The latest Mori survey shows that 75% of UK-based SMEs (small and medium sized enterprises) now have an online presence. This shows a dramatic shift towards the net economy in the last six months. Less than one year ago, the Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) showed SMEs lagging behind in the e-commerce uptake with only 15% of businesses employing under 10 staff getting online.

However, three quarters of the surveyed companies now say that they have an online presence while over 50% say they are already selling online and embracing e-commerce. But doubts have been cast on the validity of the data.

"We welcome the survey but we question how much it can be considered representative," said Marcus Russell, general manager for the internet division of e-commerce financials software house Access Accounting.

He continued: "If the figures are to be believed it seems there has been a leap in the number of businesses embracing e-commerce. It seems the message is starting to get through but we have a lot more to do to truly compete with the States in the internet economy."

"The most encouraging part of the survey is that it revealed that a majority of SME businesses realise they must adapt or die, said Russell. "They see the internet as a real opportunity to win and retain customers, with factors such as cost and time savings driving online trading forward."
Anna Lagerkvist