The other day, I had a call from someone who found me through Google. She was in a panic - completely locked out of her Facebook account after following Meta’s instructions to set up facial recognition. Moments after completing it, she was logged out… and that was it. No more access. No Facebook. No Business Manager. No Help Centre. Nothing.

She wasn’t just locked out, she was cut off from everything. And because there were no other admins on her account, my usual Facebook expert couldn’t help her either. This woman was incredibly distressed, understandably so, she had followed Facebook’s prompts and now found herself shut out of her business and community pages with no way back in.

After hours of searching online, she finally found an email address: escalations@cases.meta.com, and contacted Meta directly. Thankfully, she received a case number, and it’s now being looked into. My expert reviewed the messages she’d received, and they all appeared legitimate. There was no evidence of phishing or a scam. She had done everything right, and still ended up stressed, anxious, and locked out.

That’s why I’ve written this blog, to save someone else hours of panic and Googling. If you’ve found yourself in a similar situation, this step-by-step guide should help you take the right action.

Step 1: Check Whether It’s a Glitch or a Lockout

First things first, try logging in from a different device, browser, or location. Occasionally, Facebook locks people out temporarily due to suspicious activity or login attempts.

If that doesn't work, and you’re seeing messages like “Your account has been disabled” or you’re being looped around without access, then your account may have been formally restricted or disabled.

Step 2: Search Your Inbox for Any Meta Emails

Before diving into recovery options, check your email account (including spam/junk folders) for any messages from Facebook or Meta. These might include:

• Account disabled or locked notifications
• Requests for identity verification
• Security alerts

Save these - they might contain links or reference numbers that can help in the appeal process.

Step 3: Try the Standard Recovery Links (If You Can)

Some users still have limited access and can try using the following links:

• Recover Your Account:
  https://www.facebook.com/login/identify
• Business Help Center:
  https://www.facebook.com/business/help

Be aware: Many of these links won’t work if you’re completely locked out, as Facebook often requires you to be logged in first. If that’s the case, skip ahead to the next step.

Step 4: Contact Meta Directly Using This Escalation Email

If you’re locked out of everything, and no links will load or work, you can try this direct email, which bypasses the login requirement:

Email: escalations@cases.meta.com

Some users have reported success using this email address, particularly in situations where all other access routes are unavailable. It appears to be linked to Meta’s internal case handling rather than a general public support channel.

What to include in your email:

• Your full name (as shown on your account)
• The email address or phone number linked to your Facebook
• A short explanation of what happened and when
• Screenshots of any error messages you’ve received
• Mention if you manage any business pages, ads, or community groups

Be polite, clear, and stick to the facts. Meta receives thousands of messages daily, so the more concise and helpful your email, the better your chances of a reply.

Step 5: Secure the Rest of Your Digital Presence

If your Facebook account was compromised or flagged, it’s wise to secure your wider digital presence. This includes:

• Changing the password on your associated email account
• Enabling two-factor authentication (2FA) wherever possible
• Checking and removing suspicious app or device access

Even if this doesn’t help with your Facebook login immediately, it protects your accounts from further problems.

Step 6: Be Patient, but Stay Persistent

Meta is notorious for its slow or automated support. It can take days, sometimes weeks, to hear back. If you're genuinely stuck and rely on your Facebook account for business or communication, you might consider:

• Creating a temporary backup account (if allowed)
• Notifying contacts or clients via other platforms
• Rebuilding your Facebook page with a new admin

If you do manage to regain access, consider assigning a second trusted admin to any business or community pages. That way, if you lose access again in the future, someone else can help recover control.

TL-DR

Getting locked out of Facebook, especially when all access is revoked, is incredibly stressful. But there are ways forward.

• Try the login recovery tools
• Check your emails for communication from Meta
• Email escalations@cases.meta.com for total lockout situations
• Secure your other accounts
• Be patient and keep records of your communication

Want to chat about Marketing? Let’s have a no-pressure conversation. Call me on 07771 960959, or drop me an email karen@everythingsorted.co.uk

 

We get it. You’re running a business. You’re wearing 14 hats. You’ve got spreadsheets open, invoices to chase, you’ve not much marketing budget, and you’ve just discovered the joys of scheduling social media posts at midnight.

So, when it comes to your brand visuals, your logo, your social graphics, your website, you think: “I’ll just do it myself. Even though you have no design experience, doesn’t matter - anyone can throw a design together, right?”

