The number of online orders to Australian businesses increased by almost a third during the 2010-2011 financial year, speaking volumes on the growing importance of internet sales.

The Australian Bureau of Statistics research released on Tuesday showed that local businesses received online orders worth $189 billion in the 12 months to June 30, 2011, an increase of $46 billion, or 32 per cent, on the previous corresponding period.

The number of businesses receiving orders online also increased by 13 per cent over the same period to 28 per cent.

Wholesale trade (52 per cent) and manufacturing industries (50 per cent) were most likely to have received orders online.

However, only 35 per cent of retail businesses had received online orders, with just 44 per cent in the sector having a website.

Google Australia head of local business Claire Hatton said one in five of its searches were local in nature and on mobile devices it was one in three.

She also said Google receives more searches for pizza than for Lady Gaga, with Australians 10 times more likely to search for Italian fast food on the weekend than the pop star.

“When we are out and about and we need to find the closest florists or locksmith we use our smartphone to find those businesses,” Ms Hatton said.

“If you own a business and you don’t have a mobile optimised website you are invisible to a large number of clients who will just go to your competitor who’s made the move online already.”

Across all sectors 40 to 43 per cent of businesses had a website.

But while 97 per cent of large business had a website, only a third of small businesses reported having one.