Small and medium-sized businesses in the UK have slashed their web design budgets, according to a new survey by the web hosting provider Fasthosts.

SME clients of web design firms have had to reduce investment in their online presences, but have been met by web designers reducing their rates. Web clients are also increasing what they expect from their design providers.

The Fasthosts Web Design Industry Audit surveyed 300 web design firms on their relationships with SME clients. Businesses expect web firms to work outside normal parameters, by providing day-to-day and out-of-hours support, and by working for free to demonstrate the benefits of their work.

Moreover, small and medium-sized businesses may be underestimating the amount of investment and maintenance needed to sustain successful online projects, and the need to provide complete briefs at the start of a project.

Steve Holford of Fasthosts remarks, on the wider potential of online development, that “with the right approach from small businesses and the web design community, online revenues can be successfully built and so help the UK economy in its return to growth.”