John and Sue are now sourcing and meeting businesses across Lytham St Annes and Blackpool who can benefit from creating or upgrading their websites. They are the interface between the client and ORCAs factory in Leeds, briefing its central team of experienced designers to produce hard-working websites which reflect the unique positioning of each client. She adds:

"The pressure from out-of town centres and larger retailers means smaller retailers, service providers, traders and manufacturers are increasingly seeing the internet as a prime source of business. In fact, recent research shows that over 22 million people use the web every month in the UK to search for information about goods, services and businesses. They spent over £50 billion online last year. A professional online presence is fast proving to be the small business savior. Traders and manufacturers are also starting to recognize the power of the internet as a prime source of business.

 "Perceptions are that branded, quality websites which rank high on the search engines must cost a fortune, but as the ORCA concept was built with small businesses in mind, we empathise with their needs.    Most small firms have to work within very tight budgetary restraints in marketing their products and services, especially at start-up.  Our websites have to be (and are) affordable for them.  

"And even then, we offer them the opportunity to spread the cost of that relatively modest investment over six months.   By about month three if they're selling online, they're usually in the money; a good website can pay for itself in new business generated in a matter of weeks.   

"Business owners I'm speaking to are gobsmacked at the quality of the sites we're creating for them.   The outcomes of their investment are measurable, and they provide an invaluable source of management information.  They also optimize any other marketing spend, as potential customers can be steered to the site to find out more."    
 
One of the first local businesses to benefit from the Cromptons' new enterprise is Lytham-based restaurant and take-away, Chu's Oriental Cuisine. The business is the second outlet for sisters Jennifer and Sandra Chu, who also co-own the Golden Phoenix in Blackpool. Jennifer comments: "I'd already had experience of websites through our Blackpool restaurant and it is something you know needs to be done and done well, but you're busy running the business and looking after your customers. With John we were able to do just that and leave the site to him. It was up in no time and has already brought in new and repeat business. John is also training us in updating the site so we can keep all our menu changes up to date. It's a really good local business resource."

ORCA is a national franchise operation, dedicated to providing quality, affordable websites for small and medium-sized businesses across the UK.