Businesses need to think more about their online presence

Managing your company's IT department effectively is an imperative function but that should not be the end of your technological thinking.

Phillip Hesketh, a professional speaker on psychology and persuasion at Heskethtalking.com, feels that firms need to not only invest in their computer systems but also how their business is seen on them by other companies and customers.

He said that building your online profile is a must for all small to medium-sized enterprises. This includes having a website which is sharp and easy to use as well as a well defined strategy for social media sites such as Facebook, Twitter, Google+.

He also believes that offering services online levels the playing field between large corporations and smaller firms which compete in the same business area.

"When you're online you can make yourself look truly international," Mr Hesketh said. "You can be a retailer and have a site that looks just as clean and professional as John Lewis or Marks and Spencer, whereas in the old days of shops you couldn't really do that.

"Sometimes I think SMEs forget that and think 'well I can't compete with them'. Actually, they can - online. If you do the thing properly and professionally, you can compete."

However, he was keen to stress that a move into the world of online business should not be leaped straight into. Careful planning must be undertaken for the project to work to its full potential.

A recent survey conducted by technology firm MYOB found that out of 1,043 SMEs questioned, 27 per cent of those with an effective website has seen a significant increase in their turnover in the past 12 months.

For those without a website, only 17 per cent said that their sales had gone up.

Breaking news from ihotdesk, IT projects in London.