Microsoft helps small businesses ‘Do More Online’

“Anyone who has never made a mistake, has never tried anything new”.  

Many know the famous words of Albert Einstein, however, when it comes to getting your business online and trying something new, the risk of making a big mistake or exposing your business to potential attack can seem so overwhelming. 

But we know from the Government’s national Do More Online campaign that millions of micro businesses are missing out on business opportunities because they’re not online.  Government research shows that in Manchester alone, 41% of people find it is difficult to support their local small firms because they cannot find them when they search for them online.  It is time to act now and we are here to help.

Here at Microsoft, we have teamed up with Manchester-based Business Growth Hub to launch a new digital TV platform.  This initiative aims to support businesses looking to make the most of online growth opportunities.  Clare Barclay, Microsoft General Manager, spent the day with several local businesses understanding the challenges faced by small businesses.   “The right technology can help businesses succeed, innovate and grow, and Cloud technologies in particular have levelled the playing field and made IT accessible for businesses of all sizes, rather than just the largest enterprises.”  

So for those of you who think Cloud technology is just for large enterprises, think again.  There is a growing number of small businesses benefiting from online technologies and using the Cloud to their competitive advantage such as Bounce Food and Periscopix.

Lee Frater, Digital Growth Manager at the Business Growth Hub, said: “The advantages of being online have become more and more prevalent in the last 10 years, but many companies still lack the confidence and knowledge to make the most of the Internet. Website sales alone are worth £164bn to UK businesses, and that’s with only three of every five sole traders online.”

So whether you are looking for tips and advice on how to build a website or understand if you should backup data in the cloud, our short and helpful videos can give you the friendly advice you need to maximise your online performance. Why not take a free trial of Office 365, your familiar office in the cloud, to see how you can work anywhere, impress your customers and stay on top of your business at all times. Its free, it’s simple and its changing the way UK small businesses are doing business, for the better.