Two-thirds of small business not online

Two-thirds of small businesses have no internet connection, email or website, according to research from UK Online.

Such firms, with fewer than ten employees, risk falling behind medium to large enterprises, which have more enthusiastically embraced online technologies to help their bottom line, the study said.

Small businesses which do have internet access are not using it to full commercial benefit, said the report. Over half do not have a company website, while 17 per cent are on slower dial-up connections.

"Small businesses have been relatively slow to reap the rewards that an effective online presence can bring," said Shane Redding, chairman of the Institute of Direct Marketing, in a statement in response to the survey. "There is a clear need for small business owners to better understand the opportunities available so that they can continue to thrive and compete against larger businesses."

A third of small business owners with internet access have found a way to save money on their bill by using a consumer package. Because of this, many have trouble getting technical support when something does go wrong, the study found.

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