Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) considering making a move into accepting online payments are being urged to make sure they seek the correct advice before they commit.

With spending over the internet increasing substantially over the last few years, companies in the UK are increasingly concerned that they are being left behind if they do not offer the opportunity for customers to buy from them online.

However, Tony Neate, managing director of Get Safe Online, has warned business managers to make sure they have all the details necessary to make the most of online shopping.

Mr Neate said: "On the technology side they [SMEs] are becoming wiser, but my concern is related to other areas, things such as e-commerce; when businesses start trading online.

"It is not something they can do on their own; it's something they need to get advice on. People need to get third party advice."

He added that one important detail is that there are now regulations that have been brought in by the credit card companies.

"If you are not an expert in relation to computers and computer security and you have your own e-commerce site or server, then you need to get advice. If you are taking people's credit card details and transacting online, make sure you have listened to the correct advice," he said.