Previously, a non-executive director of a global publishing firm, Tim Johnston, set up Johnston Marketing in 2020 and, to date, has worked with hundreds of Thanet businesses:
Thanet is a great place for various reasons, the picturesque Viking Bay, the Ramsgate Marina or the glorious Margate sunset to name just a few.
What’s also great about our Isle is the abundance of amazing small businesses which, in recent years, have gone from strength to strength.
Even in my four years of trading, I have seen so many brilliant local, family-run companies form and succeed. Thanet’s local economy has benefitted from local regeneration efforts, and I can’t see the beach days ending any time soon.
As many business owners will know, in the 2020s the landscape changes pretty quickly. With the growth of digital technology it can become a case of “staying ahead of the curve” which can have its challenges.
I’ve listed some useful tips to help Thanet based businesses:
Social media
Whether you’re a one-person show or a team of 30, social media continues to be a great digital marketing medium to bring in new clients and tell your business’s story. Utilising AI in social media has become common practise and there are some amazing softwares available to assist your efforts.
Something to consider is both video and static content are important. Depending on industry, see what performs best for you and run with it. Also, small businesses can utilise their “family-run” feel to build trust with customers.
Website
The two most important aspects of your website are the following
- Is the user experience great?
- Does it look good on a mobile?
As people, we like simplicity. Your website should be a convenient journey for your clients. They’ll want the following information when they visit your site
- List of services
- Client reviews
- Call to action ( contact)
Over 58% of people access websites via mobile phones so ensuring your site is mobile optimised is essential. Capturing customer data is also very important so you can keep relevant, previous customers up-to-date with your latest news and offers with email marketing.
2025 will come with its challenges for small business. Make sure you’re prepared for what’s in store.
Remember that content is king and to follow the data. It can be tough working on your business when you’re so busy working in it. Utilise the quieter times to come up with a content plan for socials and make sure your website is clear and user friendly.
Here’s to a great year ahead fellow small business owners of Thanet!
“Utilising AI in social media has become common practise”… yep, and I can easily tell. Far better to create posts yourself, and put some of YOU in ’em.
Far more important than any of these is put opening hours on your door or in your window – and stick by them. So often I’ve avoided new businesses as I’ve no idea whn they’re open or closed (particularly in Margate).
Good point Peter, I have found a very relaxed approach to the basics i.e. opening and closing times, returning calls, following through on promises, all in regard to new start ups. Recently I purchased a ride on lawnmower from an established business even though the cost was higher, because they focused on my needs, including visiting my garden to make sure the correct machine was sold to me. A local start up, purely focused on price and how it was almost a privilege it was for me to be buying a product from them!