It has been recently announced the loans comparison site Badger Loans will now begin collaborating with our SEO team at Tudor Lodge Consultants. The business is looking to help improve their online presence through developing their SEO practices and came to us having found out about the number of clients in various sectors we have helped using our SEO expertise.
Who are Badger Loans?
Badger Loans uses award-winning technology in order to provide the most suitable lenders to applicants, enabling them to find the very best deals available for not only good credit loans but bad ones too. The fundamental aim of the company is to provide ease of use for those looking to find a suitable loan, without having to compromise on the reputation of the lender.
How we are helping Badger Loans
Landing pages: Creating new landing pages for the Badger Loans website is one way to help the company build upon its reputation online. Our team has made sure that these new landing pages have been properly structured to help with SEO rankings: this includes using relevant topic titles, H2 headings as well as internal links on articles to help boost its ranking online.
Creating links: We know that it is vital for a firm’s Google ranking to have strong links, and our SEO team has made sure that Badger Loans will only from now on have strong links from other reputable websites. This has two benefits for the loan comparison site: not only will it now be easier to crawl for Google, but it also aides their SEO ranking.
Site redesign: another thing that the team at Tudor Lodge Consultants is working on is re-designing and updating the website, as this will also help improve its online presence and keep it in line with its other competitors online. For example, we will be introducing calculators onto the website, to help improve online engagement – as this will impact SEO ranking.
Tudor Lodge Consultants are currently working with Nineteen5 to help boost their visibility in the online world. Nineteen5 are a company that offer dynamic marketing and design services for businesses; this includes branding in addition to digital, print and presentation design. We help to boost their online visibility through our team of trained professionals, implementing various different SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) strategies to help bump up their rankings with Google. Tudor Lodge Consultants have achieved this through various different SEO tactics, including the following:
Getting new links – one of the many ways in which we have been helping to promote Nineteen5 online via Google is by acquiring links from reputable, trustworthy websites. In getting these new links for Nineteen5’s website, we have helped to build up a trustful reputation of the site, thereby making it easier to crawl and improve the position of the site on the search engine’s rankings.
Keyword research – we also took the time to understand and develop a list of our client’s prioritised keywords, and made sure that these keywords were included and fully optimised on the site through such methods as meta-titles and descriptions, including internal links, writing up image alt-text as well as creating dedicated landing pages.
Creating new landing pages – another great way to help in building up a distinctive and reputable online presence is through landing pages. This not only helps to show that the business has a wealth of knowledge within their chosen area, but also helps in optimising a site. We optimise the landing pages by structuring them to be relevant topics that also include H titles (e.g. h2s) and internal links. Including these features into the structure of a landing page can help to get it picked up by Google’s algorithms, improving the site’s rankings on the search engine.
Tudor Lodge Consultants are working with Alex James London, a photography business specialising in Fashion Editorial, Fashion Commercial, Portraits and also Moving Image. With our team of SEO professionals, Tudor Lodge Consultants have been helping to promote the online visibility of Alex James London by improving their site’s rankings on Google.
Improving Google’s ranking of a site can be done through a range of different SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) tactics. We have implemented a range of these different tactics to improve Alex James London’s position on the search engine’s rankings, including the following:
Fixing up the site
One of the many ways in which we help to optimise a site is to conduct a site clean-up, also known as fixing up the site. In this process, our team ensure that all meta-titles and meta-descriptions have been fully optimised with the correct keywords for the site. The keywords for the site were discussed with the clients, and have been fully integrated throughout to ensure effective optimisation.
Keywords are integrated into a site for optimisation through, as previously discussed, meta-titles and descriptions, as well as via the internal links between pages in the site. In addition to this, we ensure that pages include internal links, and that all of these internal links are working and load as smoothly as possible through fixing response codes.
We have also ensured that the image-alt text for all media in the Alex James London website is fully optimised. By conducting a site clean-up, Tudor Lodge Consultants has helped to make this client’s site easier for Google to crawl, thereby helping to bump up its position in the search engine’s rankings.
Maintaining the Alex James London design
Whilst conducting this optimisation, we have also had to ensure that the images and overall design of the site maintains its stunning artistic feel.
