Small businesses up to five years old in Staffordshire can still benefit from free expert digital marketing support before Christmas through the county council.

The Get Started and Grow scheme offers businesses up to five years old the option to get a full package of digital marketing collateral, a digital review and expert advice from local experts Hub Creative Services.

Digital marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach potential and existing audiences; helping to target the right people and make a huge difference to sales. Businesses will not just get ready–made social media templates and digital advertising content, but also benefit from a full website review and a half day workshop – all fully funded by the county council.

Businesses should register their interest in pre-Christmas digital marketing support now.

The Get Started and Grow programme also offers new and growing businesses branding, website and logo design, cashflow forecasts and business plans – all completely free of charge and completed by local professionals.

It builds on the county council's existing business support programme which has included a start-up loan scheme, offering loans of up to £5,000, and the Get Started scheme, launched last November to offer marketing and accountancy support to new companies.

In Staffordshire there are currently 14,700 start-up businesses and 24,800 step-ups. In Staffordshire, 43 per cent of new businesses survive after five years, higher than the national figure of 40 per cent.

The programme launched earlier this year initially supported start-up businesses. Research carried out by the county council found that young businesses looking to plan their next stage of growth needed support, with expert digital marketing at the top of the list.

People wanting to find out more should visit: https://bit.ly/StartAndGrowStaffs or contact the team at: [email protected]

Staffordshire County Council's deputy leader and cabinet member for economy and skills Philip White said: "We have a strong record for start-up survival in the county and our business support programme has provided advice to new businesses in areas where they have less expertise to give them added confidence.

"Our research has shown that we need to direct some of our support to step-up businesses which have been operating for over two years. It's an ideal time for businesses to take advantage of digital marketing support at this time of year.

"We believe there is considerable unrealised potential in entrepreneurs across the county, and this fully funded digital marketing package will help many small businesses build their sales base."

Over £4.2million has been invested in Staffordshire County Council's business support programme.