Small business insights

Over 99% of businesses in the UK are considered small and medium sized businesses (SMEs)†. We want to help those 99% be as successful as they can be by working with them to create a powerful online presence for their business, and delivering strong digital marketing strategies both through our products, and the additional advice we provide on this website. Because of the ever-changing nature of the digital landscape, we’re also looking to the future to see how it will impact on the lives of customers, entrepreneurs and SME owners.

Which Industry Jargon Is Most Confusing?

Every industry has its own jargon - the shorthand language used by people within the profession to communicate with others 'in the know'. From ‘low hanging fruit’ in business to 'adjourn' in the legal world, or 'snagging' in the context of construction and property, there are hundreds and thousands of buzz words and acronyms that we’re likely to run into throughout our lives, not all of which will be easy to decipher.

Side Hustles

With 'hustle culture' a much-discussed term in 2023, we set out to find out which professions are most likely to have a 'side hustle', as well as the most popular choices when it comes to choosing a secondary source of income.

Slim Savings

The current economic climate is making saving money increasingly difficult. Inflation has sent costs for utility bills and household goods rocketing sky high, with interest rates at a 14-year high. We've researched what the financial landscape currently looks like for UK businesses, and how it’s affecting their ability to futureproof themselves.

The Artificial Intelligence report

Technological advancements have exploded in the 21st century and, since the advent of the internet, have gathered pace at a remarkable rate. They delight, amaze, and force us to question our relationship with technology, as well as having significant implications for businesses of all sizes and the consumers that they create products for.

The entrepreneurial spirit of the UK

Since the Covid-19 pandemic arrived in the UK in early 2019, it’s fair to say it’s been a challenging time for businesses of all sizes. Whether you’re an established SME or a budding entrepreneur the issues involved with running a business, caused by the pandemic and the UK’s separation from the EU, have been all too apparent.

Can’t see the web for the trees

The last year has been full of surprises and challenges for businesses of all sizes. The Covid-19 pandemic began to show its impact quickly from March 2020, and has created unexpected difficulties for people and their working environment throughout the following 12 months and beyond. Even at the time of writing in June 2021, businesses are still working out what the new normal will look like for them.

Who’s getting the message?

The way businesses engage with customers has changed dramatically since the start of 2020 and, for most people it’s been a worrying and unsettling time. As a result of the global pandemic, change has happened so quickly that businesses have had to adapt at a speed not seen before in order to survive and thrive. Find out more about the severe impact Covid-19 has had on SMEs in terms of their services and tools used, and how this has changed how they communicate with their customers.

How much could you earn around the world

Alongside job satisfaction, financial security is arguably the main consideration for most of us when it comes to planning our careers, or looking to start up a business. With this in mind, we’ve looked into the equivalent earnings for popular career choices and detailed how they stack up not only in the UK, but across the rest of the world too. Whether you’re at the start of your journey, or feel you should be earning more for your skillset, find out how you compare with our easy to use tool!

Future Gazers – the next 30 years in business

A lot has changed in the world of business in a relatively short space of time. With Yell’s own move from the printed Yellow Pages to a fully digital business today, we’ve collaborated with futurist James Wallman to gaze into what the next 30 years holds for the business world, and how small business can prepare. From a four-hour working day, to a ‘Cobot Revolution’, find out what you need to prepare for!

Standing out in a crowded marketplace

We’re debunking the myth that bigger is better. If you can understand your customers, nurture relationships and go the extra mile, size is irrelevant. It sounds simple but these are the fundamentals of setting yourself apart as a small business and packing a punch in your industry. We profiled 1,500 consumers in the UK for some insights into what drives them to use a small business instead of a big name. Read on to find out how you can win over and retain a loyal customer base.

Entrepreneurs of tomorrow

Sparking ideas and encouraging a new generation of small businesses in the UK is of great importance for the economy. From a recent Yell survey of 1,500 business owners, we found that entrepreneurial spirit is on the increase, with 78% of 16-24 year olds wanting to run their own business as a child. Here, find out how nurturing young enthusiasm and talent can help create a new generation of exciting start-ups.