Top tech stats: The best e-commerce apps, diversity in tech & more

Welcome to your round up of some of the past week’s most interesting surveys, statistics and reports relevant to those involved in the UK tech industry.

This week, we have statistics relating to e-commerce apps, customer experience, diversity in the tech industry and the use of tech within business presentations.

E-commerce apps

According to research by the Application Resource Center (ARC) titled Internet Retailer 2016 Europe 500,  UK eTailers earned £29.53bn in web sales in 2015.

The research found that the most popular apps, based on user feedback, were: Asos, Polyvore, Stocard, Wanelo Shopping, Groupon, Wish, 5miles, Geek by Wish, Carousell, and Shpock by Finderly.

Based on the highest-rated apps, UK consumers value sales alerts, relevant in-app push notifications, simple transaction flows, elegantly-designed product discoverability, personalised experiences, social engagement, rewards programmes, location-based services and flash sales.

However, poorly rated apps seem to suffer from the same problems, such as slow performance, freezing, disruptive ads, limited payment support options and a lack of recent updates.

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Customer experience

EY-Seren research has revealed telecoms and energy as the only two UK sectors where consumers are more likely to discourage family and friends from using major providers than recommend them.

The poll of 2,000 adults found out of the eight telecoms and energy providers tested for customer experience, only one had more respondents saying they would recommend the brand, than actively discourage peers from using it.

Despite this lack of satisfaction, 47% of respondents claimed to have not switched their mobile phone provider in at least five years.

The survey found that issues relating to experience were more influential over the decision to recommend a brand than the product of service itself. When asked to rate factors on a scale of one to seven, reliability (83%), value for money (82%) and good, trustworthy customer service (79%) were the top three factors rated five or more.

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Ben Rubin, development director at EY–Seren, commented: “Providers can no longer rely on a lack of more attractive options on the market. They need to start offering experiences that make customers want to stay and recommend their providers to others.

“As competition increases, peer recommendations will become increasingly important and providers that don’t react quickly will find themselves on the back foot.”

Diversity

According to data released by Tech London Advocates in The Diversity in Tech Manifesto, 46% of London’s technology companies do not believe a diverse workforce improves a company’s growth.

Despite 60% of Advocates recognising that the tech sector fails to represent London’s wider diversity, out of the 40,000 tech companies based in London, nearly 1,000 have all male staff.

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The survey shows that despite the feared implications of Brexit, more than one in three London technology firms employ a majority of their staff from outside the capital.

Russ Shaw, founder of Tech London Advocates, commented: “A lack of diversity in tech is the unfortunate secret at the heart of London’s fastest growing industry. Entrepreneurs, founders and CEOs have a responsibility to unlock growth, creativity and innovation by encouraging diversity and letting employees feel comfortable in their place of work.

“There is an economic argument for diverse workforces and a moral obligation – we cannot be proud of an industry that excludes, rather than celebrates, difference,” Shaw concluded.

Female founders

To contrast the above, Masschallenge UK revealed 42 of its 100 startups were founded by women.

Of MassChallenge’s female founded early-stage startups, 45% have raised on average $760,000 (£500,500) and 38% have raised $1.95 million (£1.52 million) after 24 months.

Diane Perlman, CMO at MassChallenge, said: “We’re hoping attract even more talented women in the years to come, and to continue supporting them as they grow their businesses.”

Presentations

A study by global technology company Barco found 58% of respondents believed giving presentations had helped build their personal reputation.

Some 48% claim they were able to make new business following a presentation.

The study found that 86% of professionals use technology to delivery presentations, with 53% saying having the right technology is equally as important, if not more important, than the presenter. 86% also reported to have experienced technology issues when presenting.

Around 49% stated that not having a backup plan for something going wrong (such as a technology failure) is a key mistake to avoid when making a presentation. Among the most important presenting skills, subject matter expertise (61%), ability to explain complex topics in a simple way (65%) and successfully responding to audience feedback and questions (57%) ranked highly.

Also, 33% suggested the ability to use technology effectively is key to a successful presentation.

Lieven Bertier, head of product management ClickShare, commented: “Our research showed that for 58% of office workers, a presentation that is quick and easy to set up and is wireless (46%), with no technology issues is their idea of a successful presentation.

“Getting these elements right up front, increases your chances of success,” he concluded.