Authority
To strengthen the Alex James domain, we have looked for link opportunities across other business, arts, photography and news site. Every link back to the site is like a recommendation in Google eyes and we use a combination of links to the homepage (hyperlinking the brand name) and exact words like ‘fashion photographer’ to create a good balance and maximise the site’s authority for Google search results.
While the UK economy continues to fluctuate, with political uncertainty adding to the difficulties created by social change and international competition, Norfolk continues to show above-average levels of growth and productivity.
Norfolk is home to some of Britain’s most prominent businesses. We think of the insurance giant Aviva (the former Norwich Union) and the sports car manufacturer Lotus. Smaller businesses have always been important too, particularly in farming, fisheries and food production. But while the local economy remains relatively healthy, there is still much that needs to be done to ensure continued growth and prosperity into the future.
Employment remains steady
According to the most recent Norfolk Economic Intelligence Report, based on data up to June 2019, employment levels across Norfolk remain at a healthy 75.4%. This is slightly higher than the national average of 75.1%, but significantly below the regional level of 78%. Unemployment is at 4%, which again is somewhat better than the national average (4.2%) but not quite up to regional levels (3.5%).
Although the figures show a slightly upward movement in employment levels year on year, in more general terms, employment has remained fairly steady over the past couple of years. After hitting a high at the end of 2016 the numbers declined slightly before levelling out at the start of last year. However, the current level of employment is still higher than it was at any point from 2009-2016.
Higher than average
In terms of comparisons, employment in Norfolk has been higher than the national average throughout the decade, if lower than the regional level. In the last year or so the gap between the national level and Norfolk has shrunk so that now we can only show a marginally higher level of employment than the average for the UK as a whole.
The same pattern can be seen in house prices across the county. The average house price in Norfolk has risen by 31% since April 2015, but only 6% since 2018. Nationally, house prices have risen by 27% since 2015. Regionally the figure is 42%, with the report noting that this reflects the high price of properties in Cambridge, though more recent figures suggest that house prices in the city are now falling.
Business growth
In April 2018 it was reported that the local economy was treading water; in many ways that continues to be true. Like the rest of the country, Norfolk is affected by the uncertainty surrounding Britain’s exit from the European Union, with the result that international companies are reluctant to make firm commitments within the county. In many cases, local employers that do a large amount of business overseas are also waiting to see which way the economic winds will blow.
There are some causes for optimism though. Norfolk has many businesses in sectors that are to some degree “Brexit-proof”. Tourism and the visitor economy are increasingly important to the county, and greater investment in the hospitality sector will prompt further growth.
It is to be hoped that Norfolk’s important agribusinesses will also weather the storms ahead and that national demand will make up for any loss in international trade.
Future investment
Hopefully, the efforts of Lady Barbara Judge as the UK business ambassador on behalf of UK Trade and Investment will help to secure the trade deals and investments that Norfolk and the rest of the UK will need when we are no longer part of the EU. As one of the country’s most prominent business figures with strong ties to the US, Lady Barbara is well placed to argue the case for Britain’s continued global economic importance.
Locally the Invest East project continues to support local businesses. In particular, the Investment Readiness Scheme has helped many new start-ups begin the process of attracting outside investors in order to grow and prosper. In the energy sector, the East of England Offshore Wind Skills Centre (OWSC) has been providing vital training and support since it was established in April 2018. Community grants have also been made available for small VCSEs to provide training and support in terms of getting closer to the workplace or into formal learning.
Infrastructure
Also important is ensuring that Norfolk has a modern and up-to-date infrastructure to enable business growth and to provide reliable, high-speed connections to the rest of the UK, and the world. A positive step in this direction was the establishment of the new 90-minute train service between Norwich and London Liverpool Street in May 2019, following a long campaign by the ‘Norfolk in 90’ pressure group.
Norfolk represents 1.5% of England’s economic output, and 1.25% of the economy of the UK overall. Although currently there is restrained growth in the county, the fact that Norfolk is holding steady remains a cause for optimism. Careful nurturing and investment are needed to stimulate future growth, to ensure jobs for the next generation and tomorrow’s businesses.
