American small businesses are pushing the limits on new ways to improve efficiency in the prolonged downturn including a steady increase in social media adoption. The third wave of the Small Business Success Index™ (SBSI) sponsored by Network Solutions® and the Center for Excellence in Service at the University of Maryland’s Smith School of Business reports social media adoption by small business has doubled from 12% to 24% in the last year.
The major concern with social media is that it takes more time than expected to use (50% of active users), but 45% of small businesses using social media expect it to be profitable in the next 12 months. The study also provides information on the effects of the economic downturn (including some that are positive), small business technology investments, customer service, and strategies used by successful small businesses to differentiate themselves from competition. Click here for more details from Network Solutions®.
For inquires about Rockbridge’s work in the small business sector, please contact Gina Woodall, President at 703-757-5213 ext. 11 or gwoodall@rockresearch.com, or Charles Colby, Chief Methodologist and Founder, at 703.757.5213 ext. 12 or ccolby@rockresearch.com.