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Company: The Best of Morpeth
Project: thebestofmorpeth

http://www.thebestof.co.uk/morpeth

Dates: Nov 2007 to Dec 2008

How did the project start?

thebestofmorpeth is a franchise operation as part of thebestof.co.uk - it is more than a project, it is the core of the business.
I have 25 years experience in IT systems, and after working most of that time in blue-chip companies, I wanted to run my own business - ideally focused on my home town, Morpeth.
After assessing many franchises, thebestof stood out as meeting a need (of providing on-line promotion of the best local business to the local market), being a strong proven product, and having a very supportive innovative company behind it.

What options did you consider?

Developing my own site from scratch - but it could not have competed - either technically or from a marketing point of view - with what is now an award-winning solution.

What help and expertise did you receive?

Assistance from the franchisor - in terms of marketing initiatives and training.
Assistance from BusinessLink in devising a business plan.

Did you face any challenges or learn any lessons?

1. Moving out of my comfort zone of providing IT solutions to also take on sales & marketing
2. The difficulty in identifying the "best" businesses - overcome by extensive use of referrals - from networking events, existing clients, and from on-line recommendations from the public
3. Convincing business owners that I had something different and special to offer
4. Learning that it is not sufficient to have the best solution - it needs to be presented in a convincing and confident manner
5. Learning that businesses would come on in their own time
6. Learning that even for a web-based business, local word of mouth is key to success

What are the outcomes and how has it improved your business?

1. Over 12 months, I have over 100 revenue-earning "features" on the site, extolling the virtues of individual businesses.
2. The Events section on thebestofmorpeth is the best available for events in and around Morpeth
3. Most people I now talk to in the area have already come across thebestofmorpeth in some capacity - often finding it when searching for local events or services

What are your plans for the future?

1. The business is no longer solely on-line. I've started an awards scheme, with networking events to follow to get the best business in and around Morpeth working more with each other.
2. New facilities will be added gradually to the web site providing additional services to business and the community over the next few months.
3. To expand the business to cover other major towns in Northumberland - NOW DONE - thebestofmorpeth has become thebestofnorthumberland!