Through the Digital Champion project, MTA Queensland has worked with a number of members to improve their existing website or create a website for them if they don’t currently have one.

Mandrakes Paint & Panel

Mandrakes Paint & Panel joined the Digital Champion project with the complaint that their existing website was not performing well and lacked originality in looks. Mandrake’s originally contracted a website developing company to build their website and a theme was chosen that was incredibly similar to other Paint & Panel businesses in Queensland as well as their specific locality and this made it hard to distinguish the business from other paint & panel shops in the area. In addition to this, they reported that the website was not performing, was not optimised and the layout was not ideal leading them to dissatisfied with the overall product.

a. Improved Business Processes:

In the interest of improving Mandrakes Paint & Panel business processes MTA Queensland decided that a new website build was necessary to meet the businesses needs and expectations. Through building a new website, the business would be assured of improved business processes through:

• A layout/design they are satisfied with.
• Branding in alignment with their company logo/colours.
• Fundamental, working functions to ensure the website is performing well.
• SEO optimised for ultimate reach.
• Functions such as a ‘contact us’ form.
• Clickable links throughout the entire website.
• Correct and consistent information.
• A fresh and modern website.
• Ongoing support and assistance.

b. Attraction of Additional Customers and Expansion into New Markets:

Having a website is an integral component to a successful business. By building and launching a new website, Mandrakes Paint & Panel would attract additional customers and expand into new markets by:

• Having a well performing website that is user friendly both on desktops and mobiles.
• Having a website that is SEO optimised.
• Presenting their business in a professional matter.
• Ensuring all their content is consistent.
• Ensuring all their contact information is clickable links.
• By being able to market organically which will keep costs to a minimum.
• Having information readily available.
• Establishing themselves as a credible business.
• Being able to target their audience and more.

c. Achievement of a Better Work/Life Balance While Growing the Business:

Through the implementation of the above steps, Mandrakes will see an improvement in their work/life balance as before they sought assistance with MTA Queensland, they were spending large amounts of time during work hours and outside of work hours trying to fix their website and look into alternative options. This will minimise and remove the need for additional work.

d. Any Issues of Concern:

Mandrakes Paint & Panel’s concern was their poor performing website and similarities to other Paint & Panel businesses. With MTA Queensland looking to rebuild/rebrand their website these issues and concerns will no longer be relevant.

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BCM Bodyworks

BCM Body Works is an MTA Queensland member business who joined the Digital Champion project in the interest of improving their website, which was failing to meet their expectations.

BCM Body Works had previously contracted a website development business to create a simple website for them and although they had invested time and money in the project, the end result was less than desirable. The team at BCM Body Works understood the importance of having a website in today’s market and upon realising that their existing website was unable to service their needs as well as lacking visually, they contact MTA Queensland to get advice and assistance in the hopes of improving their website.

a. Improved Business Processes:

MTA Queensland worked closely with BCM Bodyworks to improve their website and in turn, improve their business processes. This was done through the following:

• Implementing and testing an online contact us form with enquiries going directly to the main email address used.
• Ensuring all contact us details such as phone number and email addresses are correct and consistent.
• Ensuring all contact us details such as phone number and email addresses are clickable links throughout the website.
• Ensuring the address is listed on the website and is consistent.
• Ensuring an interactive Google Map is available for customer ease in finding the location.
• Implementing SEO functions through the backend of the website.
• Educating BCM Body Works on the importance of ongoing SEO work.

By actioning this within the business’s website, BCM Bodyworks can be assured that they have the fundamental requirements to a successful website which will improve their business processes.

b. Attraction of Additional Customers and Expansion into New Markets:

A website is no longer an option, it is a non-negotiable. BCM Bodyworks understood this when they first built their website, and when they joined the Digital Champion project in the interest of improving and streamlining their current website.

Statistics show that mobile is now dominating across a number of areas. In 2019, the share of web traffic via mobile grew by 25% and now represents 47.5% of the total web pages served to any internet browsers, compared to traffic from laptops & desktops, now at 45.3%, down by 12% year-on-year.

Because of this, MTA Queensland focused on ensuring that BCM Bodywork’s website was mobile friendly and optimised. By optimising and educating BCM Bodyworks on SEO they will see their business rate highly on a google search and this in turn will attract new customers and expand into new markets. In addition to this, by focusing on the mobile friendliness of the website and the optimisation to different mobile devices, customers will be able to research and contact the company with ease. Through this, BCM Bodyworks will attract additional customers and expand into new markets.

c. Achievement of a Better Work/Life Balance While Growing the Business:

A website represents your business and is a source of truth. By having a website, businesses will experience a better work/life balance as customers are able to research your company and find out simple information like opening hours without contacting the business through phone or email. Furthermore, with MTA Queensland’s suggestions, BCM Bodyworks have been encouraged to frequently post specials and deals to their website which means customers can really research their options before calling to book in a service. This will naturally help BCM Bodyworks achieve a better work/life balance while growing the business.

d. Any Issues of Concern:

As BCM Bodyworks had already invested a large sum of money in building their website before seeking help through the Digital Champion project, an issue of concern was the cost associated with the improvements. As MTA Queensland offers free digital advice and operates in the interest of the member, this concern was quickly dissipated.

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Auto Accessory Solutions

MTA Queensland member Auto Accessory Solutions joined the Small Business Digital Champion project in the interest of modernising and updating their current website. MTA Queensland provided extensive advice and assistance for them to do this and made the following recommendations:

• Improve the layout for certain sections of the website.
• Improve the colour branding throughout the website.
• Edit/update pictures to ensure they are relevant and specifically about the business.
• SEO optimisation.
• Review and ensure all information is consistent throughout the website.
• Review and fix any links that are broken or not clickable.
• Add staff profiles.
• Continuously update and add information such as discounts, deals etc.
• Add more testimonials.
  

  

a. Improved Business Processes:

Through MTA Queensland’s recommendations, Auto Accessory Solutions will enjoy improved business processes via a more streamlined website that allows for greater customer reach and a larger and stronger digital footprint. This includes:

• Allowing for a wider demographic reach through a modernised and improved business profile which will allow ultimate exposure.
• Having improved business credibility by having a professional, constantly updated and user-friendly website.
• Having around-the-clock availability and the ability for customers to request a quote/book in for a service at any time of the day or night. This type of 24 hours a day, seven days a week service definitely generates more profits than that of a traditional storefront.
• Allow for consumers to enjoy the convenience of being able to access the information day or night.

b. Attraction of Additional Customers and Expansion into New Markets:

With MTA Queensland advice and guidance, Auto Accessory Solutions will attract additional customers and expand into new markets through:

• Modernising their website and making it a visually pleasing experience for customers. This will attract customers as a result.
• Responding to competition by firstly having a website, and secondly ensuring the website is optimised for desktop and mobile and is constantly drawing in new potential customers through search engine optimisation.
• Targeted Marketing. A strategically planned Website can effectively attract the targeted audience you seek, and MTA Queensland provided advice and guidance to Auto Accessory Solutions to make this happen.

c. Achievement of a Better Work/Life Balance While Growing the Business:

By improving their website and ensuring it is completely optimised, Auto Accessory Solutions will improve a better work/life balance while growing the business through:

• Providing easy access to new customers.
• Providing a source of information for existing and new customers.
• Extending their market relatively easily.

A website has been shown to increases a company’s productivity because less time is spent explaining product or service details to customers because all this information is available 24 hours a day on your website.

d. Any Issues of Concern:

As Auto Accessory Solutions already has a website and is only looking to improve and update it there is minimal issues of concern.