According to the data revealed by multiple studies, the switch to mobile e-commerce is already a well-defined global trend. For example, an April 2013 survey carried out by eMarketer showed that in the United States, online shopping using mobile devices is quickly taking over the US online retail industry. According to this survey, approximately 15 per cent of all online transactions are performed using a mobile device (mainly tablet PCs). This means that mobile-based e-commerce generates more than $39 million a year, a figure that is 50 per cent higher than in 2012.

Europe is not lagging behind, as the EU has been considered the world’s largest e-commerce market for several years. In 2013, more than €363 billion were generated via online shopping in the Eurozone, and in fact, the online retail industry accounts for 2.2 per cent of the EU’s gross domestic product.

E-commerce is also booming in the Asia-Pacific region, mainly as a result of the huge growth levels of populous countries like China or India. Online retail in this part of the world is actually growing faster than in Europe, and in 2013 total sales in Asia amounted to more than €406 billion. Asian e-shoppers are also developing a strong preference for mobile devices, particularly in China, where nearly 70 per cent of shoppers use their smartphones to shop online.

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According to the data revealed by multiple studies, the switch to mobile e-commerce is already a well-defined global trend. For example, an April 2013 survey carried out by eMarketer showed that in the United States, online shopping using mobile devices is quickly taking over the US online retail industry. According to this survey, approximately 15 per cent of all online transactions are performed using a mobile device (mainly tablet PCs). This means that mobile-based e-commerce generates more than $39 million a year, a figure that is 50 per cent higher than in 2012.

Europe is not lagging behind, as the EU has been considered the world’s largest e-commerce market for several years. In 2013, more than €363 billion were generated via online shopping in the Eurozone, and in fact, the online retail industry accounts for 2.2 per cent of the EU’s gross domestic product.

E-commerce is also booming in the Asia-Pacific region, mainly as a result of the huge growth levels of populous countries like China or India. Online retail in this part of the world is actually growing faster than in Europe, and in 2013 total sales in Asia amounted to more than €406 billion. Asian e-shoppers are also developing a strong preference for mobile devices, particularly in China, where nearly 70 per cent of shoppers use their smartphones to shop online.

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The Internet has opened up expansive opportunities for businesses in the U.S. By developing a website or taking advantage of social media, a business can quickly soar to success. Certain Internet industries hold great promise in the U.S., and a few examples include the development of consulting firms, freelance writing agencies, tutoring firms, legal services and more. Here is an in-depth look at the top web-based industries in the U.S.

Consulting Firms

Online consulting is an industry that has taken the U.S. by storm in recent years. Individuals in virtually any field can become consultants by starting a website. One can take all of his or her knowledge gained from a particular industry to start his or her own consulting business. There are numerous free blog and website makers available on the Internet to help an individual start a consulting firm with little capital.

Green Energy Companies

The Internet now provides small businesses with an opportunity to provide additional services that may have not been otherwise offered. The local plumbing or appliance repair company may decide to provide energy consulting appointments to homeowners. The Internet provides these companies with a powerful platform to advertise additional services. Homeowners can now set up online appointments for energy consulting services. With energy consulting services, homeowners are able to decrease their monthly utility costs.

Freelance Writing, Editing and Publishing Firms

Another top Internet industry consists of the many freelance writing, editing and publishing companies that operate solely online. Through these types of services, businesses are able to order content on demand. Individuals can receive professional assessments of a novel, white paper or other publication that they have produced. Also, individuals from all backgrounds can become freelance writers and editors. An individual does not need to have a full-time career at a major magazine or a B.A. in English in order to become a freelance writer. Those who want to try their hand at writing or simply enjoy the activity can take advantage of the opportunities to create content through online firms. Online firms can also bank on the decreased costs of hiring freelance writers on an independent contractual basis.

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Advertising is a fundamental aspect of business management, as no company would survive without some form of advertising, regardless of its size or location. The digital era we live in has brought about a number of significant changes to the world of corporate advertising, as marketers are increasingly moving away from traditional advertising methods and give preference to digital options. In this article we take a detailed look at how UK-based small and medium-sized companies advertise online and at the digital strategies that they use to sell their products and services. 

