Mark Elliott, chief executive of DigitalCity Business

THERE'S no question that digital technology is big business.

Recently we’ve witnessed a global media sensation as the world united in mourning the loss of Apple’s leader and founder, Steve Jobs, and subsequently become transfixed with the launch of its newest innovation, the iPhone 4s.

Apple’s share price rocketed to more than $400, solidifying its position as the world’s most valuable brand and knocking global powerhouse Coca-Cola off its pedestal.

When you think about it, digital technology is ingrained into society with brands such as Facebook, Twitter and that old timer Google, becoming part of daily life.

But what does this really mean to most businesses, particularly those who aren’t involved directly with digital - the retailers, the manufacturers, the service industries?

Recent figures show that there are around 300 million websites hosted on the world wide web and we send on average 294 billion emails per day from around three billion email accounts.

Digital technology is all around us but a lot of businesses aren’t getting the best from it .

It’s simply a case of spending money to develop a website “because everyone needs one”.

For companies who don’t understand the true benefit of a strong digital strategy, it’s difficult to see the value of the investment - and an investment is what it should be.

One of the companies new to the DigitalCity cluster is Bli.nk Digital.

They’re not developers and are not trying to create new technology products, but what they do is show businesses in any sector how they can make more money by using digital.

And ultimately every business wants to make more money.

They’ve worked with publishers, charities and businesses across different sectors to help them engage with their audience in the most cost-effective ways possible, concentrating on results, and increasing revenues - proving that the DigitalCity is working for businesses.

It’s this kind of engagement with digital that DigitalCity really wanted to add to its cluster alongside the technology companies we already have here.

Intelligent use of digital can prove invaluable to almost any business; reaching a wider audience, selling to new areas or reduced costs in communications.

However, I believe that the biggest advantage is the control and information it gives a business - making profitable decision-making so much easier.