Online businesses positive about 2016

British online small businesses are optimistic about their prospects in 2016, with many hoping to expand and employ in the coming year, a new study has found.

The eBay Small Business Optimism Index asked 409 online business owners about their outlook for 2016, and found that almost half (49 per cent) were positive about their future, with only 22 per cent feeling pessimistic about the UK economy and their own trading outlook.

The study also revealed that 13 per cent of online businesses plan to employ more staff over the next year, potentially creating thousands more jobs. Meanwhile, 13 per cent had aspirations of expanding into global markets in 2016 and 40 per cent hoped to broaden the range of products they sold.

Kit Glover, director of professional selling at eBay UK, said: “The business community should be very encouraged by the findings of our Small Business Optimism Index.

"Despite a tough retail environment, the fact that digital small businesses are looking to expand their product offerings, export to more foreign markets and thus employ more people here in the UK can only be a good thing.”

The news will come as good news to the UK government, who are working to improve the country's digital infrastructure to ensure that small businesses flourish.

For online businesses to continue to grow, it is essential that they have access to reliable and fast internet. Thanks to the government's broadband rollout, 90 per cent of UK homes and businesses currently have access to superfast broadband, but for some areas where broadband is not available, a dedicated leased line for the premises can be the best solution.

hSo provides managed networks designed for business - to get an instant cost for a leased line at your location, visit our online leased line price checker.