Small businesses need to get digitally savvy to survive, AMEX

It turns out that small businesses aren’t embracing the digital revolution quickly enough after new research from American Express revealed that just 52% have a website, despite it being a major convenience for customers.
The research comes as a part of American Express’ Shop Small initiative, encouraging Aussies to spend their hard earned cash at locally-owned businesses through a neat cashback offer.
While the initiative is all about getting customers through the doors of small businesses, Vice President of Small Merchant Services at American Express, Katrina Konstas said that the owners of these retailers and restaurants have to share some of the responsibility.
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“Small businesses need to focus on what’s important for their customers in this new digital age, and offer that unique, personalised customer service that the big end of town can’t. If they don’t act now, there is a real risk small businesses will be left behind,” she said.
A major digital banking innovation that is yet to take hold at many small businesses is contactless payments. According to Amex’s The Economy of Shopping Small Report just 27% of Aussie businesses currently process contactless payments despite their increasing popularity - with funding being the major obstacle.
CEO & Founder of Retail Doctor Group, Brian Walker said that by not taking up these technologies small businesses are passing up a great opportunity.
“The ability to be agile, customised and innovative is a luxury that many small businesses have over their larger counterparts, so it’s important to make the most of this advantage,” said Walker.
For retail and restaurant owners looking to get digitally equipped, Optus recently launched its Yes Business platform.
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According to Optus’ Head of Small Business, Matthew Ball, the online platform is designed to offer tips and advice as well as providing a place for small business owners to connect.
“So what we did was build an entire end-to-end community, a digital ecosystem where small businesses can come talk to each other, hear from professionals… they can crowd rate the article, share it, [and] use that information,” he said.
If you’re a small business owner after some finance to kickstart your company’s digital revolution, head to Mozo’s business credit card comparison tables to check out a host of options on the market or if you would prefer a business loan, check out a few popular non-bank offerings below.
Non-bank business loan lenders - rates updated daily
Line of Credit
Unsecured business funding up to $500K. Start the online application process in just 5 minutes, and get access to funds within 24 hours once approved. Great for ABN registered businesses with an annual turnover of $200K+.
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
On Application2% to 3%Instantly, once approvedLine of Credit
Unsecured business funding up to $500K. Start the online application process in just 5 minutes, and get access to funds within 24 hours once approved. Great for ABN registered businesses with an annual turnover of $200K+.
- Interest Rate
- On Application
- Upfront Fee
- 2% to 3%
- Ongoing Fees
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- -
- Transaction fee
- -
- Early repayment penalty
- 0
- Other fees
- Various late payment fees may apply.
- Loan type
- Line of Credit
- Security type
- Unsecured
- Minimum loan amount
- $10,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $500,000
- Minimum loan term
- 6 months
- Maximum loan term
- 5 years
- Repayment frequency
- Weekly, Fortnightly, Monthly
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Minimum trading period
- 18 months
- Minimum annual turnover
- $200,000
- Application speed
- 10 minutes
- Approval speed
- 24-48 hours
- Funding speed
- Instantly, once approved
- Extra repayments allowed
- Yes
- Redraw allowed
- Yes
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- -
Short Term Business Loan
Unsecured business loans from $10,000 - $250,000, over 6 to 24 months. Online application takes only 10 minutes and you'll know if you're approved within hours. Apply now.
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
On Application3.00%from 24 HoursShort Term Business Loan
Unsecured business loans from $10,000 - $250,000, over 6 to 24 months. Online application takes only 10 minutes and you'll know if you're approved within hours. Apply now.
- Interest Rate
- On Application
- Upfront Fee
- 3.00%
- Ongoing Fees
- $0.00
- Late payment fee
- $0.00
- Transaction fee
- $0.00
- Early repayment penalty
- $0.00
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Loan
- Security type
- Unsecured
- Minimum loan amount
- $10,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $250,000
- Minimum loan term
- 6 months
- Maximum loan term
- 2 years
- Repayment frequency
- Daily, Weekly
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Minimum trading period
- 1 year
- Minimum annual turnover
- $100,000
- Application speed
- 10 Minutes
- Approval speed
- from 24 Hours
- Funding speed
- from 24 Hours
- Extra repayments allowed
- No
- Redraw allowed
- Eligible to apply for renewal after 50% paid down
- Other benefits
- -
- Other restrictions
- Minimum $100k turnover and 1 Year in Business.
