How Claire’s baking is going digital: Claire’s Cakes
Claire Watkin’s bakery and coffee shop has become a cherished part of the community in Wallsend since opening its doors in 2019.
Now, Claire’s confections can be enjoyed by a whole new customer base after support from The Business Factory’s Digital Wallsend project helped the business extend its digital reach. Claire tells us more…
My shop sells freshly baked cakes, made with love and care.
We’re situated at the front of The Wallsend Market and we’ve become a popular place for people to come to relax with a nice slice of cake. We love being part of the community and you’ll often find different groups meeting here such as walkers and knitters.
We have a loyal customer base but I’ve always known we could be reaching more people online.
I’d had a go at creating a website when I first set up the business, but I didn’t get it finished because things were so busy in the shop. I also created a basic Facebook page so I could promote daily specials and made-to-order cakes but I knew it all needed more thought to make the most of what we do.
That’s when the Digital Wallsend programme came to the rescue!
A member of the team from The Business Factory is dedicated to offering support to small businesses in the shopping centre and Wallsend town centre. We’ve had fantastic support over the years and I told him I was ready to focus on building our online presence. He explained there was fully-funded support available to help businesses connect with more customers and I was over the moon to be accepted on to the programme. I was given six hours’ support from a digital specialist who helped set up a new website and improve my Facebook page.
He really knew his stuff and he did an awful lot with the time we were allocated.
He listened to what I wanted but also provided lots of good ideas and advice based on his experience of what works well. He gave me helpful pointers on photography, wording and how to promote what I do better. It made me think differently about my messaging and how I presented everything and the results were great. I had been doing it all at 100 miles an hour, but he made me realise how important it is to take time making Facebook posts. This was rewarded with more interactions, more likes and follows and more orders.
It’s like having a digital shop as well as a physical one!
The Facebook page and website extend the reach of the shop – meaning more people can find out about us and order from us. Being online is like being open all hours so we can reach customers even when the shop is closed and without any effort.
We have a van too so can offer a delivery service to anyone who can’t make it into the shop.
I was shown the basics of updating my website so I’m equipped to maintain and adapt it myself.
I have the passwords and understand how to make changes quickly and easily. It’s given me a good foundation to build upon and it means I don’t have to go to someone else whenever I need something changing. I decided to add some extra elements to the site, including a video and some seasonal products, so I’m just in the process of tweaking them before I make it live.
I’m always recommending the services of The Business Factory to other businesses because it’s free and so helpful.
When you’re in business, you can’t afford to sit waiting for customers and wondering why nobody comes into your shop or uses your services. You need to remind people that you’re there and getting online is the best way of doing that. But creating an online presence doesn’t have to be daunting because there’s plenty of support out there to make it happen.
It’s important to constantly think about next steps for your business and I have lots in mind for mine!
I’m considering starting a lunch delivery service to neighbouring offices and website orders will help to increase deliveries of special occasion cakes. I’d also like to do the occasional market because I loved doing this when I first started out. But my long-term dream is to set up a cake supplies shop – possibly online or possibly connected to the café.
Whatever I do next, it’s good to know I can turn to The Business Factory for practical support and advice I can trust.
Has Claire's story got you thinking?
Find out how we can help your business by calling us on 0191 643 6409 or drop us an email on info@businessnorthtyneside.co.uk
