Manchester has been crowned the UK's top small business online hotspot, leaving traditional start-up haven London trailing behind in 26th place.
A recent study of the Britain's most active web regions for small businesses, carried out by eBay, also placed Lancashire and West Yorkshire at the top of Britain's web start-up ladder.
eBay's business ‘Digital Density’ ranking is based on the volume of small online retail businesses operating in a region and their sales, as a proportion of the local population.
This means that although there is likely to be more small businesses operating solely via the internet overall in London, other areas of the country are showing signs of becoming more concentrated hotspots for these kinds of start-ups.
An eBay spokesperson said he expected northern cities to become future strongholds for online start-ups.
'Our research shows that technology is opening up tremendous opportunities for small businesses across the UK, with digital clusters spread across the country, particularly in the North West.
EBAY: TOP TIPS FOR SMALL FIRMS THAT WANT TO GET ONLINE
- Do Your Research – is what you’re selling easy to pack, wrap and ship?
- Choose your User ID carefully – it should reflect your product or service.
- Build up your feedback – buy items before you start selling, it helps you understand what a buyer needs and means you look like a real person with feedback.
- Develop a barand that stands out from the crowd – choose your image carefully, it’s what consumers will see first.
- Supplies, supplies, supplies – get to know your suppliers and their competitors. Consider carefully what packing supplies you need to sell and ship your product.
He said: 'The region has a proud history as an industrial powerhouse – but today it’s economic potential is intertwined with tech rather than textiles. Our technology is now breaking down barriers to global markets by allowing small businesses access to products and services that were once the preserve of large firms, such as smart shipping, international payments and translation.
'The North West, and Greater Manchester in particular, is well placed to capitalise on this with its successful universities, famous football teams and legendary culture, making an attractive proposition for budding entrepreneurs who might otherwise have been tempted by London.
'This, combined with improved infrastructure across the north, means that we may well be witnessing the birth of a new stronghold for start-ups.’
John Allan, national chairman for the Federation of Small Businesses, added: 'We welcome the emergence of digital hubs in the North West. Small business confidence is high across many areas of the UK and companies are in a robust mood.
He put northern growth down to improved access to finance, further investment in digital infrastructure and lower business running costs outside London.
SOURCE: This Is Money