You fire up Canva. Or Microsoft Paint. Or that ancient copy of PowerPoint you’ve somehow made work for everything design related. You spend two hours trying to find the “perfect” colour, drag-and-dropping things until they look sort of centred, and proudly pick a font that feels modern-ish. Then you copy and paste that DIY logo across your social posts, website banners, online ads and maybe even your printed flyers, and call it a day – job done!

And to be fair: it is done. But is it working?

Because here’s the truth most people don’t want to hear: DIY design isn’t always the bargain it seems. In fact, it could be quietly costing you business, credibility, and the chance to grow.

I’ll unpack why.

1. You Might Be Sending the Wrong Message

You know your business is trustworthy, capable, and professional. But does your marketing communications show that?

Your visuals are often the first thing people see, before they read your glowing testimonials, or your 5-star reviews, or even your brilliant copy. If your logo looks like it was made in 2009 using Microsoft Word, people won’t assume you’re "budget-friendly." They’ll assume you’re outdated.

If your colours clash, your fonts are inconsistent, and your posts are littered with typos (yes, we see them), it tells potential clients: “We don’t bother with the details.”

And honestly, is that the message you want to send?

2. It’s Costing You Time (That You Don’t Have)

DIY design isn’t just a drain on your brand, it’s a drain on your time.

That “quick Instagram post” you planned to knock out in 10 minutes turns into a 45-minute spiral of comparing fonts, tweaking alignment, and trying to remember which hex code you used last time.

Meanwhile, the actual work that only you can do, which is serving clients, growing your business, doing the thing you’re brilliant at, gets pushed further down the list. Then comes the stress.

Ask yourself: how many hours have you spent fiddling with Canva, or whatever system you use, instead of building your business? And what’s that costing you?

3. It Can Create Confusion Instead of Clarity

Branding is about building trust and recognition. Every time someone sees your business, on your website, your packaging, your LinkedIn banner, they should know it’s you.

But with DIY design, consistency often goes out the window. One week your logo is green, the next it’s blue. Your fonts change depending on your mood. Your social graphics look like they’ve been created by five different people using five different templates.

The result? Confusion. And confused customers don’t buy, they happily scroll on past.

4. People Can Tell When It’s Homemade

Your audience might not be designers, but they can feel when something’s off.

They may not know why your logo comes across as amateurish, or why your website is difficult to read, or why your Instagram grid has so much visual confusion, but they feel it. Which in turn creates micro-moments of doubt.

And in a world where people make snap decisions based on a glance, doubt can kill a sale before it starts.

5. You’re Missing Out on Strategy, Not Just Style

Professional design is about more than just making things look pretty, it's about thinking and questioning:

• Who is this brand for?
• How do we want them to feel?
• What visual elements add to that feeling?
• How do we ensure everything is consistent, flexible, and future proof?

A designer doesn't just provide a logo, they give you a toolbox. Fonts, colours, tone of voice, imagery, layouts. All integrated to build trust and recognition.

That's not something a template can do.

6. You’ll Probably End Up Rebranding Sooner (At a Greater Cost)

Here’s the ironic part: a lot of people DIY their brand to “save money,” only to realise a year or two later that it’s holding them back.

They start attracting the wrong clients. They feel embarrassed sharing their website. They find themselves constantly explaining what they do.

And so they end up hiring a designer after all, only now they’re also dealing with the cost of redoing their print materials, rebuilding their website, and undoing the confusion they’ve already created.

Wouldn’t it be better to just start strong?

What’s the Alternative?

Investing in professional design might feel like a big leap, especially in the early days of your business. But it’s one of the smartest investments you can make.

It says: “We take our business seriously.” It helps you look confident, clear, and credible from day one. And it frees you up to focus on what you do best.

Plus, hey spoiler alert, it doesn’t have to be expensive. You don’t need a £20k rebrand. You just need someone who understands your vision, your audience, and how to bring it all to life in a way that feels like you, but better.

Final Thoughts

DIY might work for painting your spare room or baking a cake. But when it comes to your brand, the thing that represents your entire business to the world - DIY might not be the win you think it is.

Because if your brand doesn’t look the part, people might never stick around long enough to find out how great you actually are.

So go on, step away from Canva. You’ve got better things to do.

Ready to Stop DIY-ing and Start Growing?

