S/B/142. Internationalisation of UK SMEs: How can internet marketing help?

The Internet has affected UK businesses in many different ways however it has increased the amount of UK SMEs operating internationally. The report looks at the increase in personal and commercial use of the internet which shows that consumers have different reasons for shopping online and how the internet only reaches certain groups. There has been a large increase in the commercial use of the internet and its applications including email and websites. SMEs use the internet for 5 core tasks: communications (email); competitive advantage (erecting barriers to entry); cost savings (from use of on-line communications); information search and retrieval; and marketing and sales promotion (through website). The report looks at two SMEs that operate internationally these are Bibendum wine and Katie Ellen jeweler and the practical uses of the internet for international activities.