Canadian small businesses have struggled to keep up with eCommerce and multi-channel customer management. In fact, a 2015 Canadian Internet Registration Authority (CIRA) report found that 40% of Canadian small businesses didn’t have a website at all. Meanwhile, consumers in this country have fully embraced online shopping and product research. The majority of them also prefer shopping within Canada when they have a choice. Canadian online shoppers are making more purchases and the variety of purchasing categories is growing too. Clearly, many companies are leaving a serious amount of money on the cyber table.
What do Canadians Shop for Online?
42% of Canadians buy clothing online
40% purchase travel-related services
34% shop for books online
33% buy entertainment tickets through a website
32% of Canadian shoppers purchase electronics on the Internet
29% use eCommerce to buy household goods
26% pay online for government services
24% of Canadians shop for applications or games for their mobile device
23% of online shoppers in this country buy music
22% pay for movies, videos or TV online
What do Canadian Small Businesses Purchase Online?
61% of Canadian small businesses purchase travel-related services
50% buy clothing online
45% purchase electronics on the Internet
45% buy entertainment tickets through a website
39% of Canadian small businesses shop for books online
34% use eCommerce to purchase office supplies
Canadian Consumers Want to “Shop Canada” Online
There has never been a better environment for online expansion in Canada, with 62% of those surveyed stating their preference for shopping at Canadian online stores.
44% of shoppers want to support the Canadian economy by keeping their money here.
19% want to save money on shipping.
17% say the low loonie makes cross-border shopping less attractive.
16% of Canadian online consumers don’t like being hit with a duty and/or tax bill.
So What are you Waiting For?
Following are some resources to help you take full advantage of all the Internet has to offer:
Top Online Business and Marketing Books of 2015
Checklist: Choosing a Website Host for your Canadian Business
Help for the 54% of Canadian Small Businesses Without a Website (Statistics)
Canadian Stores Can Grab Global Online Shoppers (Statistics)
Test eCommerce Waters with Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)
Canadian Omni-Channel Panel Shares Insights
How to Start an Affiliate Program for a Canadian Business
There are numerous free and reasonably-priced courses available to help you learn online business and related subjects, such as online marketing.
What is holding you back from taking your business online or expanding into multi-channel customer management? Please share your questions and concerns in the comments below.
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Melody McKinnon is an internet entrepreneur with 25 years of experience in a wide range of online business models, backed by a formal business education and enhanced by training and mentorship. She has owned or managed both educational and ecommerce websites. Her book, 7 Recession Proof Online Businesses to Start From Home, is available from all major ebook retailers.
Melody has worked with many businesses & brands in a multitude of capacities. She can often be found on CanadianDigitalMedia.com, CanadiansInternet.com, CanadianFamily.net, and AllNaturalPetCare.com, as well as other quality digital publications. Her content has earned reference links from highly-respected websites, magazines and university textbooks.
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It’s funny how small biz buying is so much like personal buying. Surprised so many businesses buy books too. I’m such a numbers nerd LOL I enjoy stats. Maybe i should change careers.
It’s just a normal part of shoppping, even if you’re just doing research. I’d LOVE to buy more in Canada and I always check Canadian stores first but they’re just not there most of the time. I hope that changes soon!
I love how Canadians are becoming aware of just how much they can help the economy by shopping here. The sad loonie doesn’t hurt either.
We’re working on a website and hope to be there for Canadians by Summer! Such an exciting time to be in retail!