If your brand’s looking a bit homemade (and not in the wholesome, crafty way), it might be time for a refresh. I help businesses like yours look sharp, feel confident, and connect with the right people, without the Canva chaos or dodgy fonts.

Want to chat about what’s possible? Let’s have a no-pressure conversation. Call me on 07771 960959, or drop me an email karen@everythingsorted.co.uk

Working with a creative or marketing agency should feel exciting, not stressful. But to get the most value out of your agency, and avoid confusion, delays or extra costs, it all starts with one thing: a good brief.

Think of a brief like a recipe. If it’s clear and easy to follow, your agency can deliver exactly what you want (and maybe even better). If it’s vague or missing key ingredients, you’re likely to end up with something undercooked, off-brand, or totally different from what you had in mind.

So, what does a good brief look like?

1. Start with the big picture

Before diving into details, explain what your business does and what this project is about. Are you launching a new product? Refreshing your brand? Trying to get more leads?

Example: “We’re a sustainable skincare brand launching a new range of moisturisers, and we need a digital campaign to raise awareness and drive online sales.”

2. Be clear about your goal

What does success look like? Is it more sales? More followers? Better brand recognition?

Example: “We want to reach eco-conscious women aged 25–40 and get 500 new customers in the first month.”

3. Know your audience

Who are you talking to? The more your agency understands your audience, the better they can tailor the message and design.

Example: “Our target audience cares about natural ingredients, minimalist design, and ethical values. They shop online and follow beauty influencers on Instagram.”

4. Outline the deliverables

List what you need. Is it a landing page, social media ads, a video? Be specific.

Example:

• 1x landing page
• 3x Instagram ad designs
• 1x 30-second video (for use on Instagram and TikTok)

5. Include any must-haves (or must-nots)

Do you have brand guidelines? A tone of voice? Colours to avoid? Let your agency know upfront to avoid wasted work.

Example: “We must use our brand colours (see attached guide), and avoid using stock images, everything needs to feel real and personal.”

6. Set a budget and timeline

It’s tempting to skip this, but it helps your agency come back with ideas that are realistic and deliverable.

Example: “Our budget is £3,000 and we’d like to launch the campaign by 1st July, so ideally we need everything finalised by mid-June.”

Why a Good Brief Matters

A good brief saves time, reduces back-and-forth, and helps your agency deliver work that actually moves the needle. It also shows that you’re organised and serious about the project, which makes your agency even more motivated to do a great job.

Even if your brief isn’t perfect, starting with these basics can make a massive difference.

TL;DR: What to Include in Your Brief

1. What the project is and why you’re doing it
2. Your goals
3. Who it’s for
4. What you need
5. Brand or creative guidelines
6. Budget and timeline

Take the time to write a proper brief, and you’ll be amazed how much smoother (and more successful) your projects can be.

We’ve all judged a book by its cover, a café by its chairs, and yes, a business by its branding. And colour? It’s usually the first thing we notice, even if we don’t realise it. That’s because colour hits us right in the emotions. Fast.

In fact, studies suggest that up to 90% of first impressions about a product or brand are based on colour alone. That’s huge. So, if your brand colours are sending the wrong message, too dull, too loud, or just plain confusing, you could be losing customers before they’ve even read your tagline.

Let’s talk about what your colour choices might be saying behind your back.

Why Colour Matters in Branding

Imagine walking into a spa painted entirely in fire-engine red. You’d probably turn around and walk back out again, right? Red shouts. It doesn’t whisper, “Relax.”

Now picture a children’s toy company using only black, grey and navy blue. Feels a bit… boardroom, doesn’t it?

Colour taps directly into how we feel, which means it has a sneaky superpower when it comes to branding. It helps people understand who you are, what you’re about, and whether you’re for them, all before they’ve clicked a single button or read a word of copy.

