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.

"All small firms should look to the internet to maximise their sales and increase efficiency."

John Walker,
FSB National Policy Chairman

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."

Click to read the full report on the FSB web site