Online trading offers new small business opportunities

Research has suggested that there could be a raft of new opportunities for small business buyers who are interested in online companies.

According to the latest annual survey from Freelancer.co.uk, the past year has seen a 36 per cent rise in the number of small businesses that are selling their products overseas via e-commerce websites.

Furthermore, there has been a 32 per cent rise in the number of start ups established in the last year that began trading exclusively online.

The trend suggests that entrepreneurs are making full use of the lower costs and convenience offered by trading online.

Matt Barrie, from Freelancer.co.uk, commented: "Small businesses have been encouraged to start exporting and their investment and efforts are paying off.

"Small businesses are investing heavily in e-commerce as they know that is the future. Watching previously untouchable high street giants HMV and Comet go into administration is also acting as a spur to small businesses to trade online, which will help them to cut overheads and open up their products to new markets around the world."

Of course, with any new market it is inevitable that there will be some casualties and not all of these new businesses will find the right plan to make it in such a competitive environment. This could result in acquisition prospects emerging for buyers who have the know-how to make the most of online trading.