Business

DIGITAL MARKETING: Ready To Transform?

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Your 3 Stage Process to Dominate Local Search & Skyrocket Your Online Presence.

Want to outshine competitors and attract more customers? Here’s the marketing philosophy I swear by:

1. MAXIMIZE Your Google Business Profile.
Your Google Business Page is a goldmine for local visibility. Optimise it with:

– High-quality photos + keyword-rich descriptions.
– Regular posts (offers, updates, guides).
– Authentic reviews + swift responses.

Result? Top-of-map local search rankings and instant trusted credibility.

2. AUDIT & FIX Website Gaps
A broken site = lost revenue. Dive into:

– Technical SEO (speed, mobile optimization).
– User experience (navigation, CTAs).
– Content gaps (missing FAQs, service pages).

Result? Higher conversions and happier visitors.

3. PUBLISH Industry-Relevant SEO Content
Google rewards fresh, valuable content. Prioritise:

-Blog posts answering local customer questions & industry updates.
– Specific landing pages.
– Data-driven updates (review stats, adapt to trends).

Result? Long-term traffic + authority in your niche.

Why This Works
– Boost organic (free) traffic by 50%+ (or more!).
– Convert casual searchers into loyal clients.
– Stay ahead of algorithm shifts.

Ready to Transform with *SCC* AUDIT – FIX – MAXIMISE?

** You’ve read this far… I’m betting you are too busy to spend the required time to make a difference marketing your business? Contact me, let’s work that out.

DIGITAL MARKETING: Why Apps Should Be On Your Radar

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Mobile Apps and why in 2025 they should be on your marketing radar. 

Here are some real-life examples of brands successfully using mobile apps for customer retention:

✅ Starbucks: The Starbucks app integrates a loyalty program, personalised offers, and mobile payments. It accounts for 21% of Starbucks transactions, showcasing its effectiveness in driving repeat purchases and customer engagement.

✅ IKEA: The IKEA Place app uses augmented reality (AR) to let customers visualise furniture in their homes before purchasing. This innovative approach has increased user engagement and boosted IKEA’s monthly active users globally.

✅ Pepsi: The Pepsi Super Bowl Halftime Show app offered exclusive content, rewards, and behind-the-scenes footage, creating a 360-degree experience that kept fans engaged long after the event.

✅ Nike: Nike’s apps provide personalised workout plans and progress tracking, fostering long-term engagement with fitness enthusiasts.

These brands demonstrate how mobile apps can enhance convenience, personalisation, and interactivity to build lasting customer relationships.

You can also occupy the same real estate by placing your Mobile App on your customer’s home screen leveraging the curiosity of users checking their phone each time it pings.

Please contact me to discuss how a Mobile Phone App could transform your business and level the playing field!

DIGITAL MARKETING: App Retention Success

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In my previous post I described the industries that benefit most from Mobile Phone Apps. Here’s how they contribute to retention in different sectors.

➡️ Retail and E-commerce: Apps allow seamless shopping experiences, personalised recommendations, and exclusive deals. Studies show app users spend 37% more and buy 33% more frequently than non-app users, driving loyalty and repeat purchases.

➡️ Food and Hospitality: Apps like Starbucks Rewards use loyalty programs to incentivise repeat visits. Features such as easy ordering, rewards tracking, and personalised offers create strong customer connections.

➡️ Finance: Mobile banking apps provide convenience through 24/7 access to services, reducing friction in transactions and increasing customer satisfaction.

➡️ Healthcare: Apps enable appointment scheduling, tele-health, and personalised health tracking, improving patient engagement and retention.

➡️ Fitness and Lifestyle: Brands like Nike use apps to offer tailored workout plans and progress tracking, fostering long-term user engagement.

Key features like push notifications, personalised content, and loyalty programs make apps indispensable for retaining customers across industries.

Mobile apps significantly impact customer retention across various industries by enhancing engagement, personalisation, and convenience.

Would your business benefit from an App? Would you like to know more?

