The freely available "IT explained" guide covers six areas, with the skills body promising jargon-free advice. The areas covered include getting started with IT, data security, using online resources, building a website, marketing and selling online.

The guide also helps firms deal with with cost and training implications, and plan for growth and changing business needs.

Martin Harvey, of e-skills UK, said: "Technology has the power to transform a small business, but companies can find it difficult to know where to start. They worry about making the wrong choices, about the skills needed and the costs involved."

Harvey said the guide complemented e-skills UK's interactive, online Business IT Guide website.

The IT Explained guide can be downloaded .