Observed Signal · Aug 27, 2021 · Survey · Source: OnlineMarketing.de · Impact: 2/5 · Sentiment: Positive

GoDaddy Small Business Digital Index 2021: Untapped Digital Marketing Potential

Executive Signal Summary

GoDaddy conducted the Small Business Digital Index survey across German and European SMBs (up to 50 employees) to evaluate how digitally prepared they are and how they plan to expand digital marketing. In Germany, 58% value personal customer contact for relationship-building, compared with 42% in France. The February 2021 survey (conducted about 1.5 years after the pandemic began) reveals how small businesses have approached building customer proximity in a digital environment and how they intend to expand it. Marketing relies on websites and social media: 60% already use their website as a marketing tool, 18% plan to build one, and 21% do not yet fully exploit online marketing. Social channels are pivotal, with 44% using social media for marketing or online shopping; Facebook is used by 81% and Instagram by 50%. Budget allocations show 40% invest offline-only, while 23% use a mixed online/offline approach. About one-third plan to boost SEO (31%) and 28% plan to start email marketing campaigns in 2021.

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Provides industry insight into SMB digital marketing adoption in Germany/Europe

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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding

  • GoDaddy surveyed German and European SMBs (≤50 employees) for the Small Business Digital Index 2021.
  • 60% of German SMBs use their own website as a marketing tool; 18% plan to build one; 21% do not yet fully exploit online marketing.
  • Facebook is the most used social network for marketing (81%); Instagram is second (50%).
  • 40% of German SMBs invest only offline in marketing; 23% use a mix of online and offline.
  • 31% plan to increase SEO; 28% plan to start email marketing campaigns in 2021.
Primary Source Grounding & Direct Attribution
Direct Origin Attribution
Primary Reporting: OnlineMarketing.de•Published: Aug 27, 2021
Original Coverage Title: “GoDaddy Small Business Digital-Index 2021: Ungenutzte Potentiale beim digitalen Marketing - | OnlineMarketing.de”

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