By Lea Pachta

Leading online resource for business owners, directors and entrepreneurs www.freshbusinessthinking.com revealed in a recent survey that 45% of small to medium-sized enterprise (SME) owners who utilize Internet Marketing use social networking sites such as Twitter or Facebook to promote their company.

Theo Paphitis explained in his column for the Daily Mail that allowing your employees to access social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter is a waste of precious company resources.  Many people become highly addicted to the sites, needing to ‘check their facebook’ frequently throughout the day, often wasting hours of company-paid time. In addition, Paphitis claimed these sites foster self-indulgence, exhibitionism and de-value both the English language and ‘personal’ communication.

But social networking sites can be employed for other purposes, such as Internet Marketing for example. The likes of Facebook and Twitter can act as valuable, new marketing channels, generating new leads, sales and raising brand awareness.

www.freshbusinessthinking.com 's survey found that almost 70% of business owners currently market their products or services over the Internet. From these firms, 45% use social networking sites as part of their Internet Marketing strategy. Limiting access to these sites could hinder employees from utilizing this very potent internet marketing channel.

www.freshbusinessthinking.com also asked its readers how they would rate their understanding of Internet Marketing. Over 50% of readers said that they understand Internet Marketing but would like to learn more about it. Only 3% of all respondents believed to be experts in the Internet Marketing field.

Banning social networking sites such as Facebook and Twitter may not be the wisest for SMEs, as Internet Marketing can be an effective way how to promote one’s company. Especially during tough economic times, free online social networks can be a cost-saving option as opposed to expensive print marketing campaigns. The challenge probably lies in distinguishing what time your employees spend on these sites which is actually productive.

If you would like to learn more about Internet Marketing, www.Freshbusinessthinking organises an Internet Marketing exhibition and conference for small-to-medium sized businesses called Hit Me! Click here to find out more information!