Business owners have one more week to apply for free website development help

Hope has become reality for a Staffordshire business owner in need of a new website thanks to government-funded support. 

Janine McDonnell had been running her mediation, leadership, coaching and training business for just under two years when she found herself in need of a website upgrade to reflect the changes and growth in her business. 

She applied for the free website development package through Staffordshire County Council’s Get Started and Grow Scheme. This enabled her to work with Birmingham-based digital marketing agency, Distribute Digital, to get that all-important website makeover. 

Janine’s fresh and revitalised website has now gone live and she could not be more pleased with the help she received. 

Director at JMC Coaching and Consultancy Ltd, Janine McDonnell, said: “From application through to delivering the scheme, everyone has been great. 

“My previous website wasn’t truly reflective of the work I had moved into over the two years in business, nor did I feel it really conveyed the professional image I wanted. Through telephone calls, video calls and emails exchanged, my vision for the new website became reality. 

“I was offered a contact point throughout and the relationship between us enabled great communication and a really responsive service. 

“I have already mentioned the Get Started and Grow scheme to other new business owners and am so grateful that such schemes exist to help new business at the start of their journey in business.” 

Partially funded by the UK government through the Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF), Get Started and Grow offers businesses up to five years old free support for:  

·         HR  

·         Accountancy  

·         Legal advice 

·         Branding and logo design 

·         Website development 

The social media support package was so in-demand that all slots to receive support this year have been fully booked up. Businesses will soon be able to apply to receive social media support in 2025. 

Philip White, Deputy Leader of Staffordshire County Council and cabinet member for economy and skills, said: “We have now helped over 215 small Staffordshire businesses grow, with our social media support package being completely booked up long before the application deadline.

“As a county council, it is a top priority for us to support Staffordshire’s small businesses by giving them the learning development they need to achieve their full potential and thrive. As a small business owner myself, I know how important this type of support is when you are trying to focus on the core job of doing whatever your business does to make money. 

“I hope businesses will also take the opportunity to apply for our other free business support packages while slots are still available.” 

Businesses wanting to access support this year must apply before 16 February 2024.  

Apply now by filling out this simple 10-minute application and expect to hear back within a week.