Smaller firms can improve their search rankings by using high-quality content containing keywords.

Jack Wallington of the Internet Advertising Bureau pointed out that, although paid search optimisation is affordable, in competitive sectors it becomes less so.

A good alternative is including relevant search keywords in content, including headings and domain names, he said.

"The best advice is to follow 'best practice' at every step of the way," he said.

"Search engines are built to recognise quality… [so] ensure copy is written by an expert in the topic to make the content the best it can be.

"Keywording is essential and is based around 'descriptive words': the better you describe a page in as few words as possible, the better. Using the copy, decide what people would search for to find that web page then make sure it is highlighted in page headings, links and throughout copy."

He also said that it is "definitely advisable" to seek professional help with search engine optimisation.

According to a recent survey by Connect, the two biggest IT headaches for businesses were 'everyday hassles with IT' (37 per cent) and 'security concerns' (32 per cent).