Preston entrepreneur helps local businesses beat the big brands
When Neil Anderson (57) from Preston was made redundant in June last year, he decided to make it an opportunity to channel his IT skills into helping local businesses tap into the power of the internet.
Neil had worked for more than 17 years in IT and systems support for large retail groups in Manchester and wanted to utilise those skills in a new career. When he came across ORCA, a national franchise operation delivering quality, affordable websites for small to medium sized businesses, it seemed the ideal opportunity. Neil comments:
“I had always wanted to start my own business and coming from an IT background I knew this was where my strengths were, so taking on the Preston base for ORCA’s national operation was a perfect fit.
“I knew what systems and technologies a website company would need to offer my customers to create a perfect website package for them and ORCA do that – and from a UK base, enabling us to provide hands-on support, unlike similar companies whose IT support centres are in Asia and South America.
“ORCA’s ethos is also impressive. There is no hard sell – something which is replicated through their franchisees. We don’t badger potential clients, instead we work with them to create a package and solution, which meets their needs.”
Neil launched the business at the end of 2007 and so far business is booming. “I’ve already signed up several new clients and I’m now working with a host of other local businesses to deliver a solution, which will support and benefit their businesses.
“We don’t offer a one-size fits all approach. Instead I work with local businesses to identify what they want to achieve through their website and what they expect it to deliver. Never do we tell our clients what website they should have. Each one is bespoke and unique to the client.”
It’s not just Neil who is developing his business; his wife Janet also plays an active part. He comments: “My wife is very supportive and she often brings new business leads into me. Just the other day she commented about how great it would be to browse a shop’s merchandise on-line. I took this piece of customer feedback to the manager and we are now working at creating a website solution for the business.”
Neil is now sourcing and meeting businesses across Preston who are persuaded that the time might have come to look further into the web, with a view to creating or upgrading their online presence. He is the interface between the client and ORCA’s “factory” in Leeds, briefing its central team of experienced designers to produce hard-working websites which reflect the unique position of each client. He adds:
“Smaller retailers and service providers are facing mounting pressure from chains and out-of-town shopping centres. But over 22 million people use the web every month in the UK, searching for information about goods and services. Over £50 billion was spent online last year. A professional online presence is fast proving to be the small business’ savior. Traders and manufacturers are also starting to recognise the power of the internet as a prime source of business.
“Perceptions are that branded, quality websites which rank high on the search engines must cost a fortune, but as the ORCA concept was built with small businesses in mind, we empathise with their needs. Most small firms have to work within very tight budgetary restraints in marketing their products and services, especially at start-up. Our websites have to be (and are) affordable for them.
“And even then, we offer them the opportunity to spread the cost of that relatively modest investment over six months. By about month three if they’re selling online, they’re usually in the money; a good website can pay for itself in new business generated in a matter of weeks.
“Business owners I’m speaking to are gobsmacked at the quality of the sites we’re creating for them. The outcomes of their investment are measurable, and they provide an invaluable source of management information. They also optimize any other marketing spend, as potential customers can be steered to the site to find out more.”
ORCA is a national franchise operation, dedicated to providing quality, affordable websites for small and medium-sized businesses across the UK. Any local businesses who want to find out more should contact Neil Anderson at ORCA Websites on 0845 270 1128 or click the Request Information button below.