The UK property market is one of the most popular investments in the world, with all nature of properties being available in one way or another. Buying a property of any sort, particularly in towns and cities across the UK can prove very lucrative and this is why despite changeable markets and a volatile investment environment, global investors are generally flocking to invest in UK property, in comparison to many other countries.
What many property owners and developers find though, is that investing cleverly into their property or portfolio of properties has the potential to increase the value by potentially vast amounts (source: HWDW). Popular improvements include loft conversions, upgraded plumbing and electrics and double glazing, all of which serve to benefit the occupants as well as the property’s value.
Loft Conversions
Increasingly, more property and homeowners than ever are undertaking loft-related improvements to their properties and for good reason. Loft conversions in the UK can add as much as 25%, sometimes more to the value of a property. by increasing the amount of liveable space and number of rooms in the property in question, there is more to the property which makes it that bit more desirable to any potential buyers.
How much a loft conversion actually increases the property’s value however, will be determined by various factors including:
The type of conversion (terraced, dormer, mansard)
The are and location of the property
The planning permission laws in the neighbourhood
How much space and how many rooms the conversion adds to the property
The value of houses and properties in the area
Plumbing and Electrics
The plumbing and electrics in a properly are fundamental to the running, safety and everyday costs of the house or flat in question. A very desirable feature, newly upgraded plumbing and electrical systems mean that future occupants need not worry about having to replace these systems which may otherwise prove very expensive.
Also, by having upgraded electrics in particular, the property will be much more energy efficient which is both better for the environment and the occupants who will see their energy and heating bills come down, yet another desirable feature of any property.
When it comes to the plumbing, by upgrading and improving the necessary components including the boiler, radiators and central heating, sinks, taps and more, the property may well find itself being more water efficient. Improved water and plumbing systems also often mean the property is less at risk of things like boiler breakdowns and flooding, not related to the weather.
The Displacers mini-series comprises of video interviews with inspiring thought leaders and company directors. These leaders are pioneering revolutions in their industries and are evolving the way in which we all do business.
The focus of this project is people that move industry forwards. People that push boundaries and help us all perform better as a result. They are running companies that exist beyond county lines. Based here, but operating nationally and internationally. These frank, and often personal discussions, strip back the company and reveal the individual.
Episode 1 features Loui Blake, Director of Erpingham House, Kalifornia Kitchen and Future Football Elite.
Loui is a pioneering entrepreneur. He is sparking a revolution in vegan and plant-based food, undertaking exceptional feats of physical endurance for fun and developing his own personal brand as a thought leader in sustainable living.
His belief is inspiring, his motivation drives him and his passion guides him. Watch the video to find out precisely why he does what he does.
The Stars of Norfolk & Waveney Awards are on the look out for one last sponsor for the Education Champion of the Year. These awards a run in collaboratin with the Eastern Daily Press and aim to regonsie every day heros – people in our communities who go above and beyond what’s expect of them to make Norfolk such an amazing place to live.
As category sponsor you will receive the following:
• Chance to sit on the judging panel
• Six free tickets to the Awards evening
• Local media coverage is assured, plus involvement from other businesses
• Logos and company recognition on pre-event promotions such as programmes, flyers and posters
• Advertising across all social media – including our website, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and Supporters Board
• Advertising on the main screen and plasma TVs throughout the evening
• Presentation of the award to the category winner
• Photograph with category winner.
This is your opportunity to join us in singing the praises of local and give them the recognition and appreciation they so rightly deserve.
Freebridge Community Housing has once again donated £5000 to seven community groups who are making a difference across West Norfolk through the Freebridge Community Fund.
The annually awarded funding supports community groups who promote health and wellbeing, the environment, support residents or bring communities together through applications of up to £1000 for projects that have a positive impact within West Norfolk.
Representatives from this year’s successful groups were invited to lunch with Simon Smith, Vice Chairman of Freebridge’s Board, alongside the judging panel made up of Freebridge employees and tenants, where they had the opportunity to talk about their charities and the plans they have for the money they have now received.