Please contact me to start the conversation.

DIGITAL MARKETING: Industry Specific App Benefits

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Are you in an industry where it’s highly beneficial to invest in a Mobile Phone App?

Mobile phone apps are designed to engage and retain customers reliant on digital platforms and consumer demand for convenience. Industry specific benefits include;

➡️ Finance and Insurance: These industries use apps for customer retention, self-service options, paperless statements, and cross-selling. Mobile apps significantly enhance customer engagement and reduce costs.

➡️ Healthcare: Apps streamline processes like patient registration, health tracking, tele-health services and access to medical data. They also improve patient experience with features like appointment scheduling and lab result tracking.

➡️ Retail and E-commerce: Apps enable seamless shopping experiences, exclusive offers, and personalised recommendations, driving higher customer satisfaction and revenue.

➡️ Food Delivery and Hospitality: Apps for ordering food or booking accommodations have seen massive growth due to convenience and increasing demand.

➡️ Travel and Tourism: Travel apps simplify booking flights, hotels, and tours while offering deals, enhancing user experience.

➡️ Other notable sectors include; Education, Entertainment, Logistics, and IT services.

Mobile apps are essential tools for businesses aiming to stay competitive in the digital age.

With an effective Mobile Phone App you can compete with major companies deploying far greater budgets.

Do you react to a ping on your phone? Or constantly remove the numbers on each app to keep your home screen tidy? Do you delete emails without reading them?

You get the point.

Please contact me to discuss Apps or any Digital Marketing business development.

My next post will detail typical uplift in engagement and sales turnover.

DIGITAL MARKETING: Free Website Audit

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Free Comprehensive Website & Digital Marketing Audit.

Discover hidden opportunities and unlock your online potential with a free, no obligation digital analysis.

Myself and team will evaluate your website performance, SEO ranking, content strategy, and social media presence to identify the critical gaps and untapped growth channels.

You will receive actionable insights and recommendations across all your digital channels delivered in a clear, prioritised report.

Take the first step toward digital excellence and greater profit today – your competitors already have.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Please contact me and let’s work together.

DIGITAL MARKETING: Simple Organic Marketing Strategy

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A Simple & Affordable Path to Better Organic Search Rankings.

Many website owners look for shortcuts to boost their Google rankings, but after years of experimenting, I’ve found that patience and quality always win. Here’s a simple approach that consistently delivers results:

– Create high-quality, well-structured content that genuinely addresses user needs and questions.

– Regularly update existing content to maintain accuracy and relevance (Google loves fresh content!).

– Focus exclusively on educational content that provides real value to your audience.

– Strategically publish new content that complements your existing information and expands your topical reach.

While it takes time to build authority, this approach creates a solid foundation that algorithms reward with better rankings. No shortcuts, just consistent value delivery that both users and search engines appreciate.

What sustainable organic SEO strategies have worked best for you?

For any readers who would rather concentrate on their businesses, I’m here to assist with all of the above.

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Originally published on LinkedIn. Steve Coulter is an experienced SME business owner since 1987, digital marketing consultant and content creative. Tech-savvy early adopter now helping businesses evolve & grow.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​ Contact me today.

 

DIGITAL MARKETING: The Elephant In The Room

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Can we talk about the elephant in the room?  

An elephant in the room.

Working with Digital Marketing Agencies can feel like a roller coaster, starting with high hopes but soon hitting a dip. As a former business consumer of digital products as well as a nowadays provider, I feel your pain.

Truth 💣 Most companies hit serious jams with their suppliers. You know the story; costs out of nowhere, amendments ongoing weeks later, and updates somewhere between no hope and Bob Hope.

Don’t get me started on generic websites that could belong to anyone and miss your brand style and the best bits.

Then when you’re live, your website supplier entered witness protection and disappeared to Costa Rica.

Here’s where myself and team are different:

First of all you can contact me personally for an informal free initial consultation. WhatsApp me your domain and any other pertinent marketing links and I’ll give it a 3.5 decade expert and experienced once over.

