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Do Small Firms Need Both a Website and Social Media?

by | Mar 12, 2025 | , ,

Your website and social media work better together

Your website and social media work better together

As a busy small business owner, it can be tempting to see digital marketing as a distraction. In most cases, it’s not what you went into business to do, is it? Okay, your customers spend a lot of time online — but does that really mean you need both a website and social media? Isn’t one enough?

Well, yes. And no. In that order. Here’s why.

Why Small Firms Need a Professional Website

As you know, whether you sell online or not, a website represents your business 24/7/365. Most consumers check traders’ websites before buying from them, and judge your professionalism based on how much effort and investment you’ve put in. So not having a website at all undermines sales.… Read the rest “Do Small Firms Need Both a Website and Social Media?”

How to Help Small Firms (And Why)

by | Mar 4, 2025 |

Helping small firms - think big, shop small

Think big, shop small

A Quick Guide for Concerned Consumers

Let’s face it: the stuff trickling down from corporate “trickle-down economics” isn’t what you hoped it would be, right?

I can’t help that, but I can help small firms compete against the big ones. So can you – and it’s in your interests to do so.

Here’s the how and why:

Getting more customers lets small firms resist inflation, keeping prices down. Sound good? Okay, but having to pay big firms for marketing pushes their prices up. That also boosts corporate profits, and corporate control.

So here’s what you can do — for free — to help small firms fight that:

  • Recommend the small businesses you know to everyone, frequently.
  • Make a point of giving those small firms positive reviews and ‘likes’ on Google, Facebook etc.
… Read the rest “How to Help Small Firms (And Why)”

How to Attract More Website Visitors

by | Feb 12, 2025 |

How can you attract more website visitors?

How can you attract more website visitors?

Are you missing opportunities online? With two billion websites online, just having one doesn’t guarantee potential customers will find you. You’ll need to promote it, just like any brick-and-mortar business premises. Paid ads are fast but addictive, and can massively inflate your Customer Acquisition Cost (CAC). Free website traffic can reduce that and your ad-dependency. So here’s how to attract more website visitors cost-effectively.

First though, if your site isn’t attracting many visitors, you need to understand what’s going wrong.

What Website Visitors Really Want

Look at your site. What does it do? Well, it exists — and should provide a way for people to get in touch with you, at least.

That’s pretty much all most bots and people who want to sell to you will need.… Read the rest “How to Attract More Website Visitors”

Why Cheap Web Designers Often Disappear

by | Jan 21, 2025 | , ,

Cheap web designer disappearing

Cheap web designer disappearing

Everyone loves cheap web design — until they learn that it takes far more than low prices and fancy graphics to build a business website that works. That can be a hard lesson about cheap web design risks, but it often gets worse. Because cheap web designers often disappear.

This can be a touchy subject though, so let’s be clear: most experienced web designers I know are talented people who only want to help. That said, experienced web designers are rarely cheap web designers.

Still, I have just spoken to yet another distressed small business owner. His cheap web designer had left him in the lurch with a broken website and no access to fix it.

Other business owners had told him this was “typical” of “flaky” designers.… Read the rest “Why Cheap Web Designers Often Disappear”

6 Top Marketing Trends for 2025

by | Nov 4, 2024 | , ,

Marketing trends matter

Marketing trends matter

With 2025 fast approaching, the question on every small business’s mind is “How can I better prepare for the new year?” Taking advantage of the latest trends is an effective way to grow your business and reach a wider audience. So here are a few of the top marketing trends that you need to consider.

1. Content Is Still King

The growth of ad blockers has made traditional advertising tougher for small businesses. Paid ads simply aren’t as effective any more. It’s also a slow and passive form of marketing that you have little control over.

