New research highlights the importance of a good website to online retailers.

Many businesses would see increased sales via their online retail operations if their websites were better designed, a new study has suggested.

Research by Hostway and Zeus Technology revealed that firms are potentially losing up to £5.65 billion per year because of poorly-designed websites, which leave some customers frustrated.

UK consumers have adopted online retail faster than any other country in Europe, however, 82 per cent of people said they would not buy goods from a company if their website failed to meet the standards expected.

Neil Barton, director at Hostway, said that businesses must ensure their website is a reflection of the quality that they offer and encourage shoppers to buy goods.

"With many of today's websites containing a lot more multimedia content, it is important that consumers receive a good online experience otherwise they may simply abandon their transaction," he added.

Nearly half of consumers who engage in online retail check print catalogues before purchasing goods via the internet, according to the Royal Mail Home Shopping Tracker 2009.

Posted by Mark Moore

Article Added: 02/03/2010 09:25:45