SME websites : still one third of French companies absent from the web

Having a website has become the norm for a company, but far from an absolute rule for everyone. According to the latest official figures, a significant share of the French SMEs still remains off the web, even as public authorities multiply support measures.

The Baromètre France Num, a study commissioned each year by the Direction générale des Entreprises (DGE) to research institutes, measures the evolution of digital practices among French TPEs and SMEs. Its latest edition is based on a survey conducted with 11 021 companies, including 7 978 SMEs, a large sample that makes it one of the sector's reference studies.

One third of SMEs still without a website

According to this Barometer, 64.6% of French SMEs now have a website. Another study, conducted by Afnic, the organization that manages .fr domain names, reports a similar but slightly lower figure, around 61%. In both cases, the finding is the same: more than one third of small and medium-sized French businesses still do not have their own digital storefront, while their customers and prospects conduct the bulk of their searches online.

This gap primarily affects the smallest businesses. Artisans, local shops and independent professionals remain statistically the least equipped, often for lack of time, internal skills or a budget dedicated to developing digital tools.

A public mobilization to accelerate the transition

To make up for this lag, the State launched a national communications campaign in March led by the France Num network, mobilizing nearly 5 000 France Num “activators” across the territory. Their role: to raise awareness among TPE and SME leaders about the concrete benefits of digital technology and to publicize existing support schemes, whether in the form of advice, training or financial aid for digitization.

An observatory dedicated to the online presence of French TPEs and SMEs has also been published on the data.gouv.fr platform, allowing these indicators to be tracked over time, department by department.

What this concretely changes for businesses

• A website remains the main entry point to be found on search engines and to lend credibility to a business
• Low-code and no-code solutions now allow the launch of a functional site without advanced technical skills, lowering the barrier to entry
• The France Num schemes provide access to a free digital diagnosis and to grants to finance a first website or its redesign
• Businesses already present online can rely on these same networks to professionalize their development strategy and their search engine optimization

For leaders who are still hesitating to take the step, the message from public authorities is clear: an online presence is no longer just a competitive plus, but a basic condition of visibility, including for businesses that rely primarily on their local or professional clientele.

Frequently asked questions

What percentage of French SMEs have a website?

According to the Baromètre France Num, 64.6% of French SMEs have a website; a study by Afnic gives a similar figure, around 61%.

Who conducts the Baromètre France Num?

The study is commissioned each year by the Direction générale des Entreprises to research institutes, based on a survey carried out with more than 11 000 companies, including nearly 8 000 SMEs.

What assistance is available for businesses without a website?

The France Num network, with nearly 5 000 “activators” across the country, offers diagnosis, advice and support to help TPEs and SMEs develop their digital presence, including through low-code and no-code solutions.

Sources

• France Num – Baromètre France Num
• data.gouv.fr – Observatory of the online presence of TPEs and SMEs
• Bpifrance – Digital maturity of French TPEs and SMEs

This article was written with the help of artificial intelligence. Editorial policy