Then once we have decided upon a plan, we believe in keeping it real with clear agreed in advance pricing you can budget for. Timelines and prices that don’t make you laugh (or cry), myself or team will remain in touch during and afterwards.

So if you’re website is tired, needs some new relevant SEO optimised content or an update with no dramas. Please contact me and let’s chat.

—-

Experienced SME business owner since 1987, digital marketing consultant and content creative. Tech-savvy early adopter now helping businesses evolve & grow.

DIGITAL MARKETING: 10 Off-Site SEO Hacks

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Off-site SEO is not just those backlinks random people offer to sell you in unsolicited e-mails, nor does it need to be a mystery. Here’s some simple and effective off-site SEO ideas that can deliver relatively quick results. Pick and mix!

1. Guest Blogging on High-Authority Sites

Publish content on established websites in your industry. This provides backlinks from trusted domains and exposes your brand to new audiences.

Target the more receptive mid-tier industry blogs and create genuinely valuable content that addresses their audience’s needs. Include one or two natural links back to relevant pages on your site.

2. Build Relationships with Influencers

Connect with industry influencers who can amplify your content and lend credibility to your brand.

Start engaging authentically on their social channels, share their content, and offer genuine value before asking for anything. Small influencers (micro-influencers) often provide better engagement rates and are easier to connect with.

3. Create and Share Infographics

Design shareable infographics that visualise interesting data or concepts in your industry.

Use tools like Canva to create an infographic around trending topics or evergreen information, then share it on social media and your own off-site weblogs linking back to your site. There are Infographic Specialists you can contact to create more sophisticated designs.

4. Participate in Relevant Online Communities

Become an active, helpful member in forums, LinkedIn, Quora, Reddit, or industry-specific communities.

Find questions you can answer expertly, provide thorough responses, and include links to your content only when directly relevant. Build reputation first, then leverage it for visibility.

5. Leverage Local SEO and Business Directories

Ensure your business is listed consistently across major directories and review sites.

Claim and optimise your Google Business Profile, then systematically add your business to top directories like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and industry-specific listings. Ensure NAP (Name, Address, Phone) consistency across all platforms.

6. Repurpose Content Across Platforms

Transform your existing content into different formats to reach wider audiences.

Turn a popular blog post into a YouTube video, SlideShare presentation, or podcast episode. Each new format creates opportunities for different backlink sources and audience exposure.

7. Build Strategic Partnerships

Collaborate with complementary (non-competing) businesses in your industry for mutual promotion.

Identify potential partners and propose content swaps, joint webinars, or co-created resources. This can quickly expand your reach to pre-qualified audiences.

8. Leverage Social Proof and Testimonials

Showcase client success stories and testimonials on third-party platforms.

Request satisfied customers to leave reviews on Google, industry review sites, or testimonials you can share. Then amplify these positive experiences through case studies that others in the industry might link to.

9. Create Skyscraper Content and Strategic Outreach

Research top-performing content in your niche, then create something significantly better – more comprehensive, up-to-date, and visually appealing.

Use tools like Semrush to find content with lots of backlinks, improve upon it, then reach out to sites currently linking to the original piece, showing them your superior version.

10. Create Your Own Industry Weblogs 

Create and maintain with regular updates independent weblogs relevant to your own industry. These evergreen resources will direct visitors to your site for yours to come.

Publish the kind of information people are searching for in longer form content than your own website. Use Google search and look at the search term suggestions to inspire content. Also, these are great for long-tail keywords.

Quick Tip: Rather than trying all strategies at once, pick 2-3 that align best with your resources and industry, then execute them thoroughly before moving on to others. Track results to see which approaches work best for your specific situation.

I can help with any of your digital marketing solutions, please contact me. 

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Steve Coulter is an experienced SME business owner since 1987. Digital marketing consultant and content creative. Tech-savvy early adopter now helping businesses evolve & grow.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Originally published on LinkedIn.

