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Marketing essentials

How to create a marketing plan for your small business - build a brand, target customers and set prices that will maximise sales.

Online marketing

The internet has transformed business marketing. No matter what you do, the internet is likely to be at the heart of your marketing strategy.

Social media

Social media is firmly established as a marketing tool. Having a presence opens up new lines of communication with existing and potential customers.

Advertising

Good advertising puts the right marketing message in front of the right people at the right time, raising awareness of your business.

Customer care

Customer care is at the heart of all successful companies. It can help you develop customer loyalty and improve relationships with your customers.

Sales

Sales bring in the money that enables your business to survive and grow. Your sales strategy will be driven by your sales objectives.

Market research

Market research exists to guide your business decisions by giving you insight into your market, competitors, products, marketing and your customers.

PR and promotion

Exhibitions and events are valuable for businesses because they allow face-to-face communication and offer opportunities for networking.

Sector trends

What particular trends are affecting specific types of business (such as a hotel, or a printer, or a taxi firm)? We explain some of the key trends for 200 types of business.

Resource topics

15 results shown

Management consultant sector trends

This trends summary explains how the management consultancy sector has become increasingly important but is affected by the state of the economy.

Courier service sector trends

This trends summary explains how the courier delivery service sector has changed. Internet shopping has turned it into a huge sector.

Contract cleaner sector trends

This trends summary explains that demand for contract cleaning services has grown steadily. But competition is intense as there are so many small businesses, often operating from home. This has kept rates low.

Bookkeeper sector trends

This trends summary explains that because businesses are required by law to keep records of their financial transactions there is always a demand for the book-keeper's services. However, it is broadly connected to the economy.

Accountant sector trends

This trends summary explains that demand for accountancy services is affected by the health or otherwise of the economy - during times of recession many clients become bankrupt and survivors reduce the amount they spend on accountancy services to a minimum.

Windscreen services sector trends

This trends summary explains that more cars on the road creates a large and steady demand for the windscreen service sector.

Used car dealer sector trends

This trends summary explains developments in the used car sales sector, such as connections to the economy and new legislation.

Tyre fitter sector trends

This trends summary explains that the tyre fitting sector suffers from increased competition, but the demand for tyres remains high.

Motorcycle dealership sector trends

This trends summary explains that the motorcycle dealer sector is broadly connected to the economy.

Motor dealer sector trends

This trends summary explains the changes in the motor industry, changes that are broadly linked to the economy.

Car valeter sector trends

This trends summary explains that the amount of money that people spend on their cars is linked to the state of the economy.

Garage sector trends

This trends summary explains that there have been many casualties in the petrol retailing sector as a result of intense competition and very low margins on fuel sales.

Classic car restorer sector trends

This trends summary explains how classic car values (especially sports cars) dictate whether it is financially worthwhile to rebuild badly deteriorated vehicles, but in general there is steady demand for restoration and repair services.

Car repairer sector trends

Despite the large number of vehicles on the road, the car repair sector as a whole has not had an easy time. Demand for repairs continues to fall with the improved reliability of new cars and many motorists choose to skip scheduled services and ignore minor damage to their vehicles in order to save money.

Car parts shop sector trends

This trends summary explains that the demand for items to customise or individualise cars remains strong whereas DIY servicing has declined.