Websites set up by small and medium enterprises (SMEs) can languish very quickly, one industry expert has claimed this week.

According to the British Computer Society (BCS), after the "initial excitement" of an SME setting up a website has faded many owners lose interest in maintaining and developing the site.

Howard Gerlis, a fellow at the BCS, said: "Much depends on what their business does and whether the web is complementary to that to bring in extra sales or simply reach out to a wider audience to gain recognition and awareness."

A good website, he added, must be eye-catching and provide good content that is "quick and easy" to find.

Furthermore, businesses should consider how they are going to motivate the customer to make repeat visits to the site.

Research conducted by Netflare recently revealed that 23 per cent of SMEs have not updated their website since its launch.

Another 38 per cent of SMEs reported spending no money updating their website in the four years following its launch whatsoever.

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