The Colour Cheat Sheet: What Each Shade Says

Here’s a quick peek at what different colours often communicate in branding. Keep in mind, context matters (so does culture), but here are the general vibes:

• Red – Passion, urgency, energy. Great for grabbing attention (hello, SALE signs), but can feel intense if overused.
• Blue – Trust, stability, calm. Used by banks and tech companies who want to say, “You can rely on us.” Also quite safe, maybe too safe if you’re trying to stand out.
• Green – Nature, growth, balance. Perfect for eco-friendly or wellness brands. Also heavily used by health food companies and organic products.
• Yellow – Optimism, warmth, friendliness. But a warning: too much can make people feel anxious. Think sunshine, not warning signs.
• Orange – Confidence, enthusiasm, fun. A bit cheeky, often used by brands that don’t take themselves too seriously.
• Purple – Creativity, luxury, mystery. Historically the colour of royalty. Now more common among beauty brands or those wanting to feel premium.
• Black – Sophistication, elegance, authority. Timeless and bold. Used well, it’s chic. Used badly, it’s just gloomy.
• Pink – Compassion, playfulness, romance. No longer just “girly”, lots of brands use bold pinks to feel energetic and modern.
• Grey – Neutrality, balance, professionalism. Also occasionally: “we didn’t want to choose a colour so we picked this.”

Brand Examples That Nail It

Let’s take a look at a couple of big brands who’ve absolutely nailed their colour strategy:

• Innocent Drinks – Pastel blues, soft greens, pops of cheerful red. Everything about their palette says “fresh,” “natural,” and “not taking ourselves too seriously.” Spot on for a smoothie company that wants to feel friendly and wholesome, with a cheeky wink.
• Harley-Davidson – Black and orange. Power meets rebellion. The black gives you that strong, solid, no-nonsense feel. The orange says, “Yeah, but we’re also a bit wild.” Perfect if you’re selling roaring engines and the open road.

And then there are some brands that go all in with colour as a statement, like Glossier (millennial pink) or Spotify (neon green on black). You might love it or hate it, but you won’t forget it. That’s the point.

What Happens When You Get Colour Wrong?

Picture this: a fun, quirky bakery with delicious cakes… but the branding is navy blue and beige. It looks like a tax advisor.

Or a legal firm trying to inspire confidence but using hot pink and comic sans. Probably not getting the high-end clients they’re after.

The wrong colours create a mismatch between what you want people to feel and what they’re actually feeling. And that creates confusion. And confusion? It’s a conversion killer.

OK, So How Do You Choose the Right Colours?

Here’s the good news: you don’t need a psychology degree or a full brand strategy workshop (although those help!) to start thinking about colours in a smarter way.

Ask yourself:

• What do I want people to feel when they see my brand?
• Am I trying to attract calm people, adventurous people, serious people, or creative types?
• Do my colours reflect that? Or are they saying something else entirely?

If your gut’s telling you something’s off, or if your palette was chosen by a random Canva template five years ago, it’s possibly time for a rethink.

Lastly...

Colour psychology isn’t about rules, it’s about character. You don’t have to tick every box or be boxed into clichés. But if you want your brand to connect, convert, and stick in people’s minds, your colours need to tell the same story you’re telling everywhere else.

Pick a palette that feels like you. One that shows off your personality, connects with your audience, and gives people the right feeling right from the start.

Because in branding, first impressions aren’t just important, they’re colour-coded.

Staying updated with the latest trends in social media is essential. The platforms, their algorithms, and user behaviours continuously change, demanding businesses to pivot and adapt. As we march further into 2023, brands should be aware of six significant social media trends.

1. Algorithm Updates: Adapt or Get Left Behind

Social media giants, notably Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, frequently tinker with their algorithms. Why does this matter? These algorithms determine which posts users see, in what order, and how often.

Recent updates prioritise content that spurs genuine engagement. Instead of sheer likes, platforms now value comments, shares, and meaningful interactions. For brands, this translates to crafting content that resonates personally with the audience, encouraging active participation rather than passive scrolling.

Takeaway: Quality over quantity. Focus on creating impactful content that encourages discussions and shares.

2. Emerging Platforms: More Than Just the Big Players

While Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter dominate the scene, new platforms continuously emerge. TikTok, with its short video format, and Clubhouse, with its audio-only rooms, have gained ground rapidly.

These platforms offer novel ways to engage audiences. For instance, TikTok thrives on challenges, catchy music, and engaging visuals. Clubhouse, on the other hand, fosters real-time conversations and can position brands as thought leaders in discussions.

Takeaway: Expand your presence. Experiment with newer platforms to tap into different demographics and engagement styles.

3. Video Content: The Uncontested Champion

If a picture is worth a thousand words, a video might just be priceless. Platforms like Instagram and Facebook have expanded their video features with Reels, IGTV, and more. Why? Because users love videos!

