Compass Intelligence Announces New Research on Best Practices for Reaching SMBs Online

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz., Oct. 2 -- According to Compass Intelligence, new "best practices" have emerged when it comes to reaching Small and Mid-sized Businesses (SMBs) online. With more than 11 million SMBs in the US and roughly 100 million such businesses worldwide, leveraging the Web to reach out to, cultivate relationships with, and empower these SMBs is not only effective, it is essential.

"Of the 10 years that I've watched vendors address this market's needs online, the last two have been the most exciting. The power and pervasiveness of today's Internet creates a number of opportunities for SMB vendors online. And, the pace of change is accelerating," says Kneko Burney, President & Chief Strategist of Compass Intelligence. Mrs. Burney adds, "The truth is, as vendors like IBM, Microsoft, AT&T and Dell invest more heavily in the features, services and resources they provide to SMB customers online, the expectations of customers rise. This means that any vendors hoping to engage SMB customers online will also need to leverage a bare minimum of the 'best practices' emerging. Our research endeavors to identify and track these best practices."

Compass Intelligence's Online Experience research for Q3 2008, focuses primarily on what kinds of experiences vendors provide to Small and Mid-sized Customers online. Our Q1 2008 research included primary research with more than 20,000 business users. Key findings in this period of research include:

-- Top ranked vendors include: IBM, Microsoft, AT&T, Dell and Cisco (in order of rank).

-- Vendors that ranked lowest include: Centennial Wireless, DigitalWork.com, Country Financial Services and Alaska Communication System (in order from lowest to highest).

-- Best practice: Vendors should use interactive tabs on the homepage for your business' various customer segments. This adds depth, without adding clutter.

-- Worst Practice: Alienate business customers unintentionally by using loosely defined segments, such as "Small" vs. "Enterprise," without any other ways to engage them, such as by vertical industry or job function.

About Compass Intelligence

Compass Intelligence, a consulting and market research firm, specializes in segment and vertical market intelligence for the high-tech, IT and telecom industries. Compass Intelligence offers clients a completely new research experience with a unique and intuitive online intelligence tool, INSTANT Access. The company provides market intelligence subscriptions and market research reports, forecasts, competitive analysis, market data, insights, and announcement analysis for multiple markets. Find us on http://www.compassintelligence.com/ or http://blog.compassintelligence.com/ or follow us on Twitter (CompassIntel).

   Company Contacts
   Kneko Burney
   President & Chief Strategist
   kneko at compassintelligence.com

   Holley Booze
   Press Manager
   +1 469.693.5110
   hbooze at compassintelligence.com