Web-savvy builders expect to grow their business twice as fast as those that aren't marketing their services on the internet, according to new research.
The research, conducted by thebestof, explored SMEs (small to medium sized enterprises) approach to marketing. It reveals that builders typically spend £3,000 on promoting their businesses - and 80% plan to spend as much if not more in the next year.
Those 76% that have a site are receiving 24% of their enquiries from the web, while the more web-aware SMEs are more likely to take business away from larger rivals, the research suggests.
Neil Botterill, chief executive of thebestof, commented: "What this research shows is that there's a whole generation of ordinary small businesses who have been quietly working in the background, using the web to steal market share from their bigger competitors."
However, others are mistakenly not taking advantage, according to Botterill. Of the 24% that responded that the internet holds no potential for their business, a third didn't see it as relevant and a further 56% believe it is the domain of bigger business.
He said: "Builders need to break out of this mindset. Some 69% of them turn to the web for their suppliers, so why do they think people looking for builders aren't doing the same?
"They need to realise that there are businesses exactly like theirs doing some very simple things to capture business through the web."
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