Small business secrets...

As someone who keeps one ear to the ground in the small business industry, I’ve recently heard a lot of noise about small business solution provider NumberFour. The company most recently hit the headlines after securing $38m in investments, despite apparently having no product or customers.

Tonight is the grand finale of the BBC’s popular business ‘reality’ show, The Apprentice. Young entrepreneurs have battled through weeks of tasks for the chance to win a £250,000 investment for a new business venture, and it’s now a showdown between the two finalists, Luisa Zissman and Leah Totton. Now in its ninth year, Alan Sugar’s show is one of the channel’s biggest hits.

You’re probably aware that a Facebook page can benefit your small business, but did you know the social network is currently rolling out a new feature that could bring more customers to your business?

Despite the fact we’re all so familiar with the web, the price of website design still remains a mystery to many people. In fact, when we ran a poll on the subject recently, the results surprised us. Over a third of respondents said they thought a professional website would cost them over £500, and 13% of them would expect to pay £1,000 or more.

When running a small business, it’s important to keep track of which tactics are working and which aren't, so you can adjust your approach accordingly. This seems like common business sense, so I was surprised to read recently that only 25% of small businesses keep track of analytics on their websites.

We have a wide range of business customers using our website builder, but it was certainly a first when a six-year-old signed up to our free service and built a website this weekend.

Too often, businesses create their website as if it’s an online advert, only designed to drum up business. In reality, a website can be much more than a marketing tool, it can help you run your business more efficiently, and help you save money. Why waste money on hiring or outsourcing for your company’s admin, when it can all be done simply and securely via your website?

I was interested to read about entrepreneur and ex Dragons’ Den star James Caan in the news this week. The new government-appointed social mobility tsar is accused of hypocrisy, after it emerged both his daughters are employed in businesses connected to him.

When you decided to create a business website, you probably did so with the intention of bringing in new customers. Of course, a good website will attract new people to your business, but it’s important to remember those who got you where you are today - your loyal customers.