The fact that such a story even needs to be written says something about the speed (or lack thereof) with which roofing contractors have embraced change, but perhaps it is more a function of the industry than with roofers in particular. It makes sense that even the most backward contractor would learn to use business software, but the main business of selling roofs to consumers is still done face-to-face, while buying product is done, for the most part, through distributors. Yet the Internet isn't going away and change, however slow, is good.
Surprisingly, as compared to the country as a whole, roofers are actually more wired, in terms of Internet usage. The Pew Internet & American Life Project, which aims to be an authoritative source on the evolution of the Internet, reports that 67 percent of Americans use the Internet. Of those who are online, 91 percent use it to send e-mail, 78 percent use it to research a product before purchase, and 67 use it to actually purchase a product. (For more information, visit www.pewinternet.org)