What Keeps Dissatisfied SMBs from Switching?
September 2, 2026
Even when SMBs are unhappy with a vendor, they may not be able to switch easily. From roughly a quarter to over two in five SMBs, depending on headcount, say the lack of a clearly better alternative keeps them from switching.
Other barriers to switching include the fear of disrupting operations, and a vendor’s integration into the SMB’s workflows.
What Keeps Unhappy SMB Customers From Switching
The barriers to switching by company size
- Deep integration into systems or workflows is the top barrier for small businesses, cited by 38%.
- Fear of disrupting operations holds back about a third of very small (35%) and small (34%) businesses.
- Midsize businesses are the least held back. Fewer than 30% cite any of the three barriers.
These findings are from Bredin’s SMB MarketPulse, our subscription research service.
For more, see how often SMBs consider switching vendors, what makes SMB customers consider leaving and why most SMBs are open to switching vendors.
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