This IDC study examines small and medium-sized business (SMB) Internet-related technology use and demographic characteristics across key industry segments, where small businesses are defined as having fewer than 100 employees and medium-sized firms as having 100?999 employees. This study examines those differences in areas such as Internet penetration and use, methods of Internet access, applications acquired online, promotion and ecommerce, and online buying.

"There is no one-size-fits-all solution for SMBs," says Merle Sandler, senior research analyst in the SMB program at IDC. "They are diverse in nature, and their level of Internet sophistication varies, not only by company size but also by industry."