smallbusiness.co.uk: Helping your business think big

UK consumers are spending a whopping £7.3 billion online every year, but the majority of small businesses are missing out on a share of this cash by being unable to make sales directly through their websites, according to research from BT in association with the Institute of Directors.

Having a web presence is a definite advantage as the survey shows four out of five small businesses increasing customer base through the internet, and more than half reaching international markets.

However, less than a quarter of those polled have a transactional website enabling customers to buy products, and as a result do not have the ability to make online sales.

‘Many businesses, particularly smaller ones, do have an online presence, but believe that developing a transactional web site is both costly and time consuming,’ says Mick Hegarty of BT Business. ’That’s just not the case anymore. There is a wide range of cost effective options available that fit every budget. Small businesses can now move on from just having an online brochure to selling direct over the internet.’

‘People often see the internet as a means of communication first, and a channel to market second,’ believes Professor Jim Norton, senior policy director at the IOD. ‘Times have changed, though, and a huge amount of money is now spent online by consumers. Small businesses need to harness the internet to take advantage of this rapidly developing market.’