Despite the reality of the recession, online entities seem to be defying the gravity of the situation and are floating ever upwards.

Google surprised everyone with final quarter revenues up 18% year-on-year and up 3% on the previous quarter.

www.google.com.

While newspapers continue to struggle with revenues - particularly subscription sales, their online counterparts are raising some eyebrows and record numbers. The Sun has just released its ABCe figures and the Sun Online passed 18 million unique users in December,for the first time, defying the traditional online visitor slowdown that comes during the Christmas period. Despite most online media sites reporting month-to-month drops in visitors, year-on-year they were up 40 - 80%.

The Internet may be the light at the end of the recession tunnel for many businesses. It is worth taking a closer look at what it can offer - from a customer service connection, to sales, to joining a cluster.

Follow the leaders!