IT contractors could see a rise in employment opportunities as many small businesses are looking to improve their websites in the face of tough trading conditions, a trade organisation claims.

Having cut costs as much as possible, smaller firms are looking to their websites, along with marketing strategies and extra sales staff, in an effort to compete and grow their businesses, according to the Forum of Private Business (FRB).

Research carried out by the FPB indicates that these firms are positive about the future, with 56 per cent expecting to increase their turnover in 2010, and 44 per cent expecting growth.

The FPB's Research Manager Thomas Parry claimed that these findings pointed towards a "healthy amount of fighting spirit" among small businesses.

"Political, economic and currency stability are all important too, with a proportion of businesses suffering from the weak pound," Mr Parry said.

Some firms are also struggling with planning Mr Parry added, with one-in-five unsure of what support they will need over the next few months.

Job-seeking IT contractors were urged to target smaller firms back in February, when the International Data Corporation revealed that they make up 99.8 per cent of all Europe's businesses.