Business Internet usage in Manchester and the North West is growing faster than any other region in the UK, according to new research from Business ISP, Star, making it the new dotcom centre of the UK.
Figures released by Star reveal a significant increase in the number of business Internet connections in the North West as more and more small and medium –sized businesses harness the power of the World Wide Web. And, while the number of connections has increased by about 12% in the last six months, so have attitudes towards security, business continuity and using the Internet to enable remote working.
In the past, true Internet businesses were the preserve of large corporates with small to medium businesses owners relying on consumer Internet packages and limited knowledge to get their business online. The Star research suggests this is changing, and quickly.
An increasing number of ISPs are offering solutions specifically targeting small and medium-sized businesses and business owners are becoming more aware of the benefits that the Internet can offer.
Star’s North West Regional Director Justin Walton explains, “Our figures show that small and medium-sized businesses in Manchester and the North West region are the new Internet entrepreneurs. In fact, almost half of Star’s new business is currently coming from the North West, which is testimony to the talent and focus of the businesses here.
“While many ISPs have announced an increased focus on the SMB community, owner-mangers want packaged solutions enabling them to benefit from some of the technologies previously only used by so-called ‘big business’. As advanced Internet technologies have become more accessible for SMBs, our figures show that owner-managers in the Northwest have been quick to adopt them.