Small businesses in the UK are increasingly finding it easier to grow their businesses through the web, rather than the usual offline methods, according to a survey by Actinic. 

The e-commerce and EPOS software supplier surveyed 57 SME retailers last month. The companies reported an average 96 per cent year-on-year increase in online turnover in the holiday period.

Significantly, 75 per cent of Actinic's respondents expected online sales to grow significantly in 2007, compared with only 25 per cent which expected to see any offline growth.

"E-commerce is the only way to do business now," said Karen Smith, who runs an online beautician service called nailsplusbeauty.com. "It is quick and easy, and saves a lot of time, travel and parking expenses." 

"As a business, I can take more orders and deal with them faster as the client does not always need to speak with us before ordering, plus clients can order 24/7 at their convenience."