Research has suggested that people working from home and other entrepreneurs are starting to take advantage of the financial benefits of basing business around the internet.

Conducted by freelancer.co.uk, the study found that an increasing number of start ups are turning to the internet to pedal their wares. In fact, the research shows a 42 per cent increase in the number of small businesses selling their products online this year in comparison to last.

Furthermore, there was a 36 per cent rise in the number of small companies selling their products overseas via e-commerce sites, highlighting the broad geographical potential of operating an online business.

Matt Barrie, of freelancer.co.uk, commented: “Small businesses have been encouraged to start exporting and their investment and efforts are paying off.

“Small businesses are investing heavily in e-commerce as they know that is the future. Watching previously untouchable high street giants HMV and Comet go into administration is also acting as a spur to small businesses to trade online, which will help them to cut overheads and open up their products to new markets around the world."

People opting to work from home might find that e-commerce works well with their lifestyle requirements and its potential for a great return makes it well worth looking into.