 

 

COMMENTARY: How To Avoid Area 14 Syndrome

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SME Business Owners: How To Avoid Area 14 Syndrome.

During the Nineties I managed car sales at a franchised car dealership. We were savvy negotiating targets with all suppliers, as a consequence with application, quality of service & great local marketing, our team hit higher target bands to maximise the bonuses. However, I specifically avoided those conversations with other managers & owners who complained about everything; the franchise, their target, local activity and how everything was so difficult. Not so easy in an era of telephone negotiated dealer stock swaps for sold orders, but we had a great team & I didn’t make all the calls. When we hit 140% of sales target AKA the big bucks while the majority were on 90% I named it ‘Area 14 Syndrome’.

I’m talking about this because right now it’s so easy to talk the economy and business down. The news, OMG it’s so negative. Either the national or international news, or on social media. There’s never been a time like it. Twenty four hours. Relentless.

So, it’s incumbent on you and I as business owners and managers to be self-starters and move the dial, because nobody is going to do it for us.

First up, for example; let’s try not to let the seemingly arbitrary new Trump Tariffs affect our mood, conversation, or how we perceive our own business is going to alter as a result. The US Dollar has strengthened against the Great British Pound blah blah blah.. There’s a thousand outcomes, they’re not all bad.

Secondly, the government has a big job rebooting a U.K. economy that’s flat and dominated by major corporations and monopolies. How do you motivate businesses already making £Billions to sell more? But we’re not thinking about them.

In 2025, a vital foundation for your company is an effective, reliable website. Take a look at yours and check how well it represents your business, attracts sales and addresses the typical problems you might need to overcome such as;

Communicating your capabilities
Generating leads
Specialist recruitment
Building trust
Managing complex sales and manufacturing cycles
Differentiating your business from competitors
Adopting new technologies
Supply chain communication
After-sales support and technical documentation
Expansion into new markets and translation.

These are just a few of the typical problems SME sized businesses in industry need to overcome. You could do worse in February to audit your business website to see which of those require attention, the last time they were altered, or indeed any others you can think of. What will make you more profit?

If my ‘Half Full Essay’ resonates and you would like to work with an enthusiastic Digital Marketing supplier then please contact me, I’ve a great team for any project.

DIGITAL MARKETING: Why You Need A WordPress Website

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Why Your Business Needs a WordPress Website: Here’s 10 Compelling Reasons to Invest. 

Are you running a small or medium-sized business without a proper website? Or indeed a dated or broken one? You’re leaving money on the table. WordPress powers over 43% of all websites on the internet, and there’s a good reason for that. Here’s why your business should invest in an affordable WordPress website from Team SCC today.

1. Cost-Effective Solution

WordPress from Team SCC offers professional-looking templates and themes at a very affordable cost. In addition to your website you only need to pay a nominal amount for hosting, a great domain name, and occasionally premium themes or plugins.

2. Easy to Update Without Technical Skills

Remember the days of calling your web developer for every small change? WordPress puts you in control. The user-friendly dashboard lets you update content, add images, and publish blog posts as easily as using Microsoft Word. Your team can handle it without any coding knowledge. Of course Team SCC are here in reserve!

3. Mobile-Ready Out of the Box

Your customers are on their phones – your website needs to be too. Modern WordPress themes automatically adjust to any screen size, whether it’s a smartphone, tablet, or desktop. No extra work needed on your part. Dynamic Websites R Us!

4. Built-In SEO Features

Getting found on Google is vital for business growth. WordPress comes with built-in SEO features and can be enhanced with powerful plugins. Better search rankings mean more customers finding your business naturally. So, it pays for itself.

5. Scalable as Your Business Grows

Starting small? Low budget? No problem. WordPress grows with you. Add new features, pages, or even an online store when you’re ready. Major brands like The Walt Disney Company and Sony Music use WordPress – it’s that scalable. We build great e-commerce websites using WP.