This year the recipients of funding were the:
West Norfolk Deaf Association – who received £655 towards running a number of deaf awareness sessions for local organisations
South West Norfolk Youth Opportunities Project – who received £500 towards the purchase of furniture at the main centre
Downham Market Arts – who received £750 towards helping the group establish themselves in a new location
King’s Lynn Winter Night Shelter – who received £1000 towards providing clean laundry to their guests
Pandora Project – who received £750 towards helping support their annual domestic abuse conference
Woodcraft Folk – who received £750 towards setting up a new Woodcraft Folk group at the Discover Centre in King’s Lynn, and the
North End Trust – who received £595 towards making space available for community groups to use.
Tracy Mahoney, Service Manager at the Pandora Project said “We are delighted to receive funding from Freebridge Community Housing towards our annual domestic abuse conference for professionals. This event is very popular with local agencies and offers the opportunity to learn more about the support available for women and children affected by domestic abuse while promoting a more joined up approach to working. We are delivering workshops, speakers and networking and through backing from our sponsors the event is free for agencies to attend.”
Simon Smith, Freebridge’s Vice Chairman, also met with the charities and said “It’s always rewarding to meet with representatives from groups that are doing such valuable and much-needed work in the area, particularly given Freebridge’s vision of supporting a better West Norfolk. It is very pleasing to hear about how the money received from the Freebridge Community Fund is providing very real help to a number of extremely worthwhile projects in the area.”
Caption – Representatives from the successful community groups alongside Simon Smith, Vice Chairman of Freebridge’s Board and employees and tenants from the application judging panel.
Certain means of contact such as telephone calls and emails aren’t always the most reliable. For instance, emails have limited access, requiring Wi-Fi or an internet connection. What’s more, businesses may be too busy or unable to answer a phone call. This can often represent a missed opportunity if the customer forgets to ring back or leave a voicemail. Admittedly, texting would cover a few of these implications as it can be sent whenever and sits in the receiver’s phone until they look at it. However, texting isn’t deemed professional in the working world and this is where Google My Business’ new messaging feature could step in…
What is the new Google My Business messaging feature?
In the words of the search engine giant themselves: “Google My Business messaging allows customers viewing your listing to message you directly. Respond to questions, share information, and quickly connect, for free.“
What industries would this feature work best for?
This feature will work best for small businesses who interact personally with their customers and clients. This includes businesses such as hairdressers, taxi services, and car garages.
Typically, businesses such as these will benefit most as they’re able to answer customer queries relating to the business and find out more detailed information about what the customer needs. Instant contact also means their less wasted time that comes hand in hand with the delayed back and forth of email and missed phone calls.
On top of this, small businesses target clientele in their local area for the most part and will have the scope to answer questions from customers who live or are visiting the area. National companies may not have the knowledge of everyone’s local area to answer their questions accurately, so this could well present a golden opportunity for smaller businesses.
What is required to do this?
With this being a Google product, for the time being it’s only available to Android users. If you do own an Android device, the first requirement is to download the Google My Business app from Google Play or the App Store.
From here, it’s simple. All you need to do is open the location in your Google My Business account that you wish to manage messaging through, tap the ‘Customers’ tab and select ‘Turn on’ under ‘Messages’. You can also turn these off here, as well as delete or block any unwanted messages.
Once you’ve turned on this option for your Google My Business location, users will be able to see the ‘Message’ button within your listing. It can be found close to the ‘Call’ and ‘Website’ buttons.
Upon setting up this feature, there are various aspects to bear in mind:
You will receive notifications whenever a user contacts the company, so there’s no need to worry about missing messages.
It is possible to create an automated welcome message to ensure customers are aware that you’re active and likely to respond when given the chance.
Anyone who has access to your Google My Business location will be able to respond to messages – make sure you’re happy for everyone who has access to do this.
Customers will be able to see the profile name and photo of whichever Google account user responds to their message – ensure everyone has a professional and appropriate selection for these.
What does this mean for your other means of contact?
Whilst many customers, particularly younger audiences, may be quite taken with using this approach, there will be customers who prefer to speak to someone about their query or who need to carry out research on your website first.
