Published date 1 October 2021

Free help to grow your business using tech

Lady and man at a computer

Tech is a key tool to boost business, but how do you maximise its effectiveness?

We’re offering small businesses in the West of England help to improve their digital presence and grow.

It’s all thanks to a scheme funded by the West of England Combined Authority led by Metro Mayor Dan Norris.

Delivered in partnership with TechSPARK, the Tech for Growth programme will match businesses with a consultant and support them with up to four days of hands-on support to develop and adopt technology. The support is fully funded and bespoke to each company’s requirements.

Metro Mayor Dan Norris said: “People involved in raising the profile of small and growing businesses know how important it is to be seen online.

“They also know that the tools and techniques involved in online marketing keep changing fast. Keeping up to speed can be hard. That’s exactly why this great new scheme can give them an important boost to keep them on the front foot.”

The new programme follows on from a successful pilot earlier this year which supported 84 local businesses.

One of the companies to benefit was Bristol Cider Shop. Owner Pete Snowman said: “The programme was very well delivered from the initial requirements planning session with TechSpark through to the delivery of the brand and social media work by The Social Detail. It has been very helpful in informing our digital strategy and has given us the confidence to strengthen our online offer and develop a new website to drive online sales, so we don't have to rely on physical sales channels.”

Applications for the new Tech for Growth programme, which will support up to 200 businesses, are now open.

The programme which runs until June 2023, can help businesses:

  • Create a new website or improve your existing one with strategies for Search Engine Optimisation
  • Develop a digital marketing strategy including using pay per click and google adwords
  • Increase social media engagement and followers and create clear sales paths
  • Install and/or update eCommerce platforms
  • Build effective marketing campaigns and automate sales strategies
  • Research and adopt new systems including Customer Relationship Management systems, financial and project management.

TechSPARK Director Abby Frear said: “The last 18 months have shown that being able to use tech is absolutely essential for businesses wanting to grow. We're delighted that we can connect some of Bristol & Bath's leading tech talent with local businesses to help them utilise digital to enable their ambitions. It's a great opportunity and a win-win for the area.”

Eligible businesses will be based in Bristol, Bath and North East Somerset or South Gloucestershire, have been trading for at least a year and have aspirations to grow their turnover or number of employees.

Businesses interested in participating in the scheme should visit the West of England Growth Hub for further information via https://bit.ly/305vLk9.

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