KUALA LUMPUR: Google Malaysia has called on businesses to venture into web-based or mobile-optimised sites or applications as consumers’ purchasing behaviours have shifted to multi-screen trends.
Google Malaysia managing director Sajith Sivanandan said about 100,000 businesses in the country are web-based or mobile-compliant, a small number compared with the 700,000 small and medium companies operating here.
“In Malaysia, 35 per cent of consumers use smartphones exclusively to access the Internet,” he said at a media briefing on The Consumer Barometer 2014 survey.
The survey is a joint initiative between Google and TNS, providing insights into digital consumer trends and attitudes.
The survey showed that Malaysia is one of four countries in the world where smartphone usage is higher than computers, at 51 per cent versus 39 per cent. The other countries are China (including Hong Kong), South Korea and Singapore.
Sajith said consumers mostly depend on Internet research before making purchases. A total of 81 per cent of respondents used online sources before buying, 20 per cent became aware of products and offers via online and 32 per cent purchased goods online.
“This is a major wake-up call to any business in Malaysia. Without a mobile-optimised site or application, their business is no longer a viable approach,” Sajith added.