Six out of ten firms 'don't sell online'

Date: 17th February 2009

Smaller firms are potentially missing out on millions of pounds in revenues by not selling online, it has been reported.

According to BT Tradespace's the Voice of Small Business investigation, about 60 per cent do not utilise the internet to sell goods and services - despite four-fifths of small companies having a website.

The statistics - which were reported in the Daily Mail - revealed that over two-thirds of businesses - including limited companies - do not believe they can attract an online market.

Stephen Alambritis, chief spokesman for the Federation of Small Businesses, told the Daily Mail: "The number of firms using the internet to sell their goods is too low, especially in a recession.

"There is clearly an opportunity to create sales online, not least because people are increasingly preferring to stay at home and shop rather than go out."

A report published by the Finance and Leasing Association earlier this week revealed that more than 40 per cent of small firms in the north-east of England and Scotland reported sales growth at the end of last year.