Setting up shop was a recurring theme for small businesses this year, according to end-of-year business search results obtained from Google.

Four of the top 10 searched terms - 'business for sale', 'franchise', 'starting a business' and 'Amway'- all related to starting a business.

However, nothing could push the number one concern -'make money'- out of the top spot.

'Business for sale' was the second most popular search, with 'survey' rounding out the top three.

At number eight on the list, global direct-selling firm Amway was the only company to feature in the top 10.

Amway New Zealand senior manager Simon Bennett said the company had made social media a strong focus over the last 15 months.

"We put a lot of effort in, and now the fruits of the labour are starting to show through."

Despite early scepticism from some at the company the policy had started to pay off especially in the last few months, he said.

"It's like push-starting a car", he said. "When the wheels start turning, we use less energy."

Bennett said there was a shift towards making online content more accessible for tablet computers and smartphones, which were commonly used by the young.

"Now what we've got to do is get the 40-plus brigade on board - and that's happening."

Top small business searches for 2011:

1. Make money

2. Business for sale

3. Survey

4. KiwiSaver

5. Franchise

6. Small business

7. Work from home

8. Amway

9. Starting a business

10. Unclaimed money

- © Fairfax NZ News