For many years now, industry pundits (including myself) have been discussing the value of Web-to-Print. Firms that have developed easy-to-use Web-based services are experiencing double-digit growth. For example, VistaPrint posted year-over-year growth of 16% and gross margins exceeding 67% in its most recent quarter. Revenues are expected to be well above $1 billion for 2013, and the company’s business revenues are expected to top $2 billion by 2016. Meanwhile, Innerworkings increased its revenues by 27% in the third quarter. While its full-year earnings have not yet been released, revenues are projected to be between $780 and $810 million for 2012.

These firms are successful because customers of all sizes are seeking one thing—convenience. Regardless of whether you are a large enterprise or an individual consumer, good Web storefronts ensure that orders can be created anytime and anyplace. As long as you have access to an Internet-connected computer, your order will be processed regardless of what day of the week it is, if it’s a holiday, what time it is, or even where you are.

In a recent InfoTrends study entitled Understanding Vertical Markets: Enterprise Communications Requirements, InfoTrends surveyed more than 1,000 enterprises with 500+ employees. The results confirmed that if you are planning on serving the enterprise market, Web-to-print will not be an optional service—it is an essential ingredient for participation. Of the enterprises surveyed, more than 57% reported that their print vendors provided Web-based purchasing platforms or portals.