In 2026, a website remains a critical business asset rather than a passive online brochure. This practical session is designed to help sole traders and small and medium-sized enterprises understand why their website still matters, what role it should play in driving enquiries or bookings and how to ensure it actively supports business goals.
The workshop will guide participants through a structured audit of their current website, helping them assess whether it is genuinely doing its job. It will cover quick, high-impact fixes such as improving images, page speed and calls to action, alongside essential additions including enquiry forms, maps, booking tools and integrations with marketing and business systems.
Participants will also explore the importance of mobile-friendly and accessible design, ensuring their website works well for all users and reflects modern expectations. A live demonstration will show before-and-after website improvements, highlighting how small changes can significantly improve usability and performance. The session will conclude with guidance on next steps, including when it makes sense to invest in a new template-based website using platforms such as Wix or Shopify.
This session is aimed at sole traders and SMEs with outdated or underused websites, businesses looking to integrate their website with marketing tools and organisations that rely on their site for enquiries or bookings. Attendees will learn the true purpose of a website in 2026, how to make it work harder for commercial outcomes and how to measure basic website performance. As a quick win, participants will complete a 10-point audit of their own site and apply at least one improvement during the session.
The session takes place on 4 February 2026 at 10am.
The workshop will be delivered by Greg Thomas and David Taylor, who together bring more than 50 years of experience across online marketing, communications and business support.
Greg Thomas has more than 15 years’ experience supporting start-ups and SMEs as a business adviser, mentor and innovation lead. He is known for helping organisations gain clarity, improve performance and manage change with confidence. Greg has supported hundreds of entrepreneurs across financial planning, marketing strategy, digital transformation and business growth, providing practical, results-focused advice grounded in real-world challenges. Since 2019, he has worked independently across the UK developing business plans, funding proposals, budgets and forecasts, and offering tailored guidance on sales, risk and digital presence. His work has received national recognition for innovation, including commendation from Her Majesty the Queen.
David Taylor brings more than 30 years’ experience across journalism, media relations, marketing, digital strategy and business consultancy. From his early career as a newspaper journalist to advising SMEs on digital transformation, he offers a broad, pragmatic perspective that resonates with business leaders and teams. David has co-authored books on digital marketing, delivered national and international talks on digital change and regularly appears on BBC TV and radio as a commentator on the evolving digital landscape. His business support methods have been used by enterprise organisations across the South and East of England to help hundreds of SMEs build stronger digital skills and more resilient businesses.
The session will be held at the Lewes Railway Land Project, which is a short walk from Lewes Mainline Train Station. There are numerous public car parks located nearby.
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