74% of SMBs using cloud apps to run their business

Nearly three in four Australian small business owners (74%) are using at least one mobile- or web-based app to run their business, new research from Intuit QuickBooks Online indicates.

A survey of small business owners found that Australian small business owners are leading the way compared to their counterparts in the US, UK and Canada in terms of using the cloud and apps to run their business.

The results show that 81% of Australian small business owners run their business in the cloud and 71% use their smartphone for business.

The most common categories of apps used in running Australian small businesses include banking and finance (51%), as well as payment (49%).

But across the four markets, small business owners report facing barriers to using existing apps.

Around 40% believe there are too many apps to choose from, 41% face uncertainty over which apps are best suited to their business, 39% are concerned with costs associated with integration and training and 23% are grappling with complexity.

“We’re thrilled that small business owners around the world are transforming how they run their business and integrating innovative new technologies to improve how they operate,” Intuit Developer Group head Vinay Pai said.

“Insights from this global study further reinforce our strategy to focus on delivering quality apps that eliminate our customers’ biggest pain points.”

Image courtesy of Mike Mozart under CC