Lumi Lux
Lumi Lux™ is an innovative rate-reducing business loan that rewards customers for a good repayment history over the loan term by dropping interest rates by 25 basis points every six months (T&Cs apply). The loan is for more established businesses with minimum $2M revenue.
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
from 14% to 20%-VariesLumi Lux
Lumi Lux™ is an innovative rate-reducing business loan that rewards customers for a good repayment history over the loan term by dropping interest rates by 25 basis points every six months (T&Cs apply). The loan is for more established businesses with minimum $2M revenue.
- Interest Rate
- from 14% to 20%
- Upfront Fee
- -
- Ongoing Fees
- 3.5% establishment fee of the disbursed amount.
- Late payment fee
- -
- Transaction fee
- -
- Early repayment penalty
- -
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Loan
- Security type
- Property Secured
- Minimum loan amount
- $200,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $500,000
- Minimum loan term
- 1 year
- Maximum loan term
- 4 years
- Repayment frequency
- -
- Repayment types
- -
- Minimum trading period
- 3 years
- Minimum annual turnover
- $2,000,000
- Application speed
- Varies
- Approval speed
- Varies
- Funding speed
- Varies
- Extra repayments allowed
- -
- Redraw allowed
- -
- Other benefits
- Loan interest rate decreases by 0.25% every 6 months with good repayment history up to a maximum 2% drop.
- Other restrictions
- Must be secured against property.
Read our Mozo Review to learn more about the Lumi Lux
Invoice Finance
Set up a line of credit against your debtors ledger, which grows with your business. Access funds as soon as you invoice instead of waiting for your customers to pay. ScotPac is the largest non-bank lender in Australia with over 30 years' experience partnering with local businesses.
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
from 4.00% p.a.On ApplicationFrom 24 hoursInvoice Finance
Set up a line of credit against your debtors ledger, which grows with your business. Access funds as soon as you invoice instead of waiting for your customers to pay. ScotPac is the largest non-bank lender in Australia with over 30 years' experience partnering with local businesses.
- Interest Rate
- from 4.00% p.a.
- Upfront Fee
- On Application
- Ongoing Fees
- -
- Late payment fee
- -
- Transaction fee
- $0.00
- Early repayment penalty
- -
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Line of Credit
- Security type
- Secured
- Minimum loan amount
- $10,000
- Maximum loan amount
- -
- Minimum loan term
- -
- Maximum loan term
- -
- Repayment frequency
- -
- Repayment types
- -
- Minimum trading period
- 0 years
- Minimum annual turnover
- $0
- Application speed
- From 24 hours
- Approval speed
- From 24 hours
- Funding speed
- From 24 hours
- Extra repayments allowed
- -
- Redraw allowed
- -
- Other benefits
- Line of Credit against debtor ledger
- Other restrictions
- -
Unsecured Business Loan
Business Loans from $5,000 to $600,000 with high approval rates. Access to funds in as little as 3 hours. Cash flow friendly repayments and open minded offers.
Interest Rate
Upfront Fee
Funding speed
On Application3%, starting at $399from 3 hoursUnsecured Business Loan
Business Loans from $5,000 to $600,000 with high approval rates. Access to funds in as little as 3 hours. Cash flow friendly repayments and open minded offers.
- Interest Rate
- On Application
- Upfront Fee
- 3%, starting at $399
- Ongoing Fees
- no
- Late payment fee
- $50.00
- Transaction fee
- -
- Early repayment penalty
- no
- Other fees
- -
- Loan type
- Loan
- Security type
- Unsecured
- Minimum loan amount
- $5,000
- Maximum loan amount
- $600,000
- Minimum loan term
- 3 months
- Maximum loan term
- 1 year
- Repayment frequency
- Weekly, flexible
- Repayment types
- Principal & Interest
- Minimum trading period
- 6 months
- Minimum annual turnover
- $120,000
- Application speed
- 10 Minutes
- Approval speed
- within 1 hour
- Funding speed
- from 3 hours
- Extra repayments allowed
- yes
- Redraw allowed
- no
- Other benefits
- Daily repayments available.
- Other restrictions
- -
Mozo provides general product information. We don't consider your personal objectives, financial situation or needs and we aren't recommending any specific product to you. You should make your own decision after reading the PDS or offer documentation, or seeking independent advice.
While we pride ourselves on covering a wide range of products, we don't cover every product in the market. If you decide to apply for a product through our website, you will be dealing directly with the provider of that product and not with Mozo.