Use the internet to increase sales during the downturn, says the Federation of Small Businesses

Nearly half of small businesses that use the internet to advertise their firm increase turnover by one fifth, according to new figures released by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The FSB’s biennial survey of 8,700 members found that 43 per cent of respondents improved their sales after linking to suppliers and using their website to advertise their firm, showing the ever-increasing value of the internet to business transactions, particularly during an economic downturn.

The survey also revealed that the number of small businesses who have their own website has leapt by a quarter to around 70 per cent since the last survey.

Dr Gary Packham, Head of Enterprise at the University of Glamorgan, where the report was compiled, said:

“These figures 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.”

John Walker, FSB National Policy Chairman, said:

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

Ends

Notes to Editors

The FSB is Britain’s biggest business organisation with over 215,000 members. It exists to protect and promote the interests of the self-employed, and all those who run their own business. More information is available at www.fsb.org.uk.
The report, entitled Putting the economy back on track: Transport, Environment and ICT, is the second in a series of five looking at the barriers that small businesses face in growing their firms. The report was written by Professor Oswald Jones and compiled by the University of Glamorgan. To view the document email sophie.kummer@fsb.org.uk or visit www.fsb.org.uk

Contacts:

Stephen Alambritis: 020 7592 8112 / 07788 422155
Sophie Kummer: 020 7592 8128 / 07917628998
Prue Watson 020 7592 8121 / 07825 125695
Marc Shoffman 020 7592 8113 / 07595 067068

For regional FSB contacts please go to www.fsb.org.uk/regions.