Nearly half of small businesses that use the internet to advertise saw their turnover increase by 20%, according to figures released by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

The FSB surveyed over 8,000 small business owners and discovered that 43% saw their sales figures improve after using their website to advertise their firm and link to suppliers.

The survey also revealed that since last year the number of small businesses that have their own website has increased by a quarter to around 70%.

"Despite the onset of an economic downturn, all small firms should look to the internet to maximise their sales and increase efficiency," said John Walker, FSB national policy chairman.