These aren't really New Year's resolutions, but things that any small business owner would be well advised to do as soon as possible and then review regularly:

1. Google your own name, your business name and/or product name(s). What websites come up on the front page and can you improve your entry on those sites? View the later pages: what are people saying about you?

2. Look into how the Web can save you money. Social media optimisation can replace at least part of costly marketing campaigns: perhaps you can use web applications or cloud computing to reduce the cost of software.
3. Can you be more green about the way you do business? Can you resist printing off documents, recycle, travel in a greener way?
4. Look for opportunities: startups especially can go into high growth during a recession, some of the reasons being: because there is less competition, finance may be cheaper, and you'll start up lean and motivated.

Here are some more ideas: Guy Kawasaki suggests testing out your service from the point of view of a prospect or customer and has other helpful pointers. Robin Grant offers Five social media New Year's resolutions for your business. Bill Murphy, managing director of BT Business, looks at small business technology for 2009. Give your business a kick start in 2009 with these straightforward business practices.