Brands should leverage video content, both long-form and short-form. Whether it's a behind-the-scenes clip, a tutorial, or a creative brand story, videos engage audiences more effectively and tend to have higher retention rates.

Takeaway: Integrate video into your content strategy. It's versatile, engaging, and widely favoured by algorithms.

4. Ephemeral Content: Here Today, Gone Tomorrow

Stories, first popularised by Snapchat, have been adopted by Instagram, Facebook, and even LinkedIn. These fleeting pieces of content, visible for just 24 hours, are consumed more voraciously by users due to their temporary nature.

For brands, stories offer a chance to showcase real-time events, flash sales, or just snippets of daily business life. They're less polished, more authentic, and offer a 'peek behind the curtain.'

Takeaway: Use stories to foster a genuine connection. Their brief nature can drive urgency and FOMO (Fear of Missing Out).

5. Influencer Collaborations: The Human Touch in Marketing

Influencer marketing isn't new, but it's continuously evolving. Instead of just mega-celebrities, brands now collaborate with micro and macro influencers. These influencers, though having fewer followers, boast a more engaged and niche audience.

Collaborations can range from product reviews to giveaways, or even long-term partnerships. The key is authenticity. Users trust influencers they follow, and a genuine endorsement can translate to better brand credibility and sales.

Takeaway: Find influencers that align with your brand values. It's not about the size of the audience but the quality of engagement.

6. Social Commerce: Seamless Shopping Experiences

Scroll. Like. Buy. Repeat. Platforms like Instagram and Pinterest are blurring the lines between social media and e-commerce. With integrated shopping features, users can now purchase products without leaving the app.

For businesses, this means optimising product listings, using engaging visuals and offering exclusive deals on these platforms. It's a more organic way to convert a user's interest directly into a sale.

Takeaway: Make the shopping process as seamless as possible. Integrate shopping features and ensure a smooth user experience.

Wrapping Up

Navigating social media can seem daunting, especially with its ever-changing nature. However, understanding and adapting to these trends can offer brands a competitive edge.

Remember, every trend comes back to the user. Whether it’s a new algorithm or platform, the goal is to make things better for them. Brands that focus on their audience, build real connections, and give real value won’t just follow trends - they might even create their own.

 

 

In the world of sales, one of the most common challenges businesses face is selling products that fall into the "nice-to-have" category. These are items that aren't necessarily essential but offer value, enjoyment, or convenience to customers. Convincing individuals who are hesitant to make such purchases requires a thoughtful approach that addresses their concerns while highlighting the benefits of the product. In this article, we'll explore effective strategies to sell "nice-to-have" products, backed by real-world examples and actionable insights.

 

Identifying the hesitant buyer

Understanding your target audience is the first step toward successful sales. To identify potential customers who might be reluctant to buy "nice-to-have" products, consider these methods:

Market Research: Conduct surveys or use analytics tools to gather data on customer preferences and spending habits. This will help you identify segments of your audience that might be more cautious with their purchases.

Segmentation: Create buyer personas that reflect different consumer attitudes and behaviours. Some individuals might prioritise practicality, while others are open to indulging in non-essential purchases.

 

Reasons for hesitation

Before devising a strategy, it's crucial to delve into the reasons behind customers' reluctance to purchase non-essential items:

Financial Concerns: Economic uncertainty or tight budgets can deter customers from spending on non-essential products.

Value Perception: Some customers may struggle to see the value in "nice-to-have" items, leading them to prioritise more practical purchases.

Prioritisation: Limited time and resources often result in customers focusing on essentials rather than indulgent items.

 

Strategies to overcome reluctance

Highlight Benefits: Craft compelling product descriptions that emphasise the unique benefits of the item. For example, if you're selling a relaxation product, emphasise stress relief and improved well-being.

Social Proof: Leverage customer reviews and testimonials to showcase the positive experiences of others who have purchased the product.

Emotional Appeal: Connect with customers' emotions by telling stories that resonate with their desires. If you're selling luxury candles, paint a picture of a serene evening retreat.

Limited-Time Offers: Create a sense of urgency with time-limited discounts or exclusive offers, motivating customers to seize the opportunity.

Bundling: Package the "nice-to-have" product with a complementary essential item. For instance, pair a cookbook with a set of kitchen utensils.

