smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

Small companies see the internet as central to their recession survival plans, a poll claims.

Research carried out by Easynet Connect suggests the presence of the worldwide web is the key difference between the current downturn and that of the early 90s.

Chris Stening, managing director of the organisation, comments: 'In the early 90s we were a world away from e-commerce, online marketing or having a mobile workforce, let alone using cloud computing or holding video conferences with customers on the other side of the world.'

The survey reveals that 45 per cent of small businesses say the internet is an important tool to help them survive the economic downturn, while one-fifth claim it is the most important instrument they have.

In addition, 74 per cent believe an online presence can boost their profile and create new revenue streams, 58 per cent hope to expand into new markets and just over half think it will allow them to compete with larger enterprises.

Small firms also see the internet as a way to adopt modern working practices, with 75 per cent considering remote working, 52 per cent weighing up video conferencing and 35 per cent looking at voice over internet protocol.

A recent survey by O2 found 6,000 small businesses are joining social networking site Twitter each day, in an attempt to reduce marketing costs and increase communication with their customers.

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