Small businesses are missing the chance to "steal the lead" from big firms by not making their websites accessible to disabled people.
According to Julie Howell, director of accessibility at web design firm Fortune Cookie, smaller firms are not doing enough to encourage disabled people to use their internet sites.
However, as bigger firms tend to make cursory efforts on the subject, if SMEs put some effort in they can reap the rewards.
"It's a real opportunity for smaller businesses because they can potentially offer a much better customer service," she said.
Disabled people often have much better relationships with smaller companies because of the more personal service they offer, something that SMEs should look to capitalise on, Ms Howell added.
According to the Guide to Good Practice in Commissioning Accessible Website, accessibility is defined as the "ability of people with disabilities to perceive, understand, navigate and interact with websites".