Although it certainly seems that Google is constantly introducing new features to Google My Business that could make some aspects of your website redundant, your website is still the best platform for users to find out more information about your services and products. Once a user lands on your website, they’re unlikely to return to your Google My Business listing in order to contact you.
For now, we would look at the messaging feature on Google My Business as an addition to your current means of contact, helping to improve your response time and customer relationships.
The Tudor Lodge Consultants team is happy to announce we will begin to work with Calming Blankets, who provide the best-weighted blankets on the market today. We will begin collaborating with the firm to help boost their SEO presence online and increase their Google ranking through our tried and tested reliable SEO methods.
About Calming Blankets
Calming Blankets sell weighted blankets that help people get a better night’s sleep, by providing comfort through the use of their premium fabrics. These blankets have been proven to help people with insomnia, children with autism and those affected by sleep disorders. So far, the company has sold over 50,000 in Australia, and they are now launching in the UK under their new website: https://calmingblankets.co.uk
What we are doing for Calming Blankets Meta-data
Meta-data is very important when it comes to search rankings. We are helping Calming Blankets clean up their metadata, by ensuring all information listed is relevant, as well as removing duplicates on the site and making sure meta descriptions are the right length so that they are properly indexed by Google (under 165 characters).
Site clean-up
We will be carrying out a thorough clean up of the website to ensure that the site can be indexed by Google as efficiently as possible. For Calming Blankets, our team will put in every effort to ensure that all titles, descriptions, internal links, response codes and image-alt text have all been optimised and fixed. This will allow for smooth indexing of the website by Google, which will boost the firm’s online presence.
Backlinks
We will make sure that Calming Blankets has strong backlinks, and we will achieve this by having only reputable websites linking to the business which passed on authority to the website. We have already started approaching any partners for links including designers, stockists, accountants, outlets and many more. We are submitting a number of different press releases to different websites relating to business, startups, lifestyle and homes, creating relevancy and positioning the brand correctly.
Although early days, we expect to see the website rank in the top 10 pages of Google within a few weeks and gain a page 1 position within 3-6 months to competitive keywords including weighted blankets and sensory blankets.
Stop Marketing and Start Campaigning No, I haven’t lost the plot. It’s just that many of the micro business owners I interact with aren’t marketing. They’re doing something they call marketing, but it’s more a lot of ad-hoc, online and offline ‘chatter’. Marketing is planned and strategic. Planning and strategy are imperative because marketing is the thing that carries the key message of a business to a specific target audience in order to achieve an overall business objective. So, What is Marketing? Keeping it simple:
Marketing is a constant, consistent range of activities across a wide variety of channels, both online and offline
Marketing has objectives and measurable targets
Marketing is not a ‘quick win’ solution
Marketing costs money. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money, but it does need a budget
This is why I believe many micro businesses need to stop doing what they call marketing; because what they are doing is likely to be having very little impact on their business and profitability, while having a massive impact on their time and stress levels. Does this Mean You Should Do No Marketing? Absolutely not! I believe that micro businesses need to do two things:
Create a marketing plan
Start campaigning
Campaigns give marketing a boost. Marketing is constant and consistent delivering a key message to a target audience. Campaigns take place within a designated timeframe; campaigns are designed to achieve a specific objective such as an event, an offer or a promotion; campaigns are created to reach a particular group within the overall target audience of the business, such as VIP clients or repeat business from customers who haven’t purchased anything for the last three months. Four Key Stages in Creating a Marketing Campaign Stage 1: Planning
Define the goals and desired outcomes for the event, offer or promotion – for example, 20 repeat orders, 50 attendees at the event, turnover £5,000
Define the client group – for example, customers who previously spent more than £250
Set the event, offer or promotion date(s) – for example, 1st to 5th December
Create the title of the campaign – for example, One Day to Day One: Creating Your First Profitable Campaign, Course or Programme
Create the content of the event, offer or promotion – for example, 1-day, VIP Strategic Success Marketing Campaign Planning Day
Stage 2: Build-Up
Start a social media campaign blogging, Tweeting, posting etc. on topics connected to your event offer or promotion [NB: this is not a sales or a ‘buy me’ message]
Use email marketing and newsletter to drop hints about what is coming
Network as widely as possible to make new connections
Stage 3: Launch
Increase your social media output – be more specific about what is on offer
Ensure that your diary is clear and has enough space to enable you to handle enquiries or take-up of the offer.
