience. It’s like having a level playing field.

But here’s the thing: getting access to these tools isn’t always easy for small businesses. It can be overwhelming and confusing, especially if you’re not very tech-savvy. That’s why we need the government’s help. They can provide resources and support to make it easier for us to navigate the digital world.

Imagine if the government offered training programs and workshops specifically designed for small businesses. They could teach us how to create a website, set up social media accounts, and use online advertising effectively. These skills would be invaluable for us and would help us compete in today’s digital age.

Additionally, the government could partner with tech companies to offer discounted or free access to digital tools. This would make it more affordable for small businesses to invest in these resources. It would level the playing field and empower us to embrace the digital revolution.

I firmly believe that if the government promotes access to digital tools, small businesses like ours will thrive. We have so much potential, and with the right support, we can achieve great things. So, I urge the government to listen to our needs and take action. Together, we can create a future where small businesses thrive in the digital world.

I’ve got some fascinating news for you! There’s a new study that says small businesses that jumped on the digital bandwagon early and took full advantage of digital tools before COVID-19 hit have been much more successful than those who were hesitant to embrace technology.

This report, put out by the Connected Commerce Council (3C), reveals some impressive findings. Since the pandemic started a year ago, small businesses that were considered digitally advanced hired employees at more than twice the rate of businesses that were uncertain about using digital tools. Not only that, but these digitally advanced businesses only lost 12% of their revenue, while their uncertain counterparts lost 23%.

The Benefits of Early Adoption

The study, titled Digitally Driven: 2021, surveyed over 2,000 businesses in the United States. The data clearly shows that small businesses that fully embraced affordable digital tools before the pandemic didn’t just survive – they’re now in a prime position to thrive in the post-pandemic world.

I want to talk to you about something really important – the digital tools that small businesses are using during this pandemic. We call these tools a Digital Safety Net. This net includes things like online advertising to find customers, social media, financial and organizational tools to make sure the business runs smoothly, and even using online marketplaces to sell products. It’s pretty amazing how these tools are helping out!

What I’ve Learned from Digitally Driven

So, after a whole year of dealing with this pandemic, guess what? 59% of small businesses have found that digital tools are even more helpful to them now than before the lockdowns and restrictions caused by COVID-19. Can you believe that? It just shows how important these tools have become.

Here’s another interesting thing I discovered: 40% of small businesses are what we call Digitally Advanced. That means they use a whole bunch of different tools to help them out. On the other hand, 24% of small businesses are what we call Digitally Uncertain. These folks haven’t really jumped on the digital bandwagon yet and they’re a bit skeptical about using these tools. It’s a pretty big difference!

I want to share with you some fascinating information about small businesses and their adoption of digital tools and strategies during the pandemic. It’s really quite impressive!

Did you know that nearly all, I’m talking a whopping 97%, of digitally advanced small businesses embraced new digital tools and strategies during this challenging time? They knew they had to adapt and they did it well. On the other hand, only half, a mere 51%, of uncertain businesses followed suit. It’s clear that those who were digitally advanced had a leg up.

Here’s another mind-blowing stat for you: digitally advanced businesses not only managed to keep hold of their existing customers, but they also gained new customers at a rate 20 times better than uncertain businesses. That’s some serious success!

But here’s the real secret to success

According to a report, the key to thriving in this new normal is cooperation between the government and the private sector. Both big and small businesses need to jump aboard the digital train if they want to flourish in the months and years to come. It’s all about embracing this digital transformation.

For those businesses that are still uncertain and lagging behind, the report suggests that the goal should be to convert them into digitally advanced small businesses. That’s the ultimate aim of economic and small business policy. We want to help them make that leap into the digital world!

I believe that small businesses can greatly benefit from the digital safety net, expressed Lou Wasson, the spokesperson for the Connected Commerce Council. However, for this safety net to truly work, small businesses need better access to these valuable tools.

According to the report, the government has an important role to play in supporting small businesses by collaborating with the private sector. The aim is to offer more educational and training opportunities that address their lack of knowledge and potential concerns when it comes to investing in digital resources. By embracing these resources, small businesses can enhance their resilience in the face of challenges.

I want to tell you something important, something that can make a big difference for small businesses like yours. You see, there’s something called the Digital Safety Net. It’s a real thing, and it can help your business not just survive, but come back even stronger after tough times.

Over the past year, small businesses have been through a lot of hardship. Many of them have suffered greatly. But here’s the thing: it’s never too late to start embracing technology and using the Digital Safety Net to your advantage.

Let me share some eye-opening stats with you from the Digitally Driven Preview 2021 Report:

Stats from the Digitally Driven Preview 2021 Report

If it wasn’t for digital tools, around 11 million small businesses, which is about 37% of them, would have had to close down all or part of their business. Digital tools have been a lifeline for these businesses.

81% of small and medium-sized businesses have made changes to their business to include new digital tools and strategies because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It forced them to adapt, and they did.

Even after the pandemic, 93% of small businesses are still using digital tools and actually increasing their use of them. They’re seeing the benefits and sticking with it.