Wales eBusiness Compliance Audit 2008
Welsh business Websites are not hitting the mark
To gain a better understanding of the position of Welsh businesses in the global eMarketplace, The ITC undertook a survey of 100 Welsh on-line traders and assessed them for compliance with various regulations and legislation that apply to all UK based businesses with a Website.
It is important that a Website complies with these requirements, not just to avoid problems with the authorities, but, even more importantly, because compliance can encourage customers to buy, through showing that it’s safe to do business through the site. A Website that offers proper protection to the customer is much more likely to be used for transactions.
The results were staggering, and not in a good way.
Of the 100 businesses surveyed, only one complied with all of its obligations to the minimum standard required by law. Of the random cross-section of businesses we analysed, a massive 99% failed to comply with all of the requirements they should meet.
How the businesses were selected
Subjects for the study were found using the popular Internet search engine Google, thus providing an impartial cross-section of Welsh business Websites. We needed sites that allowed customers to purchase a product or service. The first 100 businesses we found that did this were included in the survey: this resulted in a relatively equal split between businesses in the tourism, retail, arts & crafts and culture industries.
What we tested for
We analysed each business’ Website for compliance with the following legal requirements:
- The Distance Selling Regulations
- The eCommerce Regulations
- The Companies Act
- Accessibility (the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines / the Disability Discrimination Act)
And although it is not a legal issue, we also looked at Website Coding, because any errors here can cause problems with accessibility and usability.
Results
- 15% of business Websites complied with the Distance Selling Regulations
- 12% of business Websites complied with the eCommerce Regulations
- 13% of business Websites complied with the Companies Act
- 32% of business Websites complied with Accessibility requirements
- 4% of business Websites had valid coding
Only 1 business Website out of 100 complied with all of the above legal requirements, but even this one had invalid coding.
Summary
Our comprehensive survey of Welsh businesses that trade on the Internet has revealed that an alarming 99% of them fail to meet their minimum obligations with regard to sales process, providing information to the customer, and making their Websites accessible to all.
With the continuing growth of eBusiness and on-line selling throughout the world, it is imperative that Welsh businesses act now to ensure that their Websites and eBusiness practices are fully legally compliant. Without this, Welsh businesses' ability to compete on-line internationally will be dramatically reduced.
Read the full press release: 99% of Welsh businesses selling online do not comply with laws and regulations, for further details of the criteria used in the survey and the applicable legislation.
Further information and support
Any business should make sure its Website complies: we can help you to find out where yours may need attention. Contact us on 01745 828440 or at info@theitc.co.uk or just fill in the contact form below.
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