Businessmen and women across North Devon have been branching out into new methods of online networking in the hope of beating the recession.

It would appear that business networking as we know it may be a bit outdated — a small group of people shoved into a room and forced to make awkward chit-chat over cheap wine and over-priced nibbles may have had its day.

However, a number of online networking sites have become increasingly popular with the business community of North Devon.

Familiar social websites such as Facebook and Twitter, as well as the less well-known Ecademy and BT Tradespace, are providing local companies with a cheap, easily accessible online presence and a means of spreading the word about their services, products and promotions.

Robert Zarywacz, who runs a marketing and communications company from Ilfracombe, met Kevin Woodward of Bideford-based Multiheat Energy Systems on Ecademy.com.

As well as being members of several other online networking services, the pair now run the North Devon Ecademy Business Club — an online group containing nearly 70 members with business interests in the area.

Robert said: "People are using social networking sites as a serious business tool.

"I have secured contracts to provide PR for clients through the LinkedIn website while Kevin has received numerous enquiries through the blogging site, Twitter."

Indeed, as Kevin recalled, he managed to seal a deal online while listening to football commentary on his computer one night.

Kevin said: "My Twitter name is 'llamakevin' because I breed llamas in my spare time but my profile states that I also sell infrared heating solutions.

"So while chatting away about llamas, someone asked if I could help with a heating solution for a large project.

"I said yes and we are currently working on providing them with a full solution — what a great way to receive a business enquiry."

Free basic membership to many of these sites allows the user to create a profile page with links to their own business website.

Some sites will allow you to post online adverts and help to increase your own website traffic when you sign up to a fully paid membership — though this is not always necessary.

Robert added: "Any business can experiment with these sites for no investment other than time.

"In challenging trading conditions, social networking offers businesses powerful marketing tools which require no extra outlay and, from this angle alone, every business should investigate them."