FSB report shows that 28% don’t even have websites!

As small businesses battle to survive the economic downturn, the founder of Toolkit Websites – http://www.toolkitwebsites.co.uk – offers some workable and affordable New Year tips to help SMEs get their website into shape in order to add value and increase more online business.

The Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) has conducted its regular report into the opinions of UK business owners which reveals that just over a quarter (28 per cent) did not have a website and some 37 per cent did not have access to fast broadband, particularly in rural areas. The FSB is urging broadband providers to offer a uniform service around the country, and small businesses are being advised to make their investments in IT – such as websites – during this downturn count.

Marcus Green, Founder of Toolkit Websites, is confident that his team can offer a real lifeline to many of the 13.5million people who work in small businesses around the country. He explains: “With traditional businesses suffering the worst of the recession, this is a great time for agile online businesses, particularly those who can swiftly adapt and add value to their clients. Having a website is no longer a nice to have, it’s essential. But it needn’t break the bank. Our 10 page website is just £25pm and £477 setup.”

Toolkit Websites’ customer Bev Holden, who runs Bev Holden Photography in Stafford, agrees: “My website has generated a whole year’s work and it’s my sole method of advertising, so I think that’s success enough.”

Marcus and his team offer SMEs the following tips:

Your Website Should Work Hard!

In the competitive market that small businesses face today, your website is your shop window to the world. You can tap into a global market that uses search engines to find products and services like yours. Your customers are web savvy, you should be too!

Be Easy to Find

If you have a website which you can update yourself, you can optimise the content to match the keywords that customers use to find products and services like yours. You need to make it easy for customers to find you on the internet high street.

You’d advertise any business in real life and the way to do this on the web is through a combination of great keyword rich content and inbound links to your website. We’ve put together a free search engine guide packed with tips and tricks which you can download at:

www.mysearchguide.co.uk

Advertise Your Business

With Google Adwords, you’ll appear in the sponsored results that are on the right hand side of Google Pages. You can target your adverts to the keywords that you know your customers are searching for. Find out more:

http://adwords.google.co.uk/

Update Your Website

You should update your site constantly. Frequently updated sites get visited more often by the search engines and customers alike. It’s a great way to keep your customers informed about your business.

You can use your website to build up a relationship with your customers, perhaps by showing a behind the scenes view in a blog or by doing spotlights on customers and what they ordered.

To find out how to choose the best web design company for your business have a read of our free business web design guide:

www.mywebguide.co.uk

Make it Simple

Once people are on your patch of the web, you need to make it easy for them to browse and place an order. If it’s difficult to order they’ll take their business elsewhere. A great way to set up an online shop is to use Paypal. It’s really simple for you and your customers. Find out more:

http://www.paypal.co.uk/

You also need to ensure that it’s easy for people to ask questions and find information on delivery charges and times. Why not use an online contact form to encourage your customers to get in touch?

Displaying your phone number prominently on your website is also a good idea. For some customers only a chat with a real person will do, and no one knows your products and services like you!

Ends

For further press information, please contact:

Katie King
Tel: 01892 520123 / 07525 727288
Email: katie {at} 2thefore(.)biz