The Sage Pay Business Benchmark Report: RIP PPC - Social key to Small e-business Success

LONDON, March 7, 2013 /PRNewswire/ --

• Pay Per Click is not generating profit for small businesses - report finds that results from social media investment (25% of budget) are greater than PPC investment (35% of budget)
• More profitable businesses spend less on marketing (1-10% of revenue) - but spend it more wisely
• 73% of businesses have optimised site for mobile commerce, with 18% investing upwards of £1000 on the process
• Focusing on converting sales over driving traffic through PPC is key to business success in 2013

Small online businesses in the UK that invest more in Pay Per Click than other marketing methods are reporting dwindling profits, according to insights from the UK's leading payment processor, Sage Pay. The third annual Sage Pay e-business Benchmark Report of 1500 online businesses in the UK shows that driving traffic through PPC, whilst remaining top choice for businesses, drives less business transactions than when compared to those that invest more in social media and optimising sites to convert sales.

PPC claimed the majority of the marketing budgets in 2012, however the most successful businesses were found to spend less on PPC (27% of budget) - while their less successful competitors spent 10% more (35% budget spend).

By contrast, investing in engaging customers through social platforms proved to yield better results - companies posting higher profits spent 25% of their budget on social media compared to 19% for those whose profits lagged in the last year.  Additionally a huge 73% have optimised their site for m-commerce, with increasing investments made in on-going optimisation and app development.

Simon Black, CEO of Sage Pay, said: "It is a highly competitive market and the disappointing January sales figures show just how important it is to convert at the final hurdle. Our research shows that more profitable businesses are finding alternatives to drive traffic to their sites, through social media, and mobile optimisation.   With 28% of small businesses losing most transactions at the final payment stage, investing in new channels that engage at all points of the customer journey is essential.  Those that do not look to new channels and methods to engage their audience, will really suffer this year."

Online businesses that work hard both to get customers to their sites and convert them are the most successful.  31% of businesses see offers as the biggest driver for sales conversions, with a range of payment choices coming second (18%), and fast delivery times and minimal checkout pages following suit at 14% and 12% respectively.

In terms of overall marketing spend, the research reveals that small e-businesses spend between 1% and 10% of their total revenue on marketing, with 59% of high-performers in this range. Interestingly, only 20% of companies with equivalent success spend higher than this figure (between 10-20%), which shows that spend and success in marketing are not necessarily linked.

Black said: "Getting the basics right, coupled with the best placement of investment and effort, is key to business vitality. The amount companies spend on marketing is not the issue - what matters is looking at new ways to reach customers and making sure their journey through the site to sale is well thought through and compelling to reduce friction and boost conversions."

*Sage Pay has defined a small e-business as one conducting fewer than 5,000 transactions per quarter and a large e-business as transacting over 5,000 transactions per quarter.

For further information, please visit: http://www.benchmarkyourebusiness.com

Notes to Editor

About Sage Pay

Sage Pay is Europe's leading independent payment service provider (PSP) and is one of the most trusted payment brands.  Every year Sage Pay processes billions of pounds worth of secure payments for its 40,000 customers and makes the process of accepting payments online, over the phone, or in person simpler, faster, safer and more profitable for businesses.
 
Sage Pay is a subsidiary of FTSE 100 business management software and services company The Sage Group plc.

For further information please visit http://www.sagepay.com

About The Sage Group plc.

The Sage Group plc. is a leading global provider of business management software to small and medium sized companies, creating greater freedom for them to succeed. Sage understands how and why each business is unique. We provide products and services that suit varying needs, are a pleasure to use and are secure and efficient. Formed in 1981, Sage was floated on the London Stock Exchange in 1989 and entered the FTSE 100 in 1999. Sage has over 6 million customers and more than 13,600 employees in 24 countries covering the UK & Ireland, mainland Europe, North America, South Africa, Australia, Asia and Brazil.

For further information please visit http://www.sage.com

For more information, please contact:
Marlin PR
sage@marlinpr.com / +44(0)207-932-5580
Amy Monro
Sage Pay Europe Ltd
Amy.monro@sagepay.com