Internet ‘instrumental’ in surviving the downturn

 

Small firms that regularly use the internet to promote their business stand a much better chance of beating the economic downturn – according to new research by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

 

In the organisation’s biennial survey of its 8,700 members, 43% of respondents saw turnover increase by one fifth after using their website to advertise their business.

 

While the FSB recorded a 70% annual increase in the number of enterprises that now have a website, policy chairman John Walker, urged more firms to recognise the benefits of going online.

 

‘The number of small businesses who have their own website has grown over the past two years, which indicates that small firms are becoming increasingly internet-savvy,’ he said.

 

‘Despite the onset of an economic downturn, all small firms should look to the internet to maximise their sales and increase efficiency.’

 

Meanwhile Dr Gary Packham, Head of Enterprise at the University of Glamorgan, where the report was compiled, claimed the results ‘show the very clear link between new technologies and business growth.’

 

‘If the country's 4.7million small businesses are to take advantage of the internet to grow their businesses and the economy, they will need good quality services to be in place, as well as good information and education about how to use them,’ he added.