| Abstract: | Abstract This manuscript reports the results of a survey of small businesses' use of the Internet. The telephone survey of a random sample of 120 small businesses sought to determine the proportion of businesses with Internet access, how the Internet was being used by their organization, and organizational characteristics. Almost eighty percent of the respondents surveyed reported using a computer in their business. Of that group, about 69 percent reported they had Internet access and almost half had a Web page. When asked about how the Internet was being used in their business, the most common answer was to obtain general information, followed by ordering products and supplies, obtaining supplier information, obtaining customer information, obtaining competitor information, and for entertainment purposes. Respondents who had Internet access were also asked whether they had a Web page. Almost one-half indicated that they had a Web page. Of those who did not have a Web page, about one-half planned on having one within a year. Companies reported that most common uses of their Web sites were to display company or product information and engage in advertising of their products. Some businesses were also using their Web site to sell products. Most companies with a Web site had experienced an increase in sales. |