 

Real-life success stories

Apple's AirPods: Elevating Functionality to Lifestyle

Apple's AirPods revolutionised the way we perceive wireless headphones. What started as a product designed for convenience and mobility quickly transformed into a symbol of style and status. Apple's strategic marketing transformed AirPods from mere headphones into desirable lifestyle accessories.

By emphasising sleek design, cutting-edge technology, and seamless integration with Apple devices, AirPods became more than just a functional product. They became a statement piece, a fashion item, and a must-have accessory for tech enthusiasts and trendsetters alike. Apple's branding focused on the convenience of wireless technology and the sense of freedom it brings, turning AirPods into an aspirational purchase.

The key takeaway here is that Apple successfully tapped into customers' desire for convenience, status, and cutting-edge innovation, effectively blurring the line between practicality and luxury.

 

Dollar Shave Club: Disrupting the Razor Market

Dollar Shave Club disrupted the traditional razor market by identifying a pain point shared by many consumers: the high cost of quality razors. With a simple yet powerful value proposition—high-quality razors delivered to your doorstep at an affordable price—the Dollar Shave Club swiftly captured the attention of a broad audience.

The company's witty and engaging marketing campaigns, including the now-famous launch video, resonated with customers looking for a hassle-free solution to their grooming needs. Dollar Shave Club's subscription-based model offered both convenience and savings, presenting an attractive alternative to traditional purchasing methods.

 

Are you looking to increase your ecommerce sales? Whether you're just starting out or looking to grow your existing online business, there are several strategies you can use to drive more traffic to your website and convert more visitors into paying customers.

In this blog, we've shared 12 top tips for boosting your ecommerce sales. From optimising your website for search engines to offering a loyalty program, these tips should help you improve your online reputation and grow your business.

No matter what you're selling, be it products, services or online ebooks, read on to discover how you can take your sales to another level:

1. Optimise your website for search engines
   Use search engine optimisation (SEO) to make sure your website appears high in search results when potential customers search for keywords related to your products or services. This includes looking at your website's structure (sitemap), content, and metadata. Yoast is a great WordPress plugin tool that can help you with this.
2. Make your website user-friendly
   Make sure your website is easy to navigate and use. This includes having clear navigation, simple checkout processes, and mobile optimisation for users who access your website on their smartphones.
3. Offer a variety of payment options
   Provide a range of payment options to accommodate different customers, including credit cards, PayPal, and other online payment methods.
4. Provide high-quality product images and descriptions
   Use high-quality product images and detailed descriptions to help customers understand exactly what they are buying. This can help build trust and increase sales. This helps sell the dream - make your images so good that customers can almost feel the quality.
5. Offer free shipping
   Consider offering free shipping, especially for larger orders. This can be a powerful incentive for customers to choose your website over competitors.
6. Utilise email marketing
   Build an email list of interested customers and use email marketing to keep them informed about new products, promotions, and sales. A great way to build your email list is to encourage signups from your website. Offer a discount on their first order in return for their email address. Make sure they tick the opt-in to receive emails box though.
7. Leverage social media
   Use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and TikTok to promote your products. These social channels help to drive traffic to your website.
8. Provide excellent customer service
   Provide fast, friendly, and helpful customer service to build trust and loyalty with your customers. This will not only encourage repeat business, but your customers will also tell others about how good your service is.
9. Offer promotions and discounts
   Use promotions and discounts to incentivise customers to make a purchase. This can include offering a percentage off their first order or offering a gift with the purchase.
10. Use Google Analytics
    Set up Google Analytics on your website to track user behaviour and identify opportunities for improvement. Use this data to optimise your website and improve your conversion rate.
11. Implement Google Tags
    Implement Google Tags, such as Google Tag Manager and Google Ads Remarketing Tag, to track user behaviour and create targeted advertising campaigns. By understanding how users interact with your website, you can create more effective ads that are more likely to convert.
12. Offer a loyalty program
    Create a loyalty program to incentivise customers to make repeat purchases. Reward loyal customers with exclusive discounts, early access to new arrivals, and other perks to encourage them to continue shopping with you. This is great for customer retention!

Implementing these top tips can help you drive more traffic to your website, improve your conversion rate, and ultimately boost your e-commerce sales. By optimising your website for search engines, providing excellent customer service, and utilising tools like Google Tags, you can create a better user experience for your customers, see where your sales are coming from and increase your chances of success.

