Forest Software

Web, SEO and IT & Business Advice for the Smaller Business

Small Business Pain Points

Published January 10, 2025 | By John Mitchell
Reading Time: 4 minutes

10 Questions to Identify the Pain Points in Your Small Business

Running a small business can be both rewarding and challenging. While you may enjoy the freedom of being your own boss, the path to success is often fraught with obstacles. One of the key steps to overcoming these challenges is identifying your business’s pain points. These are the specific issues or problems that hold your business back or cause inefficiencies.

But how do you pinpoint these pain points? Asking the right questions can provide valuable insights and help you focus on solutions. Here are 10 essential questions to help uncover the areas where your small business needs improvement.

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Posted in Business advice, Marketing

Cash Usage on the Rise for Second Successive Year in the UK

Published January 9, 2025 | By John Mitchell
Reading Time: 5 minutes

Cash Usage on the Rise for Second Successive Year in the UK: What It Means for Small Businesses

The way consumers pay for goods and services has evolved significantly over the past decade, with digital payments often dominating the conversation. However, recent statistics reveal a surprising trend: cash usage in the UK has increased for the second successive year. This shift in consumer behaviour has sparked interest among businesses, particularly small enterprises, as they adapt to meet customer needs. In this blog, we’ll explore why cash is making a comeback and what small businesses can do to embrace this change.

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Posted in Accounting, Business advice, General

7 Digital Marketing Mistakes to Avoid for Small Businesses

Published January 8, 2025 | By John Mitchell
Reading Time: 4 minutes

7 Digital Marketing Mistakes to Avoid for Small Businesses

Digital marketing can be a game-changer for small businesses, helping them reach new audiences, build strong customer relationships, and grow their brand. However, it can also be a minefield if you’re not careful. Many small businesses make avoidable mistakes that end up costing time, money, and results.

To help you make the most of your digital marketing efforts, here are seven common mistakes to avoid and how to address them.

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Posted in Business advice, General, Marketing

Should You Believe All You Read on Social Media

Published January 7, 2025 | By John Mitchell
Reading Time: 4 minutes

Should You Believe All You Read on Social Media?

I was on Facebook yesterday and saw a post about Elon Musk having brought Boeing, while looking at the headline it struck me that I’d not seen any mentions of this so decided to check it out.  Realising that it was “fake news” I decided to write this post.

Social media has transformed the way we communicate, share information, and consume news. For small businesses, it’s a powerful tool to reach customers, grow brand awareness, and engage with communities. But with this power comes responsibility—and a few risks. Misinformation and fake news can spread rapidly on social platforms, leaving business owners wondering: should you believe everything you read on social media?

The answer is a resounding no. Here’s why, and how small businesses can navigate the digital landscape with a critical eye.

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Posted in Business advice, General

Christmas Closures Workload

Published January 6, 2025 | By John Mitchell
Reading Time: 4 minutes

The Problems of Christmas Closures and the January Workload for Small Businesses

Today is the first day back at work here and I was facing it with a little dread over the  amount of work that could have built up.  So, it led me to thinking and this article (trying not to be Scrooge like as I believe that the break is a good thing – although I remember when I first started work we finished at minday on the 24th and was back on the day after boxing day).  The festive season is a time for celebration, family gatherings, and much-needed rest. However, for small business owners, Christmas closures and the subsequent January workload can present significant challenges. While the holidays provide an opportunity to recharge, they can also create operational bottlenecks and financial pressures that extend well into the new year. Here, we explore these issues and offer insights on how small businesses can navigate the seasonal disruption.

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Posted in Business advice

Why the New Year is a Great Time for Small Businesses

Published January 1, 2025 | By John Mitchell
Reading Time: 3 minutes

Last updated on January 6th, 2025 at 10:45 am

Welcome to Our Website in the New Year

2025 has arrived, and with it comes an abundance of opportunities and fresh perspectives. For small businesses, it’s a chance to reflect on past successes, learn from challenges, and set inspiring goals for the months ahead. Whether you’re a long-time reader or a new visitor, we’re thrilled to welcome you to our website and share insights that can help you thrive in 2025.

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Posted in General
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About this blog

Over the years we have published many articles based around the questions that we get asked from small businesses relating to marketing, SEO, general business advice and other subjects.  You can find a list of related articles grouped by subject below or can even search for a word or phrase or browse our recent articles.

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