Hunter businesses get online

Half of all Hunter businesses with an internet connection have a dedicated website, with 92 per cent of businesses using their site to advertise their goods and services, recent research from the Hunter Valley Research Foundation (HVRF) reveals.

Results from the March 2007 HVRF business monitor survey show that the proportion of businesses with internet access which also have a home page or dedicated site has grown from 40 per cent in 2000 to 52 per cent in March this year. Around one-quarter of businesses without a site intend to get one in the next 12 months.

HVRF Co-Director of Research Robin Mcdonald says the survey on Hunter business computer and internet usage, which has been undertaken seven times since its inception in September 2000, also shows steady growth in the total proportion of businesses taking orders on their computers, from 8 to 20 per cent.

Other results include:

A significant growth in the take-up of Broadband among businesses with internet access (15% in 2003 to 82% in 2007)
A steady increase in the use of email to communicate externally with customers from 56 per cent of businesses with computers in 2000 to 87 per cent in 2007
Steady increase in the proportion of businesses with computers and Internet access that are placing orders via the internet (37-64%).

For more information on the survey findings, please contact Robin Mcdonald by telephoning 02 4969 4566 ext 526 or email robin@hvrf.com.au