UK business leaders are reportedly losing an average of £3,462 in revenue annually due to running out of mobile data. A survey of 1,000 decision-makers and business leaders who depend on mobile data revealed that 56% of those who had exhausted their data in the past two years suffered financial losses as a result. The most significant disruptions caused by a lack of data included an inability to process payments (35%), customers being unable to make contact (34%) and loss of access to essential business apps (33%).
Interestingly, nearly half (45%) claimed that running out of mobile data would be more detrimental to their business than running out of stock. Furthermore, 54% stated it would cause them more problems than having no power at all, with a whopping 90% asserting that connectivity is the ‘lifeblood’ of their business.
Mayuresh Thavapalan, commercial and marketing director for Sky Business, which commissioned the OnePoll research, said: « Fear of running out [of data] can be a real problem for small and medium (SME) business owners. While once upon a time, you only needed a physical space and stock to sell your wares, now there’s another vital resource businesses depend on every day.
« When mobile data dries up, so can the payments, purchases, deliveries, and all-important customer service. »
The study also discovered that a third of those surveyed said their staff lose access to data at least once a month, due to caps being reached earlier than expected (37%), and unexpected surges (30%).
To try and prevent this from occurring, 94% implement safeguards including setting data alerts, purchasing unlimited contracts and utilising data-saving applications. A quarter even go so far as to check usage on a daily basis.
A third of respondents admitted they would judge another business if their customer experience was interrupted due to data-related problems. With 33% saying they would reconsider using the same services again.
Mayuresh Thavapalan for Sky Business, which has recently launched Sky Business mobile, a business plan which automatically rolls over unused data and shares it with the team, added: « The research clearly shows that running out of data doesn’t just have a tangible impact on current opportunities but can have long-term impact on loyalty and reputation.
« Eliminating waste while ensuring connectivity is a sure-fire way to keep your SME running efficiently and, most importantly, ensuring happy customers that will keep coming back again and again. »
