Government economic growth figures reflect that businesses in Wiltshire and Bath are now benefiting from a ‘firm recovery’. So if your website is more than 3 years old your business would benefit by having a website make-over and ensure the technical 'background' code is up to date with the surrounding technology available.
Robert Buckland, from Bath Business News, reports more on the economic state of Bath businesses...
Economic Recovery Strong for Wiltshire and Bath
The economic recovery is on a “firm footing” and Bath businesses are reaping the benefits, says Business West, the organisation that runs Baths Chamber of Commerce.
The Chambers MD, Phil Smith said Tuesday’s official figures showing the UK economy grew by 0.8% in the first 3 months of 2014 were reflected in the West of England, where many businesses were enjoying steady growth in sales and orders.
“These Government stats support the message that companies across Bristol, Bath, Gloucestershire, Swindon and Wiltshire, are busier than they have been for 5 years and increasingly confident in their prospects,” said Mr Smith.
The latest quarterly survey from Business West, which also runs the Bristol Chamber, indicated that the market remained upbeat at the start of 2014 after a positive 2013.
Companies reported increases in both UK sales (54%) and orders (50%). Export sales (41%) and orders (40%) also increased on the quarter and the year, showing that while the UK economy recovers, international markets also offer expansion opportunities.
Tuesday’s figures from the Office for National Statistics (ONS) mark the 5th consecutive period of GDP (gross domestic product) growth – the longest positive run since the financial crisis when Labour was in government.
The ONS said the economy is now 0.6% smaller than its 2008 peak.
George Osborne, Chancellor, said the figure showed that “Britain is coming back”, although recovery cannot be taken for granted. The figure is a slight increase on the 0.7% in the final quarter of 2013 and a rise of 3.1% on the same period a year ago.
Jeremy Cook, chief economist at currency brokers World First, told the BBC: “While this figure has missed estimates, slightly, the overall feeling is still one of strength in the UK.”
The GDP figures came a day after the CBI’s Growth Indicator survey revealed that economic growth had continued to gather pace this month, with predictions of even stronger growth in the next quarter.
Growth strengthened across the retail and service sectors, while manufacturing output growth remained solid.
The outlook for the next three months is exceptionally strong and broad-based, with growth expectations the strongest since 2003.
Get Ready for Economic Recovery
As the economy recovers it's the perfect time to ensure your website is ready to embrace all those new enquiries/orders/sales leads that you need. We can help give you suggestions and advice on what your target market will be expecting from your website.
Having a website makeover doesn't necessarily mean you need a new website design - it's the way the website works that needs to be kept up to date so it can cope with browser behaviour, search engine algorithm changes as well as human behaviour and what humans expect from a website nowadays.
