Stats Show That Canadians Want E-Commerce

Just how important is it for you to make your products and services available to customers online? According to Melody McKinnon of CanadiansInternet.com, it couldn’t be more important! Not surprisingly, studies have shown that Canadian shoppers love convenience. Who wouldn’t? She reveals that 85 percent of Canadian consumers report that “personal service and convenience are the number one reason they support small businesses.”

These findings are based on a 2013 Rogers Small Business Research Report. The report also reveals that Canadians also prefer to support local businesses with 62 percent of respondents reporting that they are “proud to shop local.” However, there is another statistic that is especially important for Canadian business owners to pay attention to. And it has to do with the nation’s love of online shopping.

“Over half of Canadians (51%) indicated they would buy from small businesses more often if they could do so online,” informs McKinnon, “When it comes to Generation Y (consumers age 18-35)…e-commerce options are not only wanted, they’re expected. The data indicates that 60% of Gen Y thinks small businesses should have an e-commerce website and are not active enough online. Less than 35% of Baby Boomers indicated they agreed.”

So what does this mean for your business? The younger generation clearly wants to utilize your company website in order to support you. If you’re not offering them an e-commerce solution, you run the risk of going largely overlooked. Take a look at the statistic once again. More than half of Canada’s young consumers want you to buy from your online store! Isn’t it time you offered that option?

Here are some more statistics to drive home the point. McKinnon reveals that 60 percent of the survey’s respondents want e-commerce shopping options. 51 percent expect for Canadian businesses to have strong social media presences. This means that it’s important for you to be active on the Facebooks and Twitters of the world. As well, it pays to reward your customers. 68 percent of the respondents say that they want loyalty rewards programs.

“It’s important that Canadian small businesses recognize the diversity in the modern market,” reiterates McKinnon, “With a significant number of all shoppers looking for e-commerce options and online interaction, accommodating today’s (and tomorrow’s) consumer can greatly contribute to a healthy bottom line. It expands your market considerably as well.” To further the point, she goes on to reveal the findings of an RBC survey from 2013.

Perhaps the most telling findings from the survey are the following: “38% of businesses that do have e-commerce-enabled websites generate over 25% of their revenue through online sales. An impressive 22% of those surveyed boast that over 50% of their revenue comes from online sales. Small businesses in Canada that aren’t online are clearly leaving a lot of money on the table.” Can it be put any more clearly than that?

At Canadian POS Corporation, we offer Canadian business owners the e-commerce solution they’re looking for! It enables you to easily and securely accept and process all credit cards through your website. Of course, that includes Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. For more information, please don’t hesitate to contact us by calling 1-877-748-2884 or emailing info@localhost.