6. Extensive Plugin Marketplace

Need a contact form? Want to add social media feeds? Looking to start email marketing? There’s a plugin for everything. WordPress’s plugin directory has over 59,000 free options to extend your website’s functionality.

7. Security and Regular Updates

WordPress is actively maintained by thousands of developers worldwide. Regular security updates keep your website safe from cyber threats. With basic security plugins and good hosting, your site stays protected.

8. Built-In Blog Platform

Content marketing drives sales, and WordPress started as a blogging platform. I was there! Share your expertise, announce new products, or keep customers updated – all from the same dashboard you use to manage your website.

9. Support from Team SCC

Team SCC is ready to help if your site is malfunctioning or there is an upgrade you need, or an update you’re uncertain about.

10. Integration with Business Tools

Connect your website with the tools you already use. WordPress plays nice with everything from payment processors and CRM systems to social media platforms and email marketing services. We can help here too.

Take Action Today

Don’t let your competition get ahead. Setting up a WordPress website with Team SCC is easier than you think:

1. We can recommend a reliable and sustainable hosting provider

2. Select a great domain name and a professional theme that suits your brand

3. Install the essential plugins

4. Add SEO & CAI* optimised content

5. Press Go!

Your business deserves a strong online presence, and WordPress & Team SCC makes it possible without breaking the bank.

Your future customers are searching online right now. Make sure they find you with a professional website.

Call or message me to get started.

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Steve Coulter the principal at SCC is a Sales & Marketing expert, consultant & creative with 35+ years in senior leadership & entrepreneurship, primarily in automotive & e-commerce. A tech-savvy early adopter helping businesses evolve & grow.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

*CAI is Conversational AI – the searchable content of the future. 

ADVERT: Big Results, Small Budget

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Digital marketing advert for Steve Coulter Creative February 2025

Big Results, Small Budget: Digital Marketing That Doesn’t Break the Bank.

Small & medium sized businesses often feel like David facing Goliath. Out of reach advertising & marketing agencies working for larger businesses with greater budgets make competing and growth for you seem impossible.

But what if you could unlock powerful digital strategies without emptying your business account?

From a Tight Budget to a Towering & Enduring Success…

✓ Research – Always aim to understand your business, philosophy, products and competition before creating anything.
✓ Transparent – Agreed pricing with no hidden fees.
✓ Communication – No jargon just simple updates.
✓ Affordable – Ensuring value for money.
✓ ROI – Creating highly effective digital marketing that reflects your brand.

Contact me today and let’s work together to grow your business.

—

Sales & marketing consultant & creative with 35+ years in senior leadership & entrepreneurship, primarily in automotive & online. Tech-savvy early adopter helping businesses evolve & grow.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

For more insight and my own advertising and marketing philosophy please bookmark this website and follow me on LinkedIn.

MARKETING PHILOSOPHY: Key Components

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Having confirmed solid foundations in the business and marketing strategy these are the components of a successful marketing campaign.

This typically involves several key components that work together to achieve specific business objectives. Here are some of the most critical elements:

Clear Objectives and Strategy
Goals: Define what the campaign aims to achieve, such as increasing brand awareness or boosting sales.
Strategy: Develop a comprehensive plan that outlines how these goals will be met, including target audience identification and messaging.

Understanding the Market and Audience
Market Research: Conduct thorough research to understand the target audience’s needs, preferences, and behaviours.
Segmentation and Targeting: Identify specific segments of the market to target with tailored messaging.

Compelling Message and Content
Message Clarity: Craft a clear and compelling message that resonates with the audience.
Content Creation: Develop engaging content that captures attention and conveys the intended message effectively.

Media and Channel Selection
Media Channels: Choose the most effective channels to reach the target audience, such as social media, email, or traditional media.
Cross-Channel Integration: Ensure a seamless experience across multiple channels to maximise reach and engagement synergy.

Budget and Resource Allocation
Budget Planning: Establish a budget that accounts for all campaign costs and potential risks.
Resource Allocation: Ensure that sufficient resources are allocated to support campaign execution and evaluation.