Stage 4: Analysis and Follow-Up
Measure the outcomes of the campaign. Did you reach your target? What went well? What didn’t go well? What will you do differently next time?
Set the follow-up process into action
Send a personalised thank-you all those customers or clients who took-up the offer
Post out a general thank-you message across all social media channels – ensuring people know what they missed – perhaps they will be at the front of the queue next time!
If you’ would like to discuss your micro business marketing and campaign strategy in more detail, why not book a FREE Discovery Call with me today?
Love it or hate it, sales is essential for growing your business. Without savvy sales you will struggle to gain the clients you need to survive in todays competitive marketplace. But it is a constant challenge because sales has changed a lot in recent years, mainly due to the use of technology and the way customers now make their purchasing decisions. So it is important that businesses don’t fall behind by using outdated, old-school sales tactics.
There are four key ways that selling has changed. Here are my thoughts on how you can adapt.
Selling is now about people buying you, before they start to buy into your business, products and services. That means personal brand is everything! It is vital that you do not leave this process to chance and work to create the best first impression you can. You can influence how people perceive you, those working with you, and your business. Talking about industry insights that are relevant to your customers and selling your personal differentiators will help you stand out in the crowd. Think about how you can apply this in your business and how it will change how potential new customers perceive you. Ask yourself…would my competitors be so professional?
Selling is no longer about pushy cold calls. It’s about helping and finding solutions to problems. Having an understanding of your customer’s industry will help, but you need to get under their skin and find out what problems, issues, frustrations and challenges they have. Find out what the negative impact might be if these things are not addressed. Making each sales conversation about the customer’s agenda, not yours, will enable you to sell solutions to problems in a way that customers see the real value of your products or services.
We all know that there are new touchpoints that a customer will explore before deciding to buy. These might include social media, email, print adverts, brochures, websites, comparison and review sites. In fact the average sale requires 7 to 10 touches with brand before a potential buyer converts into a customer. We need to remember that customers are not just giving you their money, they’re also going you time. So it is vital that you create positive touchpoint interactions. And don’t forget content marketing, the use of which is on the rise. It shouldn’t be trying to make a direct sale, rather position your brand as a helpful resource during the decision making process.
The one size fits all approach no longer works and there is now a need for individualisation. The sales process has not really changed, but the emphasis on a hard close has long been replaced by the strong opening and the need to understand your customer’s agenda. It is essential to be flexible in your approach and use different strategies for different clients. Make the conversation relevant and about ‘them’. Asking meaningful open questions that have impact will help you uncover needs, pains, issues, frustrations and challenges that you can match with the benefits of your products or services. Only then will you be communicating real value to the customer.
With the world having a surplus of similar companies, employing similar people with similar educational backgrounds, working in similar jobs, coming up with similar ideas, producing similar things, with similar prices and similar quality, the need to stand out in the crowd is more important now than it has ever been. Essentially your customers need to understand 3 things:
WHAT are the benefits of using your business?
HOW can you help solve their problem?
WHY they should use you instead of a competitor?
This means that everyone within your business who has direct contact with customers, potential new and existing, needs to understand your sales value proposition. Your SVP shows how your products or services create value for a specific customer segment and it has four essential elements:
Seeing things from the customers perspective
Telling them what is in it for them, i.e. the benefits and value that show why they should care about your solution
Saying why they should choose to buy from you, i.e. how you differentiate from your competitors
Giving some proof by using reviews or testimonials to create trust
Remember though that your sales value proposition is of little value unless it connects with the customers business issues or objectives.
Many businesses have found that word of mouth, having a website or printed material has been enough to attract new customers. However, the goal posts keep moving and will continue to do so with BREXIT. From a sales point of view this makes the need to differentiate your business in order to generate more business even more essential. BREXIT will make it more important for companies to come across as trusted advisors or partners. Building up relationships with customers is going to be more vital than ever to sustaining continued growth, both in terms of winning repeat business and in getting referrals to convert to sales.
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