Companies are not developing their websites for mobile phone users because bosses are too busy, according to an organisation which supports young entrepreneurs.

Business owners being “strapped for time” is a prime reason why firms are not ‘optimising’ their websites for smartphone users, say staff at the Kent Foundation.

The comments come as research by PayPal shows only 14% of businesses in the South East have redesigned their website so it appears clearly on smartphones as well as desktop computers.

Meanwhile, only a quarter of small and medium-sized businesses in the region accept online payments.

This is despite 30% of online shoppers in the South East making payments with some form of digital wallet and one in eight making purchases on their smartphone daily.

Liam Behn, business development co-ordinator at Kent Foundation, which supports entrepreneurs aged 30 and under, said: “Small and medium-sized enterprises are strapped for time, especially if they’re a one-man band.

“If they’re already busy with work, does getting on mobile become a priority for them?

“It’s about businesses knowing where their customers are and how they can reach them and how they can make the experience for their customers easier.

“Are businesses aware they have a large potential customer base online that they could be tapping into?

“If so, how do they do that? Is it through a mobile-optimised website, through an app, social media or some sort of digital payment service?

“SMEs don’t rely solely on online. It’s not the be all and end all. People do business with people. It depends on the nature of the business.

“We often work with creatives who combine the two. They go out to arts and crafts markets but also have their online platform where people can pay easily and they deliver from.”