Execution Plan and Timing
Project Plan: Develop a detailed project plan that outlines timelines, milestones, and responsibilities.
Timing: Identify the optimal moments to launch and adjust the campaign based on audience receptivity.

Monitoring and Evaluation
KPIs: Set key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure campaign success, such as sales revenue, customer retention, or ROI.
Continuous Evaluation: Regularly assess campaign performance and make adjustments as needed to optimise results.

So…
By integrating these components, businesses can create effective marketing campaigns that drive engagement, conversions, and long-term brand success.

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Steve Coulter is a sales & marketing consultant & creative with 35+ years in senior leadership & entrepreneurship, primarily in automotive & online. A tech-savvy early adopter helping businesses evolve & grow.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

First published on Linked-In,

MARKETING PHILOSOPHY: It’s All About The Basics

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Today’s weblog post: Ensuring Solid Business and Marketing Fundamentals Before Launching New Campaigns & Initiatives.

In today’s fast-paced digital landscape, businesses often rush to adopt the latest marketing trends and technologies, hoping to quickly capture market share and boost brand visibility. However, this approach can lead to fleeting success if the foundational elements of marketing are not solid. Cementing business and marketing fundamentals before embarking on new advertising and marketing campaigns is crucial for achieving long-term success and building a sustainable brand.

Understanding the Customer

At the heart of successful marketing is a deep understanding of the customer. This involves recognising the hierarchy of needs, wants, and demands, as well as segmenting the market to identify the most relevant target audience. By focusing on customer needs and preferences, thereby solving problems, businesses can create products and services that truly resonate with their audience, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty.

A Strong Value Proposition

A well-defined value proposition is essential for differentiating a company from its competitors and communicating why customers should choose its products or services. This proposition should clearly articulate the unique benefits and solutions offered by the business,  your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) ensuring that marketing efforts are aligned with the company’s overall mission and vision.

Building a Comprehensive Marketing Strategy

A solid marketing strategy serves as the blueprint for achieving business objectives. It involves setting clear, measurable goals, identifying the target audience, and selecting appropriate marketing channels to reach them. By focusing on core marketing principles, such as the four Ps (product, price, promotion, and place), businesses can create a cohesive marketing mix that effectively influences customer purchasing decisions.

Measuring Success and Adapting

To ensure the effectiveness of marketing campaigns, it’s vital to establish key performance indicators (KPIs) and regularly monitor progress. This allows businesses to identify areas for improvement and make informed decisions about future marketing efforts. By staying grounded in fundamental marketing principles, companies can adapt to changing market conditions while maintaining a consistent brand image and message.

So…

While the allure of new marketing trends and technologies can be strong, it’s essential to prioritise the fundamentals of business and marketing. By understanding the customer, crafting a compelling value proposition, building a comprehensive marketing strategy, and continuously measuring success, businesses can lay the groundwork for successful marketing campaigns that drive sustainable growth and foster enduring customer relationships. In a world where marketing landscapes are constantly evolving, relying on proven marketing fundamentals ensures that businesses remain competitive and relevant over time.

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Steve Coulter is a sales & marketing consultant & creative with 35+ years in senior leadership & entrepreneurship, primarily in automotive & online. A tech-savvy early adopter helping businesses evolve & grow.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

First published on Linked-In

ADVERT: No Hype. Just High Performance Websites

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Head Turning Website Designs That Transform Your Digital Presence.

Website Design and Digital Marketing Expert

High performance meets stunning minimalist design. ‘Adding lightness’ with no clutter, just pure digital efficiency that converts visitors into customers.

Website experiences that load in a blink, adapt seamlessly, and deliver your message with crystal clarity and answer all your visitors questions.

Expect:
* Pages that load in milliseconds, not seconds
* Responsive designs that flow effortlessly across all devices
* Clean, purposeful aesthetics
* Solutions engineered by experts to turbocharge your bottom line

Beyond Beautiful…
Like the Porsche 911, website design is constantly evolving. Each pixel must serve a purpose, every intervention intentional. Websites are active digital tools that drive real business results.

