Last February 2019, HooteSuite in Collaboration with We are Social released Digital 2019 Report. It examines digital trends and social media use across 230 countries and territories. And here’s what uncover in the Philippines
If you are not in the Internet, you might be losing 71% of your Business
The Philippines has 107.3M total Population and 71% of it are internet users. Internet user’s growth by 2018 is 13% (9 Milion) faster than PH population growth which is only 1.5% (+2M). Imagine how big is the opportunity when you are on the internet? If you want to grow in your business, go online and your target will grow 13% at most. But if you will not do it properly, you will be losing 71% of your market.
I heard some business owners who refuse to go online. They always say they do not need it and they have customers who are sustaining the business. But not knowing, they are starting to ruin their credibility and their competitors are eating them up. What do you think of a business without a website? Not innovating? Too small and they can’t afford it? Illegal? Fly-by-Night? You guess what’s comes to their mind?
Facebook Messenger became the main communication
93% of all internet users are using a mobile messenger. And number one here in the Philippines is using Facebook Messenger. No wonder that we Filipinos utilized it since we are a Facebook country. If you have a fan page or you are utilizing Facebook to your business, make sure that you can respond to messages online or your website has messenger chat integration. This would be an opportunity for you to connect to your customer 24/7.
Almost all are relaying to Mobile Map Services
80% of Internet users are using mobile map services. If your business has multiple branches or locations, make sure that your business is into Google map. Or else you might miss customers who want to visit your shop or store.
People search in the internet first before they buy
70% Purchased a product or service online (any devices). Here’s an optimized website comes to play. If your website has no relevant keyword, your website would be useless. Specially today that all businesses are competing with any search term.
If you want to grow your business double digit, have an Ecommerce website
Here another fun fact. last 2018, companies with eCommerce website increase their revenue in an average of +22% and the figure would be expected to increase this 2019. If you want to increase your revenue by 22%, maybe having an eCommerce site would be a better option.
Be Mobile Responsive or else your customers will hate you
57% of internet users made an online purchase via a mobile device. So make sure your website has a better render on mobile. No wonder many digital marketing agencies are promoting to have a mobile responsive site. Its because, your customers will hate you if you are not. Imagine how irritable it is to zoom in or out your website to mobile screen.
Filipinos are really Internet Savvy
Filipinos are spending 10 hours and 2 minutes in an average on the internet every day. Imagine, its longer than how a person sleeps, eat, do the laundry and or go to work. I realized how Filipinos are fond of surfing in spite of Philippines’ turtle-like internet connection.
Women are more into Social Media than Men
For Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat, females are more of these sites than males. An estimate of 70:30 ratio. So if your products cater to women, put your business in social media.
Embrace technology or you will be left behind
In summary, Filipinos now are more geared to technology. And if you resist changing, it will happen soon that you will be left behind. I remember my former boss before that she dislikes having millennial employee because how generation became so dependent on technology. Without realizing that soon, millennials would be the new leaders of the world. Technology will help you or break you if you will not use it to your advantage. If I where you, use it to grow your business.
I was impressed with your article. Did you do this yourself or did you have help?
Running a successful online business here can be easy. The one thing that is lacking the most with many businesses here is great customer service. I’ve found that the response time with many is like driving in Manila traffic! Knowing when to give a potential client a response is critical in the success of any business. If you tell someone I’ll get you an answer by 2:00pm and you don’t have the answer by then, call anyway and let them know you haven’t got the answer. Don’t ever keep a client waiting!
Ecommerce is the way to success. Take advantage of every advantage you can use for success. KNOW YOUR COMPETITORS AND WHAT THEY’RE OFFERING! Be able to show your clients what you’re offering is better.
If you ever need some help or direction let me know. I’m retired and have plenty of time. I was a manufacturer’s represenative for 24 years in systems furniture and computer related products. We represented Fortune 500 corporations and I learned that in order to be successful, I had to know my competitors. My success was always be honest and be better in my response time.
Good luck to you!
Hi James,
Yes, I did it on my own. Thank you for your insight.
I agreed on what have you said. moreover, negative customer service has a big impact on business. Actually, in my experience in digital marketing, customers are becoming more impatient than before and a right-away response is very vital. Not only that, competitors are becoming more or more competitive too.
Thank you for reading my blog.
Have a great day.
Cathy