An analysis of website figures by a top online business entrepreneur shows that a single spelling mistake can cut online sales in half.

Charles Duncombe says, ‘Poor spelling is costing the UK millions of pounds in lost revenue.’ He goes on to say: ‘I am shocked at the poor quality of written English.’

He says it is possible to identify the specific impact of a spelling mistake on sales. His company measured the revenue per visitor and found that revenue was twice as high after an error was corrected.

‘Spelling is important to the credibility of a website. When there are underlying concerns about fraud and safety, then getting the basics right is essential.

Even cutting-edge companies depend upon old-fashioned skills because when you sell or communicate on the internet, 99% of the time it is done by the written word. Spelling is important to the credibility of the website.’

I estimate that 70 per cent of websites lose credibility and business because of poorly written content. Depressingly few business owners do anything about it; many cannot see it.

Let me give you an example. An estate agent friend had done me a favour, and I was looking for some way I might repay him. Browsing through his company’s website, I cringed at the poor grammar, the lack of or incorrect use of punctuation, and the abysmal lack of marketing flair.

In a word, it was amateurish. This was my opportunity to repay his kindness: I offered to give the website’s content a free makeover. What was his reaction? ‘Thanks, but no thanks; Angela (his wife) did it. She thinks it is perfect and wouldn’t take kindly to being corrected.’

I despair. Would a reasonably educated person likely have confidence in a plumber or garage, let alone an estate agent, who cannot spell or string a sentence together?

LEFT: Michael Walsh, Writer and Journalist.

The latest findings are endorsed by business organisations. James Fothergill, the Confederation of British Industry’s head of education and skills, warned that too many employers had to invest in remedial literacy lessons for their staff.

The William Dutton Oxford Internet Institute agree: ‘When a consumer might be wary of spam or phishing efforts, a misspelt word could be a killer issue.’ You can share this story on social media:

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THE BUSINESS BOOSTER Michael Walsh, during 20 years Guild of Master Craftsmen, helped thousands of businesses to increase profits whilst reducing overheads. EURO WEEKLY NEWS business advice columnist. Perfect gift for the self-employed, wherever you are in the world. https://michaelwalshbooks.wordpress.com/