Free Online MOT for Lincolnshire Businesses
News Release
2nd October 2012
The Internet offers a wealth of opportunities for businesses to boost their bottom line, but many companies may be failing to communicate with their target market effectively online.
To help tackle this problem, Lincolnshire County Council’s onlincolnshire project is offering a free website and social media review to companies in the county.
Tim Wilson from Kind of Digital who are providing business support for onlincolnshire, explained: “This is a completely free service and a great opportunity for firms to make sure their website and social media profiles are fit for purpose.
“Our reports will highlight any existing issues and provide tips on how to make your digital presence even better. In the majority of cases there are simple things businesses can do which don’t cost a lot of money but just take time and effort.
“These include rewriting the website content, starting a blog or spending more time engaging with existing and potential customers on Facebook and Twitter.”
This service is part of a package of free business support which is available to small and medium enterprises in East Lindsey, Boston and Lincoln.
Cllr Kelly Smith, Executive Member for Finance and HR at Lincolnshire County Council, explained: “As part of the onlincolnshire campaign, Lincolnshire County Council applied for funding from the European Regeneration and Development Fund (ERDF) to help businesses in these three priority locations.
“The money we received is being used to help fund a programme of activities aimed at helping businesses in these areas understand the benefits that the internet and digital technology can provide and to help them get ready for superfast broadband when it arrives.
“One of the ways we’re doing this is by offering free one-to-one advice for small and medium sized businesses. Our experts have already helped a number of companies on the road towards a more prosperous future by not only advising them on how to make the most of digital technologies but by looking at the whole business.”
Tim added: “The website and social media review is just the first step. Once we’ve done the review we’d really like to work more closely with the company and help them identify further opportunities for growth.”
To take advantage of the free website and social media review, interested businesses should register on the digitalLincs website www.digitallincs.com and complete an online form.
They will then receive a report explaining in simple, plain English what improvements could be made and be invited to discuss the issues further either face-to-face or over the phone.
Once they have registered on the site they can also receive e-newsletters featuring practical tips on running a successful business, be invited to free workshops and events and have the opportunity to network with other like-minded professionals.
Ends
Notes to Editors:
- This activity is part-funded by the East Midlands European Regional Development Fund Programme 2007 to 2013 and is part of the £57 million council-led onlincolnshire project which aims to provide broadband speeds of at least 24 Megabits per second (Mbps) for 90% of homes and businesses in the county, and a guaranteed 2Mpbs for the remaining premises by 2015.
- Some Internet users in rural Lincolnshire experience speeds of less than 1 Mbps. The UK’s average broadband speed is 7.6 Mbps, according to Ofcom.
- The Department for Communities and Local Government is the managing authority for the European Regional Development Fund Programme, which is one of the funds established by the European Commission to help local areas stimulate their economic development by investing in projects which will support local businesses and create jobs. For more information visit www.communities.gov.uk/erdf
- For more information visit www.onlincolnshire.org
Kate Strawson
Shooting Star PR
01522 528540
kate@shootingstar-pr.co.uk
www.shootingstar-pr.co.uk
t: @shootingstarpr
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