MSME Digital Presence Remains Low Despite India’s Online Push

SERP Forge analyzed a dataset of 40,000 MSME-registered businesses across 7 states, covering IT, services, ecommerce, manufacturing and other major sectors. These businesses were randomly selected from the 3.6 million MSME units registered under UDYAM.

The results were far below what anyone would expect in 2025-26.

• Out of 40,000 MSMEs, only 1.6% (465) had listed a website.
• Only 1% (402) websites were actually working.
• Just 10% (43) of those working websites (402) scored 6/6 on basic digital hygiene and usability.

Among the 402 functioning websites:

• 5 were missing HTTPS
• 6 were marked “Not Secure”
• 38 were not mobile-friendly or responsive
• 177 had no SEO title
• 29 lacked any contact information
• 64 websites were completely inaccessible

Digital Quality Score (0-6)

• 0/6: 3 sites
• 1/6: 5 sites
• 2/6: 20 sites
• 3/6: 31 sites
• 4/6: 126 sites
• 5/6: 176 sites
• 6/6: 43 sites only

Even among businesses that already have a website, digital quality is extremely low.

Why this matters

India has made incredible progress through initiatives like UPI, ONDC and public digital infrastructure. But the backbone of India’s economy - the MSME sector is still largely offline or digitally underprepared.

This digital gap impacts:

• Revenue (poor discoverability means fewer customers)
• Trust (non-secure or incomplete sites reduce buyer confidence)
• Exports (global buyers rely on basic online credibility checks)
• Growth financing (investors and lenders validate businesses online)

In short, India cannot build a high-trust digital economy if MSMEs don’t have a basic, functional online presence.

Why it’s urgent now

• Customers today begin every interaction with a search.
• Smartphone-first consumers expect mobile-friendly sites.
• Government initiatives like ONDC, Open Credit Enablement, and Digital India require businesses to adopt minimum digital hygiene.
• Even a simple HTTPS error or missing contact detail can collapse trust instantly.

This isn’t just a tech issue. It’s an economic one.

The opportunity

This gap also means MSMEs have a huge, untapped opportunity.

If India’s MSMEs adopt even the minimum digital baseline:

• Secure website
• Mobile readiness
• Clear contact and address details
• Basic SEO structure
• Accurate product/service information

…it could meaningfully improve:

• visibility
• leads
• credibility
• export potential
• access to digital platforms
• overall contribution to the GDP

India has the talent. The tools are cheap. The need is clear. What’s missing is awareness, and that’s where data like this can help.

Suraj Shrivastava, SERP Forge CEO, comments: The data shows a serious gap between India’s digital ambitions and the digital readiness of the businesses that power its economy. MSMEs don’t need advanced technology to compete, they just need the basics done right. A secure, functional, mobile-friendly website is now as essential as having a phone number.