Of course, if you need help implementing these tips or would like further guidance on growing your e-commerce business, feel free to contact us Everything Sorted. You can contact us at 07771 960959 or email us at karen@everythingsorted.co.uk to learn more about our services and how we can help you achieve your business goals.

Thank you for reading, and best of luck with your e-commerce business!

Marketing is essential for all businesses if they want to be seen and heard, but it’s even more important for startups. Prospects won't buy products or services unless they know and understand the business and the benefits to them.

Startups are hungry for growth and need it to happen quickly. Once a business starts to get well known it will naturally attract more customers but until that happens prioritise these marketing strategies to spread the word about your startup.

Create a website
Having a website is an opportunity to make a great first impression and give people comfort that you're a real business.

A website will increase your organisation’s credibility, especially if it’s been created professionally. It’s your central hub, your shop window; it ties all your marketing efforts together. Without a website, people may question your legitimacy as a business and driving traffic to your website will be vitally important.

Send Emails
Email marketing is a great way to attract customers to your startup for very little cost, but you must first collect email addresses. You can do this via your website by adding a newsletter signup form to it. Your emails must vary though; don’t just send adverts to people as they’ll unsubscribe. Mix it up with guides, and how-to articles - content that will create interest with your audience.

Start a Blog
Blogging is a powerful strategy that can help your startup generate the exposure it needs. One report found that businesses with blogs generate 126% more leads than their competitors without blogs. With a blog, you can position your startup as a leading source while also attracting organic search traffic to your site.

The secret to creating an effective business blog is to publish content that your audience wants to read. If it’s valuable and worth reading, search engines will reward your hard work by ranking your blog at the top of the search results. And when your blog ranks high, it will attract more visitors — meaning more people will learn about your startup.

Post on Social Media
It’s so important to add social to your marketing strategy. As your business’s presence on social media grows, more people will see and will start to recognise it. But remember it won’t happen overnight. Most platforms allow businesses to advertise too, and you can target specific demographics to help push your startup to grow your audience.

Post engaging and relevant content that gives users a reason to follow your profile. If followers start to add questions and comments to your posts, or directly message you, make sure you respond quickly. This will ensure they remain interested.

Use Paid Advertising
Paid search is a very popular medium for startups. You can get highly targeted traffic from search engines. With Google AdWords and Bing Ads being the leaders, both provide keyword targeting with a cost-per-click (CPC) pricing model. By creating custom “sponsored” ads your business will appear in search results when someone searches for a keyword related to your business. When set up correctly, you will only be charged if someone clicks on your ad. This is a great way to get people to see you ad and it won’t cost you anything unless they are interested to learn more.

Sponsor an Event
Have you thought about sponsoring a local event? This is a great way to get your startup seen. There will be several options to choose from that you can sponsor for the event, some more affordable than others. Once you are a sponsor your business logo and usually a short description of your product or service would be promoted on the event’s signs, stationary, banners, and other marketing materials at the event. When done correctly, it can be mutually beneficial and a great way to drive sales.

However, only sponsor events that are relevant to your business.

If you need help with your website, marketing or building an online presence, contact us today to discuss how we can help.

As a small business, how often do you consider your social media? It’s often easy to regard this as the “When I have a moment” task when so much else is claiming your time. If that’s the case, you might be missing out.

Social media is a cost-effective way to engage and forge relationships with existing and potential customers, build brand awareness, drive sales and direct traffic back to your website. But it requires an active, well-managed online presence to ensure your content is interesting, useful and engaging to achieve the maximum impact. For a small business, it’s not so much about how many followers you have, but what engagement you have with them.

Here are 6 social media tips

1. Always have a plan

Before posting anything, you need to define your marketing goals. Take time to create a strategic social media plan. This not only ensures that your online content supports your business objectives, but also enables you to curate and schedule your content so it is varied across platforms and posted at the most appropriate times: post too much and you risk alienating followers; post too little and you lose engagement.

2. Look at the competition

See how your competitors are using social media and see what does and doesn’t work. Look at other businesses beyond your sector for inspiration and see what might be applicable for your products or services.

3. Know your audience

Compile data on your existing customers, create surveys and polls to gain more feedback, and use your social media analytics to understand customer habits better.

While sales numbers are obviously a valuable metric, you should also know such information as the social media that drives traffic to your website and the engagement rates for individual posts. Such metrics can help you to create buyer personas on your target audience and to develop your social media strategy.

