How Digitally Ready Are Europe’s Businesses? Inside team.blue’s New Digital Maturity Report

Across Europe, small and medium-sized businesses are trying to keep pace with a digital world that moves fast. New tools land every week, customer expectations shift quickly, and AI is becoming a part of daily work - whether we arel ready for it or not.

At team.blue, we support a wide range of customers across Europe, spanning almost every industry you can think of. Some are long-standing local businesses that have served their communities for decades, others are borderless digital-native start-ups, and many fall somewhere in between. What they share is a commitment to growth and a need for clarity in a world that changes quickly. This is why the new Digital Maturity Report matters. It reflects the perspective of the professionals who keep our economy moving and who sit at the heart of our communities.

Listening to the voices that matter: 8,200+ business owners and decision-makers

Our new Digital Maturity Report, created through the collaboration of 23 team.blue brands, brings together insights from more than 8,200 businesses across 32 European countries. These are founders, freelancers, managers and solopreneurs. Many wear multiple hats every day and push through a long list of challenges to succeed at what they love most.

We asked how they grow their business, which tools they rely on and where they feel blocked. They shared their views on AI, the frustrations they face with digital tools and the opportunities they want to unlock next.

This level of scale and diversity gives us something rare, a clear picture of how European businesses are adapting in real time to rapid change and uncertainty. It also shows us where team.blue can step in to support them with more intention and care.

Key insights from the report

1. Most businesses have the basics, but get stuck going further
Websites, social media and cloud tools have become standard. The next layer, from analytics to CRM or automation, is where many companies hesitate. The desire to grow is there, yet people are unsure where to start or how to choose the right tools.

2. Time and clarity are the biggest blockers
There is no resistance to digitalisation. If anything, business owners want more of it. The real challenge is time and the mental space to make good decisions. Many professionals are craving simple, clear guidance instead of more noise.

3. AI is expanding quickly, but trust varies
Nearly one in five businesses already use AI regularly and one third are experimenting. Others hold back because of concerns about data security or whether the tools are reliable enough for their day-to-day work. What stands out is that businesses rely on AI most when it saves them time, especially for content creation, admin tasks or fast learning.

4. Younger and smaller businesses lead the way
Newer companies and micro-businesses tend to adopt tools faster and test more freely. Larger and older companies move more cautiously, focusing on security, reliability and proven outcomes.

Why this matters for team.blue

Across our 60 brands, team.blue supports more than 3.5 million customers across Europe. This report gives us a shared, data-driven understanding of what those customers are experiencing. It sharpens how we show up in three important ways.

We stay grounded in real customer needs
This research is not built on assumptions. It reflects the lived experience of the people who rely on us, especially the small businesses and solopreneurs who make up the backbone of European commerce.

We strengthen our role as trusted partners
When customers see that we listen deeply and respond with intention, trust grows. That trust is one of the most important things that sets team.blue apart. We combine reliable digital infrastructure with human support that meets people where they are.

60 brands, one ecosystem
This report only exists because 23 of our brands came together to build it. It shows the power of collaboration inside team.blue and the value of sharing insights so we can create solutions that work across markets.

Where do you sit in the digital journey?

Whether you are a solopreneur launching your first idea or a founder scaling across borders, these insights offer a chance to reflect. They can help you:

• Start meaningful conversations with customers
• Share research-backed insights in your local markets
• Position your brand as a trusted guide in a shifting digital world
• Support lead generation and content initiatives
• Strengthen the team.blue story with real customer understanding

This research reflects the real experiences of the businesses we serve and helps us support them with greater intention. It shows what happens when we listen carefully and work together to support the businesses we serve.

Download the Digital Maturity Report
The full report is now available. Explore the insights, compare your market and see where European businesses are heading next.