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A large majority of small businesses in the UK are still operating without websites, email addresses or internet connections, a new study has revealed.
The survey, carried out on behalf of broadband provider UK Online, investigated the working methods of over 580 businesses with between one and ten staff.
Of these, just 200 were found to have internet access.
Shane Redding, chair of the B2B council for the Institute of Direct Marketing, said: "Small businesses have been relatively slow to reap the rewards that an effective online presence can bring.
"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."
It was also revealed that many small firms with internet access do not use business-specific software.
Some 37 per cent were using consumer, rather than business-grade internet packages - and 17 per cent still relied on dial-up connections.
Around 18 per cent of respondents also had no anti-virus software.
The study supports previous evidence which suggests that small businesses do not adequately utilise web services.
A survey carried out in May by management solution provider Mediasurface revealed that over 40 per cent of SMEs are unaware of Web 2.0 - and around ten per cent still do not have websites at all.
A huge 61 per cent of those with websites felt that their web design did not accurately reflect their brand or communications message.
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