Question

What's the biggest barrier for SMEs to grow online?

Answer 1

Growing online as an SME often feels like trying to make a viral TikTok-you put in the effort, hope for the best, and wonder why only your mom liked the post.

Here's why it's tough:

1. Marketing struggles: Imagine opening a fantastic shop in the middle of the desert-great products, but no customers because nobody knows you exist. That's what it feels like without the right digital strategy.

2. Budget blues: Big brands have budgets that could fund a space mission, while SMEs often work with pocket change and a dream. The pressure to compete without draining every rupee is very real.

3. Skill gaps: You finally invest in fancy marketing tools... only to realize no one knows how to use them. It's like buying a state-of-the-art espresso machine and ending up with instant coffee.

Enter Pepagora, the digital wingman for SMEs. It connects businesses globally, simplifies marketing, and helps SMEs show up where it matters -so they don't feel like they're screaming into the void.

With the right tools, support, and a healthy dose of persistence, SMEs can go from internet invisibility to global credibility-and maybe even get that viral moment.

Answer 2

Let’s keep it real — the biggest roadblock for most small and medium enterprises (SMEs) trying to grow online in 2025 isn't just one thing, it's a combo: digital skill gaps + visibility issues in a saturated market.

1. Digital Skill Gap

Most SMEs are still figuring out how the digital world works. Sure, they might have a website or an Instagram page, but scaling beyond that? Tough. Things like:

• SEO (Search Engine Optimization)

• Performance marketing (Google Ads, Meta Ads, etc.)

• Marketing automation tools

• Data analytics and customer journey mapping

These are not one-time setups — they need constant learning and updates. But many SMEs don’t have in-house teams or the budget to hire full-stack digital marketers.

Reality check: 75% of SMEs still rely on outdated marketing strategies or freelance patchwork that doesn't scale.

2. Lack of Visibility in a Crowded Digital Space

Even if an SME gets online, the competition is fierce. Everyone’s shouting into the void — but only the ones with:

• Smart SEO strategies

• Targeted content

• Social proof (reviews, ratings, testimonials)

• Omni-channel presence
  …are getting heard.

Platforms like Amazon, Flipkart, and big brands dominate search results and ad spaces. For a small business with limited ad budgets, it’s hard to break through.

3. Trust Deficit

Customers today Google everything. If your brand doesn’t pop up with legit reviews, active social handles, and secure payment methods, people bounce. And with increasing scams and fake products online, digital trust has become currency.

4. Tech Fatigue & Rapid Changes

AI, voice search, Web3, influencer marketing, new social platforms… things are evolving fast. SMEs often don’t have the time or resources to keep up. That causes fear of experimentation or, worse, stagnation.

✨ So, What’s the Fix?

• Upskilling: Government and private sector programs for digital training can help bridge the gap.

• Affordable platforms: Tools like Shopify, Zoho, and B2B platforms, Simplify Digital onboarding.

• Partnerships: Collaborating with digital agencies or freelancers that specialize in small business growth.

In 2025, going online is not enough — knowing how to grow online is the real game.
And the biggest barrier isn’t just tech — it’s knowing how to use that tech smartly.