Investing in visibility
The research shows that digital ambitions are high, but there is still room for growth. 71 percent of the total SME sector is findable online with their own website. Only 6 percent of all respondents are completely absent from the internet. However, there is also a need for growth: 40 percent of all respondents plan to invest in online visibility by 2026.
AI: curiosity goes hand in hand with caution
Artificial intelligence (AI) has now become an integral part of business operations: more than one in three Dutch SMEs already use AI applications (37 percent). Copywriting is the most popular application (36 percent). However, there are clear conditions attached to the implementation of AI: 53 percent of entrepreneurs cite reliable results as the most important requirement. Additionally, 38 percent value compliance with legislation and 36 percent seek a reliable European provider. Almost half (49 percent) are concerned about the loss of the human aspect due to the use of AI.
STRATO offers support on Self-Employed Day
The barriers to digitalization are clear: 41 percent of entrepreneurs cite lack of time as the biggest obstacle, followed by costs (38 percent) and a lack of technical knowledge (30 percent). To reduce these barriers, STRATO will launch a comprehensive free entrepreneur guide and a special landing page on April 11.
This guide provides a step-by-step plan for everything a starting entrepreneur needs and encounters: from business registration and legal requirements to building a professional website. With tools like the STRATO AI website builder, entrepreneurs can quickly make a professional start, without technical expertise and at a fair price.
More information is available here: www.strato.nl/sitebuilder/eigen-bedrijf-starten/
About the research:
The data used comes from an online survey conducted by YouGov Deutschland GmbH on behalf of IONOS, the parent company of STRATO. A total of 219 decision-makers from Dutch companies with up to 250 employees participated in this survey in February 2026.
