UK small businesses are confident regarding the economy, are increasingly dependent on the internet and are being assisted by increased online consumer shopping.

Easynet Connect reports that 79% of small UK firms believe that the improvement in the economy will provide good opportunities for them. The internet is now a critical part of small companies operations with 81% of those surveyed saying they could not function for one day without online access. 

38% of small businesses currently intend to invest in IT, 30% will increase online staff training and 15% will increase staff numbers. 

Cloud computing is also becoming more popular with small firms. 24% of survey respondents said they were unhappy with their current broadband service, and 63% of them complained about the speed and reliability of their internet connection. 

IMRG reports that small UK companies are also benefiting from the increase in online commerce. 51% of UK adults purchased goods on the internet in the last three months. 

In the 10 years since consumer broadband connections became available, the value of online shopping in the UK has increased by 6,000%. 

Mobile shopping is also increasing quickly, from both laptops and hand held devices, with a growth in laptop ownership from 34% to 53% in the past year. 

V3.co.uk reports that 76% of the UK population now has internet access. 

So the economic climate for small UK firms has improved. We help small UK companies by sending them qualified prospects from our Local Search facility in our Business Directory at no cost to them. Most of the 1.6 million businesses listed are small businesses.

 

Monte Huebsch, CEO.