8,400 Welsh businesses look to grow with free digital advice
A RECORD number of businesses in Wales have received free digital business advice through the Superfast Business Wales programme, with more than 8,400 businesses signing up to become digitally fit.
Backed by the Welsh Government and European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), it provides free digital technology workshops and one-toone advice to trading businesses across Wales.
From digital marketing and SEO to online tools and CRM systems, more and more Welsh businesses are making the digital leap to support their growth locally, nationally and increasingly into international markets.
And, in increasingly uncertain times, it is these businesses which are reaping the rewards of digital fitness. In Wales 69% of digitally fit SMEs reported an increase in profits, according to the Digital Maturity Survey for Wales 2018, while nearly three-quarters of all businesses agreed that digital boosts productivity and helps them outsmart competitors.
One business to win with digital is south Wales-based GPT Environmental. The firm which planted digital at the heart of its business has grown by 20% over the last two years.
“After engaging with Superfast Business Wales, we made significant changes to our website and our entire digital strategy,” explains marketing manager Sam Chick.
And the changes paid dividends. Sales doubled between 2017 and 2018, and the firm is expanding its workforce with the opening of a new office in Exeter after securing a major three-year contract with Western Power.
“We are now looking at how using data and digital technology can help us make improvements across every part of our business,” added Chick.