With website sales approaching £200 billion in 2013, it’s certainly the right time for small businesses and sole traders to get online, trade online and grow online.

The Do More Online campaign was set up by the government to ensure that business owners had the skills and confidence needed to get their business online and not only reap the benefits, but also avoid the pitfalls of not being online.

Research shows that businesses actively using the internet to promote or trade online are almost twice as likely to grow; 57% of people are uncomfortable using a business if they can’t find it online; and 52% of consumers consult a search engine before buying from a local business.

Meanwhile, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills (BIS) has joined forces with Hewlett Packard and Talent Cupboard to launch a prototype App designed to help small businesses easily find ways to grow their business.

The Business is Great App was launched on Monday 23 March and is now live on the Business is Great website. The team behind it are after feedback and ideas for the App from small businesses, in order to make it a really valuable source of information and support. Find out more about the App here, and give your feedback to Caron.Zanjani@bis.gsi.gov.uk.

Lastly, the team behind the Do More Online campaign have developed a series of “How To” videos which are live on YouTube here.

From the Do More Online campaign to BBF’s digital events, there’s lots of help for every business to make the most of being online. If you are keen to improve your online content, then why not join our next digital workshop:

Focus on your Website: Content is Key! - Tuesday 21 April

Content is why people visit your website. So why do we neglect this critical website element that we rely on to attract, inform, engage, and retain site visitors?

At this workshop you will find out how to implement and maintain effective content that drives marketing, engages users and increases website conversations.