SMEs and online advertising: the latest general trends

It is evident that when it comes to online advertising, British companies have come a long way over the past few years. A 2011 study carried out by the Internet Advertising Bureau found that only three years ago, companies devoted £1 out of every £4 to their online advertising budget. Today, this figure is close to 30 per cent of the average advertising budget. The most recent data show that there are still many small and medium-sized companies that spend considerably less than 25 per cent of their marketing budget on online advertising, but far from being a negative point, this figure itself is a good indicator of how quickly digital advertising is taking over traditional advertising methods.

The unstoppable rise of mobile advertising

PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Internet Advertising Bureau have published the latest research findings on how small and medium-sized enterprises in the UK are using online advertising. The report dates from April 2014 and examines the strategies used by British companies during the previous year. One of the most significant trends evident in this report involves the unstoppable rise of mobile advertising, as expenditure in this area has grown by 50 per cent and now exceeds the £1 billion mark. The report also indicates that mobile advertising currently accounts for more than 35 per cent of all digital and social media advertising. The most remarkable growth has been experienced in the tablet-optimised advertising sub-sector, which grew by an astonishing 400 per cent during 2013. British SMEs went from spending £6.8 million in tablet advertising during 2012 to investing nearly £35 million in 2013.

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In 2015, major credit cards will begin to utilize chip-and-pin technology instead of black magnetic strips. Current credit cards in America use technology that is a minefield for hackers and easy to access. The new cards that will be introduced in 2015 feature a microchip that makes it extremely difficult for hackers to access. Every time a consumer uses a credit card, he or she will simply need to swipe and enter a PIN number.

New PIN Technology

With the new technology, staff members will not physically handle one’s credit card. When a staff member handles a credit card, he or she has the opportunity to write down a credit card number or make additional purchases with a card. The new technology allows customers to maintain control of the credit card.

Implementation of the Credit CARD Act

The Credit CARD Act will call for the new technology changes in 2015. Businesses will also be impacted by other aspects of the Act. For example, businesses will be restricted in the fees that they can charge for accepting credit cards. The new law requires that businesses charge “reasonable” fees for processing credit card transactions.

Other Effects on Businesses

Under the Credit CARD Act, businesses will need to invest in new equipment to be able to process credit cards. The new equipment may cost hundreds or thousands of dollars. Without the equipment, businesses will be unable to process credit cards in 2015.

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Just a few months into 2014, and trends for business and economic forecasts for the UK start to emerge. Surprising growth figures for January 2014 show the long anticipated recovery “green shoots” promised by the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

There certainly seems to be a methodology for business and economic forecasts in the UK, revolving around an intense battleground, featuring the UK government Department for Business and the Treasury spokespersons. A hallmark of this government under coalition, in one corner, valiant Liberal Democrat Vince Cable, backs all things to do with business. On the other side of the same ring, Chancellor George Osborne hammers home a staunchly conservative, with a small ‘c’, approach to an austerity vision he not only pioneered in the UK, but sold to the rest of Europe.

The word ‘austerity’ caught on like the battle cry of an ancient Celtic warrior in 2013. What, politically, was so out of fashion, now seems the accepted call-to-arms of the international economic community. We are a long way from Milton Friedman’s lasseiz-fare capitalism, sailing a course for the unknown. This is what makes business and economics forecasts for the UK in 2014 a little hard to predict, but incredibly important to watch and take note of.

One ancient British obsession, the weather, will have an impact on many forecasts for 2014. Unprecedented flooding reminds us all that you are ‘only as good as’ your profits last year. Insurance companies are sure to be downsizing float capital in preparation for payouts to the water-stricken victims of Somerset and beyond.

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It’s all passed in a blur of new features being added, people signing up, improvements being made and a large amount of contributions to the information on the site, but believe it or not Bizwiki has now been live to the public for six months.

And what an eventful six months they have been, too.

We have continuously been impressed with the quality of information that has been added by the general public. Yes, there has been the occasional piece of ‘self-promotion’ or advertising-copy masquerading as a review, but that’s par for the course on the modern internet and most of these have been removed within hours. What is far more impressive is the amount of businesses that have been added, contributions submitted and genuine reviews we have received from people who are trying to help improve the quality of information available for others.

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