Print ads are still the most popular form of marketing for SMEs, a report by Pitney Bowes has found, with 40 per cent saying it is part of their marketing mix.
But another 48 per cent of SMEs say that traditional marketing now accounts for 10 per cent or less of their marketing spend. Email is now the second most popular marketing activity done by 37 per cent and then Facebook at 26 per cent.
Although 49 per cent say that mobile is a part their marketing activity, just 8 per cent of the 500 SMEs surveyed has a mobile optimised website. 10 per cent say they want to invest in mobile this year, with a further 7 per cent committing to an investment in mobile payments
Pitney Bowes estimates that missed marketing opportunities lead to £122bn in lost sales.
“Whether they’re interacting with a multinational company or a local store, people have got used to and expect the convenience of mobile access,” the report said. “That means no business can afford to ignore mobile, yet our research shows that only 8 per cent of SMEs have a mobile optimised website.” 
SMEs make up 99.8 per cent of all businesses in the UK and provide six out of every 10 jobs. 35 per cent said that buying the stationery came ahead of marketing.
