Get your business online
Help our communities across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole rediscover their local high streets by embracing the power of online marketing for your business.
We have put together a range of useful resources that will help you:
- learn new skills
- access direct support including 1-to-1 guidance
- apply for grant funding to contribute towards an ambitious new project.
Please select one of the options below to access the support you need. If you are not sure on the resources that are most relevant to you, get in touch with us.
Learn new skills
Business Support
Grant Funding
The following resources are a helpful collection of free webinars, courses and further reading to help you establish and enhance your business presence online. Depending on your requirements some of the below will be more relevant than others. Please select the resources that are most helpful to you.
Google's search facility accounts for a majority of internet searches in the UK. Businesses can set up a free listing to help them connect with customers and be more discoverable.
Use the Google My Business facility to set up and manage a business profile, create a website and take advantage of various learning and support resources for free.
Create a free website with the help of Google.
Free learning resources including digital training and 1-to-1 mentoring.
Manage how your business appears on Google Search and Maps.
Facebook is a social media platform. It allows individuals and businesses to set up free profiles to share content and connect with friends and followers.
Facebook have a number of free tools, courses and resources to help you get the most out of the platform, whether you're looking to increase awareness, connect with customers or get more business.
Learn new marketing skills with free online courses.
Helpful courses to build your digital marketing knowledge and bring your business online.
Useful tools to help drive sales and connect with the customers you're looking for.
Google Digital Garage delivers free digital skills training to enable any business, regardless of their background, to learn the fundamentals of online marketing.
A free course in how to build a digital presence, sell to customers, and stay safe from hackers.
Learn the basics of online security using this free course.
Use this free course to discover online tools for promoting a business online, create a marketing strategy and attract the right customers.
The Dorset Growth Hub offers professional guidance to ambitious Dorset pre-starts, start-ups, micro-businesses and SME's looking to grow. The Dorset Growth Hub also host
free events and
podcasts to help Dorset businesses develop their skills. These take place regularly and cover a range of topics including support for getting your business online.
The Federation of Small Businesses is a business organisation representing small and medium-sized businesses in the UK.
A step by step course on social media marketing
Seven strategies to help you manage negative comments on social media.
Use this guide to understand which social media platform is the right fit for your business.
Business support, mentoring and advice is available from the resources below.
The Dorset Growth Hub offers professional guidance to ambitious Dorset pre-starts, start-ups, micro-businesses and SME's looking to grow.
Depending on eligibility, Dorset businesses can be assigned a Business Growth Consultant to discuss their needs and tailor a support package to suit them. For enquiries and to book an appointment with a consultant please use the contact form on the Dorset Growth Hub website or send an email to
info@dorsetgrowthhub.co.uk.
Having a dedicated business mentor can help micro, small and medium size businesses achieve their ambitions. Dorset based businesses can be matched through this service to the skills of an experienced mentor to help them reach their potential.
Are providing free COVID-19 recovery and resilience health-checks for all UK based local business owners. Health-Checks include personalised reports, scores and recommendations as well as a consultancy call with an expert about your Health-Check.
Help to Grow is a government backed initiative with management and digital resources to help businesses learn new skills, reach more customers and boost profits.
Check below for the latest grant funding available for local businesses to contribute to an ambitious new online project. This section will be updated as and when new funding opportunities become available.
Use this directory to find finance, equity, grants, loans and other support for your business.
The Dorset Growth Hub offers professional guidance to ambitious Dorset pre-starts, start-ups, micro-businesses and SME's looking to grow.
Growth Grants are currently available to Dorset based businesses with ambitious projects to help them grow. Eligible projects include digital marketing e.g. consultancy, website development/design.
To stay up to date on funding including any eligibility criteria, you can
sign up to our newsletters and select topics such as 'news' and 'business and Information'. We will also be providing updates on both our
Facebook and
Twitter accounts.
Other Resources
The skills training and support resources listed on this page are just a handful of a number of useful guides and tutorials that are available for access on the Internet.
When searching for support through Google, Bing or YouTube, consider using the following keywords or a variation of such:
- how to get my business online
- how to build a website
- free social media tutorials
- what is search engine optimisation?
- how to get more followers for my business on social media?
- which social media platform is best for my business?
Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole offer a hub of online expertise through local agencies and freelancers specialising in online marketing. Depending on your budget they can help you with a range of projects from building basic websites to launching creative digital marketing campaigns. You can use the following search keywords to help find the right agency or freelancer for your business:
- digital marketing agency in Bournemouth / Christchurch / Poole
- online marketing agency in Bournemouth / Christchurch / Poole
- website builder near me
- social media specialist near me.
Email economicdevelopment@bcpcouncil.gov.uk.
Follow us on Twitter @business_bcp.
