Britain's small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) are becoming more serious about marketing, research has revealed.

According to data obtained by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), SMEs are increasingly interested in workshops on the core concepts of marketing, in addition to marketing communication.

E-marketing courses are increasingly popular, with many SMEs keen to grasp the concepts of the platform.

"Many SMEs . are realising that there is a need to get serious when it comes to marketing their products or services, or in developing relationships with stakeholders and clients," said Geoff Hurst, marketing director for CIM.

E-marketing is perceived to be a more cost-effective marketing platform, with the potential to reach a wider audience.

The history of CIM goes back as far as 1911, with the creation of the Sales Managers Association.