4. Choose your platforms

You may already have a Facebook page, but other platforms may help to expand your customer base or reach different audiences. You need to know, however, which platforms are most relevant to your target audience and adjust the tone and presentation of your content accordingly.

A one-size-fits-all approach won’t work. Facebook, for instance, is a more conversational platform while the B2B users of LinkedIn are looking for information, insights and business-related updates. Instagram is the place for good quality photos, images or short videos that embody your brand values and personality while YouTube could be the place for an instructional video.

5. Have the right content

Authenticity and consistency are vital for any small business and your content has to reflect your brand’s voice, tone and personality. Simply offering a sales pitch will turn off potential followers. You need to offer value through sharing your expertise, insights and experiences with a light, engaging touch. Both text and images need to be relevant, inclusive and accessible to your intended audiences.

6. Quality, not quantity

Don’t let the choice of social channels overwhelm you. It’s more important to start off creating good, relevant and engaging content for a couple of chosen platforms than to try to have a presence on every single one. Having three to four really strong, engaging posts per week is more effective than posting every day with hastily compiled or old content that doesn’t resonate with customers.

Whether you need to review your existing social media and analytics, create buyer personas, help with content generation or require a social media strategy, contact us today to see how we can help.

Are you considering joining the many people who, despite all the challenges of the past 12 months, have set up their own start-up business? According to the Office for National Statistics, the number of new companies created in the UK compared with last year soared in the second half of 2020.

Starting a new business is an exciting endeavour, but start-ups often rush into the marketplace using a hastily designed website and without a clear idea of the product or service they’re offering, the target audience they want to reach and the brand identity they want to establish. This results in ineffective marketing that wastes time and money.

Good branding is essential for any successful business. It enables you to introduce your company and convey what you are and what you stand for. It lets you create a personality that resonates with your potential customers and investors and it allows you to forge an identity that can stand out from the crowd.

Yet branding is not simply about choosing your name and logo. You need to carefully consider many other factors ranging from your Unique Selling Proposition (USP) and the choice of images on your website to how your branding will work on social media.

In such uncertain times, you need an agile and cost-effective approach to your marketing.

Here are five branding steps for start-ups:

1. Identify your target customers

Trying to sell to everyone won’t work. A start-up needs to establish itself quickly and the best way is to focus on a niche in the market. You first need to know who your ideal customers are, their spending habits, where they sit in the marketplace and how your product or service compares with your competitors. Knowing your audience in turn informs how to establish your brand’s image and create a strategic marketing plan specifically for that audience.

2. Assess the competition

You need to differentiate yourself from already established competitors, so take a good look at your rivals and see if there is a gap in the market. Consider the logos that work in your niche market. How do your competitors interact with your shared customer base? Where do you think they succeed and fail in their marketing?

3. What’s your USP?

Ask yourself what makes your business offering different. You may be in a crowded marketplace, so identify something, however small, that might differentiate yourself. Focus on one or two aspects of your product or service that you consider brings most value to your customers and highlight them.

4. Take time to choose your name

Customers will associate the name of your business with your product or services, so it is a vital part of your identity and marketing. Before you even think about your logo and sorting out business cards, ask yourself if your name makes sense without having to explain it. Does it convey the message you want to portray for your business? Can you pronounce it easily? Will it limit you as your business grows? Will it be understood in different countries and cultures?

5. Start building a brand identity

Once you understand exactly what your new business is about and the niche market you want to reach, you can start working on your brand identity. There is much to consider, ranging from deciding on the personality you want to convey for your business that resonates with your customers to your logo design and choice of imagery and content on your website and social media accounts.

Having figured out your target audience, you can start to tailor your content online for that audience. A consistent brand image in your print materials and across a variety of digital platforms is important as this shows professionalism, attention to detail and builds trust and a sense of reliability with your customers.

It’s not only important to be consistent in your use of colour and typography, but also in the way you write copy and campaigns and post on social media. They all help to solidify your brand identity, increase your visibility and help in interacting with your customers.

Your business identity is likely to be with you for a long time, so it’s worth getting it right. A design expert and copywriter are invaluable in crafting the right brand identity that will be a lasting, positive image for your business.

If you need help with your branding, marketing strategy and promotional material, contact us today to see how we can help.