In any case, customers generally prefer to buy from people they know, like and trust. So even without an ad blocker, most people are pretty good at ignoring anything that looks like a traditional paid ad.… Read the rest “6 Top Marketing Trends for 2025”

Organic SEO vs. Paid Ads – Which Is Better for Small Businesses?

by | Oct 14, 2024 | , ,

Organic SEO vs PPC

Organic SEO vs PPC – which is best?

Small businesses constantly seek ways to stand out and attract more eyes to their services or products. One crucial decision they face is choosing between organic Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and paid advertising strategies — specifically Pay-Per-Click (PPC) ads — to drive traffic and enhance online presence. So which is best?

The Importance of SEO and PPC

In an era where most consumers turn to search engines for their queries, having an effective web presence can make or break a small business. Through organic SEO, businesses climb the ranks of search results, establishing credibility and creating lasting value. On the other hand, paid ads offer immediate visibility and can quickly funnel potential customers to your offerings.… Read the rest “Organic SEO vs. Paid Ads – Which Is Better for Small Businesses?”

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5.0 from 32 reviews
Ratings and reviews
  • 5.0 from 32 reviews
  • 12-08-2024

    Dr Prashant Murugkar

    Pete is an amazing human and the ultimate expert. He does not sell for selling sake and gives honest advice all through. He has taken my website from strength to strength till it comes up high on the organic listings. I whole heartedly recommend Netcentrics for anyone wanting website related advice, thanks Pete :-) best wishes Dr Prashant Murugkar

  • 08-03-2024

    Alison Rider-Hill

    Pete has been patience personified, helping me to navigate a website I inherited for an event I am responsible for. But for him I would probably have broken the back end repeatedly.

  • 14-12-2023

    Ivan Caric

    Pete has been incredibly helpful and supportive, above and beyond what was required. We're a tiny business, and from helping with the initial web design to SEO advice and inevitable tweaks and changes as the business develops, Pete has been patient and full of sage advice. We cannot recommend him more highly!

  • 24-05-2023

    Dave M.

    Thanks, Pete! Since you updated my site, business has gone crazy – I now have more work than I know what to do with!

  • 04-04-2023

    Mark R

    I use Netcentrics for all my business needs. Always a professional, super-prompt and to date flawless service. Excellent.

  • 02-03-2023

    Ceri E

    A fantastic service! We are a small business just starting out with a new venture. Pete at Netcentrics has gone above and beyond to provide us with not only a fantastic website, but also invaluable business and marketing advice. The whole process has been incredibly positive and beyond what we expected compared to previous experiences. He is incredibly knowledgeable and supportive. His support did not stop at the end of the website build, he has continued to make himself available ensuring that we know how to maximise use of the website for our start up. We wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Pete to anyone.

  • 18-11-2022

    Janet L

    Thanks, Pete — your advice is like gold dust!

  • 21-08-2022

    Barbara H

    Oh my goodness, thank you so much! In over 20 years of online retailing this is the best and most comprehensive bit of help I've ever had relating to the dreaded SEO. I really appreciate it - many thanks again

  • 07-11-2021

    Sam G.

    You’re amazing — highly recommended!

  • 16-06-2021

    Abid Hussain

    Amazing service. Professional and outstanding company to deal with. Pete has great understanding with online requirements and core issue's. Spent hours on the telephone explaining and working on the website to bring it up-to-date. Noting but gratitude and respect to Netcentric. Highly recommend to any one through my experience they have gone above and beyond.

  • 15-05-2021

    SakineO-1

    Pete is the most professional and knowledgeable web developer I have experienced since 2016 as I have had many since. You won’t regret. I highly recommend him.

  • 15-05-2021

    Songul Yucel

    Pete is a professional and very helpful. I needed an online booking system for my driving school. He completed the job as promised. He is very easy to work with. I can t be any happier. I will in touch again if I need help in the future. Thank you Pete!! It has been pleasure working with you !

