Business growth

With 60% of British adults having an Instagram account and 80% of those following at least one business on the platform, it makes sense for small businesses to make use of this social network to benefit their bottom lines. Making your mark on social media isn’t always easy though, as so many businesses use the platforms to compete for consumer attention - but the good news is there are tactics you can use to up your follower numbers, boost engagement, and improve your reach.

In an increasingly online world, it's important you try to get your customers to trust your brand over your competitor’s. Modern shoppers are different from the consumers of yesteryear and today they can easily do a bit of digging about a brand before parting with their hard-earned cash. In fact, many of them do, with research showing 61% of consumers will browse online reviews before completing a purchase.

Marketing your retail business is one of the most important things you’ll do as a business owner, after all, it’s what ultimately brings customers through your door and any business owner knows the more of those you can get the better. But, before we take you through our six winning strategies for marketing your business, let us first say a big congratulations! Starting your own business and turning your vision into a reality is one of the most rewarding jobs in the world, but we don’t need to tell you it can be challenging too, so now you’ve reached this point you deserve an almighty pat on the back.

There are social media platforms for every niche and interest nowadays. From the big four of Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and YouTube to newer platforms like TikTok and Twitch, businesses have more opportunities than ever before to reach consumers with their message. Take Shein, for example. The online retailer has built a massive following on Instagram by sharing images of their products in action, often using influencers to promote them. Fenty Beauty took a similar approach on Snapchat, using short video clips to show off their products in use. And Dollar Shave Club built an empire by creating hilarious videos that went viral on YouTube.

As more and more people seek to become self-employed, payments on accounts are becoming the norm for many. But, if you’re a small business owner submitting a Self Assessment tax return, knowing where to begin can be confusing if your business is only just finding its feet.