Survey: New Zealand businesses not taking advantage of the internet

New Zealand, the most geographically isolated member of the wealthy OECD group of nations, is a country that could have much to gain from the internet revolution. New research indicates, however, that many New Zealand businesses are not taking full advantage of what the internet has to offer.

According to a survey conducted for the MYOB Business Monitor, just 34 percent of Kiwi businesses own websites, while only 20 percent make use of ecommerce.

Julian Smith, general manager of business software company MYOB, suggested that the findings point to a significant opportunity for New Zealand’s business sector. “We know businesses that have a website, and trade online, perform better - generating more revenue gains than businesses without a website”. Getting more New Zealand businesses online would lead to “real results” in improving the country’s economy, Smith said.

The study also examined the relationship between sales and website ownership and found that while 28 percent of businesses without a website experienced a rise in revenues in the last 12 months, 37 percent of businesses with a website reported an increase.

The MYOB Business Monitor has been conducting business research in Australia since 2003 and in New Zealand since 2009.