MORE than a third of Kent businesses are missing out on the massive commercial potential of the internet by failing to have a website, new research has shown.

The latest Kent Business Barometer carried out for Business Link Kent reveals that 35 per cent of the county’s employers have no website, while a further six per cent say they have one in development.

Eric Friend, ICT and e-Business adviser at Business Link Kent, said: "Companies of any size are missing out on business opportunities if they do not have a website.

“According to the annual e-commerce survey published by the Office for National Statistics last November, online sales in the UK were estimated to be worth some £39.5billion in 2003, more than double the previous year’s £19.5billion.

"Government figures also show that more than half of all households in the UK have internet access."

Mr Friend continued: "Although the most common reasons for internet purchases by private individuals last year were travel, accommodation or holidays (55 per cent), videos or DVDs (43 per cent), music or CDs (37 per cent) and tickets for events (36 per cent), almost every type of business can benefit from having a presence on the web."

"Businesses rely increasingly on websites to provide information 24 hours a day to current and potential customers. The absence of a website may affect your customers’ perception of your business.

"Although customers may request goods or services by telephone or fax, many will expect to be able to find out about your business and order goods or services online."

To help Kent companies make the most of the opportunities offered by the internet, Business Link Kent is hosting a series of workshops across the county from late July to October on Improving Efficiency, Profitability and Customer Satisfaction Through Internet Technology, and Running a Successful Integrated Marketing Campaign.

For more information or to book a place at one of these workshops, visit: www.eventskent.co.uk, tel: 01732 878555 or email: events @businesslinkkent. co.uk.