The Internet has produced many success stories, business that have utilised its power to sell and market services to a global market. No more so than Amazon who sell anything from books to electronics. Another company who have made their name on the Internet are Easyjet who sell in the order of 90 per cent of its aircraft seats online. Travel Industry giant. Marriott Hotels have taken over $400m of online bookings in the last year compared to $50 million in 1998. But don't be fooled into thinking that these companies were well established before the birth of the Internet and simply jumped onto the Internet scene. This type of success story is happening to business of all sizes and all types and much closer to home than you think!

Whilst many of these large companies are making a tidy packet, there are many smaller companies making their own fair share of ripples. Take for instance Eagle Machinery, a West Bromwich based heavy machinery supplier has managed to save itself from extinction thanks to marketing itself on the web. Just over two years ago exporting was a small fraction of the companies business until Eagle's managing director Nissr Mijim decided to promote the business at the top of major search engines. As a result not only did this save the company from bankruptcy but it also exports shot up and turnover trebled. As a result of Internet marketing 90 per cent of the company's orders arrive via the Internet, generating leads and sales from as far a field as China, Tibet and even the North and South Poles!

And for those of you that think people only sell music or cars on the Internet think again. Take Jack Scaife who spent most of his life behind a butcher's counter and four years ago didn't even understand the word 'Internet'. Now he's exchanged his shop in Keighly for a PC and a Web site and sells dry cured bacon and black pudding to Africa, Hong Kong and most European countries. And, his annual turnover has increased from £70,000 to £700,000! Click here to read our featured case study.