phc july 2011
www.phcnews.com
INTERNET USAGE SURVEY
Do you make purchases directly from the Web?
No 39% Yes 61% Sixty-one percent of the
contractors surveyed make purchases directly from the Internet. That number is on the rise from year to year, while the feeling of security while making those purchases via the web remains about the same — 70% feel secure to 30% do not.
More respondents make purchases over the Internet this year, and, as in last year’s survey, most find it a useful, safe way to purchase products.
Do you feel secure making purchases via the internet?
No 30% Yes 70%
Do you use the Internet for education and training?
Yes: 74% No: 26%
Most contractors find Web-based tools useful to help educate and train employees.
The Internet can be an
invaluable resource for contractor training and education. Seventy- four percent use the resource for education/training, while 26% still do not use it for that purpose.
43 Contractors are using the Internet a bit more every
year when it comes to placing orders with their wholesaler suppliers. Although not an overwhelming number, 57% place orders via the web, while 43% still do business the old- fashioned way, by visiting their local supply house. Of those that do purchase from suppliers via the Internet, 54% purchase one to five items, 18% buy 6-10 items, 13% 11-15 items, 11% buy 16-50 items and 4% purchase 50+ items.
No 43%
Do you use the Internet to place orders with wholesaler suppliers?
If yes, how much per month? Yes 57%
1-5.......54% 6-10.....18% 11-15 ...13% 16-20.....6% 21-50 ....5% 50+........4%
The same percentage of contractors place orders via the Internet this year, with more using it one to five times a month and fewer six to ten times.
e Continued on p 44 Social media is taking businesses by storm, and it can no longer be viewed as a
Are you currently using social media for your business? If yes, which social media tools
are you utilizing for business? Facebook®
: 74% LinkedIn®: 41%
Blogs: 24% Online Forums: 22%
Twitter® : 18% YouTube® MySpace®
: 15% : 4%
Facebook still is the contractor favorite as an online business tool, although LinkedIn use doubled and online forums fell nearly by half.
new trend. Contractors need to take full advantage of this mostly free online resource. It is a great and essential way to connect with peers, clients and a better way to build a stronger brand or generate leads. But the numbers are astonishing! Seventy-three percent of the contractors surveyed use social media and networking. Congratulations, 27%, you are the in the now and on your way to a stronger business as you take full advantage of every possible tool out there! Of the 27% using social media, 74% are using Facebook®
connection site LinkedIn® videos online.
; 41% use the professional ; 24% have their
own/read blogs; 22% check out industry online forums and interactive chats; 18% use Twitter® and tweet; and 15% take advantage of YouTube®
No: 73%
Yes: 27%
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