Timber gets the broadband treatment
When Philip Fear launched his damp proofing and timber treatment firm Multi-Treatments Ltd in November 2005, he knew he’d need to take advantage of broadband internet access. Not having used a computer before, he had spent time researching the options for his home office with help from his more IT literate partner, Janet Middlemiss.
Deciding on BT Business Total Broadband, Fear instantly began building up his brand with the help of the internet. The first step was to build a website that would show up on search engines while providing information about his business and services.
“Our website has been very useful for bringing in new business, with three out of four new customers each month finding us through Web searches for local damp proofers,” Fear said. “The feedback about our site has been excellent – it is a fantastic way of expanding our reach and finding new opportunities.”
In addition to the marketing power of his website, Fear also uses his broadband access to keep in touch with his customers, often sending large digital images from property surveys – an integral part of his service.
“I can do building surveys for customers and stay in touch via email,” Fear added. “I can use the broadband connection to quickly send photos from my digital camera, and communicate with my customers throughout the project. In some cases I need to show evidence of damp or rotten timber from a survey, which I can do very easily via a digital picture.”
Fear added: “I also use the computer to store customer records, including the work they’ve had done and what still needs to be done. The business wouldn’t be able to function without it.”
As part of his Business Broadband package, Fear also opted for BT’s IT Support Manager, paying £10 per month for high-level support and remote problem and configuration solving from BT technicians.
This was particularly helpful during the setup phase of his computer, and while he was getting used to the technology, according to Fear.
“As I was new to the technology, I didn’t have all my security and connection settings correct, and got myself a little stuck,” he explained. “I called the IT support number, and they were able to take control of my computer remotely, activate the security software and fix my settings.”
Fear added: “The internet is such a useful tool for the business, particularly with the support of the BT team, we’re now planning on hiring someone to stay in the office and man the computer full time.”
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