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Small Businesses Around the World Embrace Technology, to Connect with Customers Locally, Nationally and Internationally

This Facebook/Ipsos poll focuses on how using technology to connect with customers helps small and medium-sized businesses

Washington, DC, February 27, 2020 – Using technology to connect with customers helps small and medium-sized businesses increase their reach and improve their competitiveness, according to an online study conducted by Ipsos for Facebook, Inc (“Facebook”) among more than 28,000 small business owners and employees in 32 countries in August 2019 through February 2020. The surveyed businesses report that Facebook apps play a positive role in their communities, bringing them together and helping create new jobs locally.

Across the 32 countries surveyed, selected findings from selected markets include:

  • Online and mobile marketing tools are a growing part of the business (83% of businesses in Brazil; 67% of businesses in Canada; 45% of businesses in France; 84% of businesses in Malaysia; 73% of businesses in Turkey).
  • Traditional ways of promoting a business, like television or print, are too expensive for many businesses to consider (64% of businesses in Brazil; 55% of businesses in Canada; 64% of businesses in France; 72% of businesses in Malaysia; 47% of businesses in Turkey).
  • Substantial shares of businesses report that their business is stronger today because of using Facebook apps (71% of businesses in Brazil; 46% of businesses in Canada; 53% of businesses in France; 76% of businesses in Malaysia; and 59% of businesses in Turkey).
  • Many businesses say that use of the Facebook apps has led to higher sales (60% of businesses in Brazil; 34% of businesses in Canada; 43% of businesses in France; 64% of businesses in Malaysia; and 46% of businesses in Turkey).
  • For many businesses, Facebook apps are helping to bring local communities together (72% of businesses in Brazil; 49% of businesses in Canada; 56% of businesses in France; 77% of businesses in Malaysia; and 68% of businesses in Turkey).
  • About half of businesses say that Facebook apps help to create jobs in the local community (62% of businesses in Brazil; 43% of businesses in Canada; 45% of businesses in France; 75% of businesses in Malaysia; and 57% of businesses in Turkey).

 

About the Study

The online study was conducted between August 20, 2019, and February 5, 2020, using online opt-in panels, among 28,258 business owners and employees from small and medium-sized businesses, defined as those that employ no more than 250 employees.

The study was conducted in 32 countries within these regions:

Asia-Pacific: Australia (n=1,000), Hong Kong (n=500), Japan (n=2,100), Malaysia (n=500), New Zealand (n=500), Pakistan (n=500), Philippines (n=500), South Korea (n=950), Taiwan (n=1,000), Vietnam (n=500)

Europe: Belgium (n=500), France (n=1,104), Germany (n=1,000), Ireland (n=500), Italy (n=1,000), Netherlands (n=1,000), Poland (n=500), Spain (n=1,000), Sweden (n=785), United Kingdom (n=1,000)

Latin America: Argentina (n=500), Brazil (n=1,000), Chile (n=500), Colombia (n=900), Mexico (n=1,000)

Middle East/Africa: Israel (n=800), Nigeria (n=501), South Africa (n=501), Turkey (n=503), United Arab Emirates (n=500)

North America: Canada (n=1,200), United States (n=3,914)

The study was conducted in 21 languages:

Languages

Subsequent to data collection, a multi-step process was used for weighting to balance the sample by company size as well as geodemographic benchmarks of the target population indexed by gender, age and region.

About Facebook

Founded in 2004, Facebook's mission is to give people the power to build community and bring the world closer together. People use Facebook's apps and technologies to connect with friends and family, find communities and grow businesses.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is the world’s third-largest Insights and Analytics company, present in 90 markets and employing more than 18,000 people.

Our passionately curious research professionals, analysts, and scientists have built unique multi-specialist capabilities that provide true understanding and powerful insights into the actions, opinions, and motivations of citizens, consumers, patients, customers, or employees. We serve more than 5,000 clients across the world with 75 business solutions.

Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos is listed on the Euronext Paris since July 1st, 1999. The company is part of the SBF 120 and the Mid-60 index and is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD).

ISIN code FR0000073298, Reuters ISOS.PA, Bloomberg IPS: FP www.ipsos.com

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