Ready to Win?
Contact me today for your 2025 Digital Marketing Audit and to discuss high performance websites, content and outstanding search results.

DIGITAL MARKETING: 2025 Developments You Cannot Ignore. Pt.5

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The fifth instalment of a five part post on the key developments in digital marketing that businesses should be aware of in 2025.

Part 5. The Mass Adoption Of Cryptocurrency.

The one newer innovation that could leave your business out in the cold, even with every other element in great shape, is the emergence of cryptocurrency as a payment method. Particularly if your brand or business sells products predominantly to people aged under thirty – aka Generation Z who, are often crypto-cash rich from their early adoption and subsequent increase in value. In fact there is currently a Supercar sales boom to twenty year olds. Potentially, no crypto payment option, no sale.

As we navigate through 2025, cryptocurrency has evolved from a speculative investment to a legitimate payment method embraced by mainstream consumers and forward-thinking businesses. For online retailers, this shift represents more than just adding another payment button to the checkout page, it’s a fundamental transformation in how digital commerce operates. With major players like PayPal, Square, and Shopify facilitating cryptocurrency transactions, smaller retailers can no longer afford to ignore this growing trend. Gone are the days when accepting crypto was seen as a novelty; it’s now becoming a competitive necessity that opens doors to new customer segments, reduces transaction costs, and streamlines cross-border sales.

The impact of cryptocurrency adoption extends beyond mere payment processing. It’s reshaping customer expectations, transforming international commerce, and creating new opportunities for businesses to differentiate themselves in an increasingly competitive digital marketplace. In this post I’ll explain how cryptocurrency is changing the e-commerce landscape and provide a practical roadmap for retailers looking to embrace this digital revolution. Whether you’re a seasoned e-commerce veteran ‘OG’, ‘Whale’ or just starting your online retail journey, understanding and adapting to the crypto revolution could be the key to unlocking your business’s next phase of growth.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

A brief outline the impact of cryptocurrency adoption on online retail and strategic considerations.

Current Impact on Online Retail:
– Expanded payment options attracting tech-savvy customers and early adopters
– Reduced transaction fees compared to traditional credit card processing
– Near instant settlement times for international transactions
– Elimination of chargebacks and fraud reduction (see Blockchain)
– Access to a growing demographic of crypto-wealthy consumers
– Potential for increased cross-border sales without currency exchange complications
– Marketing differentiation as an innovative, forward-thinking brand

Strategic Recommendations for Online Retailers:

1. Payment Integration
– Partner with established crypto payment processors (like BitPay, Coinbase Commerce)
– Start with accepting major and arguably less volatile cryptocurrencies (Bitcoin, Ethereum)
– Implement stable coins (USDC, USDT) to reduce volatility risk
– Ensure smooth integration with existing accounting systems
– Consider options for crypto-to-fiat conversion at point of sale

2. Risk Management
– Develop clear policies for handling price volatility
– Implement real-time price adjustment mechanisms
– Consider crypto-to-fiat conversion timing strategies
– Establish clear refund and return policies for crypto payments
– Maintain compliance with local regulatory requirements
– Regular security audits and protection measures

3. Customer Experience
– Provide clear instructions for crypto payments
– Offer customer support trained in handling crypto transactions
– Create educational content about using crypto for purchases
– Display prices in both traditional currency and cryptocurrency
– Implement QR code payments for easier transactions

4. Marketing Strategy
– Target crypto communities and forums
– Leverage crypto-focused influencers and media
– Highlight benefits of crypto payments in marketing materials
– Create exclusive offers for crypto users
– Build community through crypto-related content and education

The most basic policy to accept cryptocurrency in transactions is the foundation to more sales to this free market demographic.

If you are interested in any particular application or to discuss how these new innovations might specifically benefit your business please contact me.