  • 05-10-2020

    Paul Mercer

  • 26-08-2020

    Susan Baynham-Evans

    Peter expertise is exactly what I needed . When I have ideas Pete makes them work. I could not run my website without him

  • 09-07-2020

    Emma Cunliffe

    Can't recommend him highly enough. He was extremely professional, laid out exactly what we needed to do and his role within that, setting expectations all round very clearly, and working within our budgetary constraints to set clear boundaries. He was extremely prompt and punctual in his responses and work. He was also extremely patient with his recommendations and explanations, which were clear and simple to follow. Excellent value for us as a charity. We're very grateful to him - he was a real pleasure to work with.

  • 05-06-2020

    Graham Smith

    knowledgeable and professional service designing and building a website for a local SME business.

  • 05-06-2020

    Keary Birch

    Very helpful staff who really understood the problem and dealt with it.

  • 05-06-2020

    Ali van Dam

    First rate! Knowledgeable, professional and creative. I would absolutely use Netcentrics again for future projects.

  • 05-06-2020

    Barbara Harris

    Amazing, professional service and speedy communications. Very impressed and highly recommended.

  • 05-06-2020

    JWComp Sol

    Netcentrics designed, implemented and have maintained our company website for many years.If you want a secure and reliable website I strongly recommend Netcentrics.

  • 21-12-2019

    Alison van Dam

    I can’t say enough good things about Netcentrics.co.uk - thorough, knowledgeable, dedicated and innovative. Highly recommended.

  • 05-12-2019

    Helen Rich

    Very pleased with my new e-commerce site from Netcentrics. Very professional, knowledgeable, and highly recommended.

  • 05-06-2019

    Mark Davies

    I have been using Netcentrics' SEO service and they have impressively managed to get over 250 of my keywords onto the first page of the search results. A very friendly and thoroughly professional service. Highly recommended.

  • 05-06-2018

    andrew cocchiara

    Many thank's Pete for all your advice and expertise over the years. A first class professional service and excellent value for money.

  • 15-03-2018

    Tim D

    Just saw that my site is now in 2nd place on the first page of Google. I’m not sure what you have done, nor do I understand it, but it worked! Many thanks!

  • 24-02-2018

    Paul G

    It is a pleasure dealing with a professional with a high degree of technical skill allied to a ‘can do’ positive attitude. Your ability to explain technical concepts in layman’s language is also a great advantage. I would have no hesitation in recommending your services.

  • 03-01-2018

    Lisa

    Excellent and professional work from beginning to end. Pete was open to ideas and able to make suggestions on how to develop my site.

  • 05-06-2017

    Ian A

    Fast, friendly, efficient service that exceeded the spec and made a complicated job hassle free for me. Five stars, would highly recommend and would happily employ again for all things web and internet based.

  • 05-06-2017

    Mo Rich

    A flourishing web designer, who is thorough and meticulous in everything he does. Will create a great looking unique and professional website particular to your needs.

  • 14-09-2016

    Ian A

    Pete is one of the most creative, reliable, competent and ingenious people it has ever been my very great pleasure to work with. There is no problem he can’t find an ingenious and unexpected way out of, and he has a work ethic you could bend horseshoes around. I cannot recommend him highly enough for his breadth and depth of knowledge and his total commitment to whichever project he is currently undertaking.

  • 31-05-2015

    Jayne H

    DogLost is the UK’s largest community of pet owners and rescuers. Other developers have struggled to meet our needs, but since Peter rebuilt our site and support systems we have gone from strength to strength, winning major awards including the 2013 Innovation Award from the International Fund for Animal Welfare. We couldn’t have done that without him.

  • 19-11-2013

    Codyspetdeli

    Cody's Pet Deli is an online business that sells pet food & accessories. Approaching Pete to set up a new website was the best move I have made. We wanted a system that was easy to navigate and look good when customers shop online.Pete made the whole process simple and dealing with him was a great pleasure. He can't do enough to help and solve any problem that may arise. I would highly recommend Pete for his experience and knowledge and total dedication to see the project through to final conclusion.Steve H.