Member Blog

With companies adapting to a new way of working, making sure your workforce are working effectively has become a hot topic. Almost every industry is looking to new data science technologies as a way of optimising in the present and being prepared for the future.

An increasing reliance on data however, comes with an inevitable challenge. Despite increases in innovation, according to a report, employees working with data are still wasting 44% of their time each week due to unsuccessful tasks due to lack of collaboration between systems and employees, knowledge gaps and reluctance to change.

But what if you could remove that task-barrier and work data entry into your business processes so that it is already in one platform and nobody must go searching for it? This theory works particularly well in industries with field-based functions and multiple sites.

For example, a field-based technician entering customer data from site can quickly update service of a resolution who can then close tickets and automatically raise invoices for finance. The data collected along those points informs productivity, fix stats, SLA targets and accounting figures amongst other nuggets of information.

There are also other benefits to making sure your data, information and processes are contained in one place. Such as: security, removing human error and future proofing your business with one location for business truth. Data Management Software allows this to happen, using Data Processing within the software to retrieve, transform, classify and manipulate data.

If this is something you think your business needs a sustainable data solution, speak to us on 01284 717279 or go to https://sourcecodestudio.co.uk/contact/

We are delighted to be working with insurance broker, Get Indemnity, which is helping individuals and companies of all sizes to find the best insurance cover for them and at the most competitives rates. Tudor Lodge was approached following success with other insurance campaigns including YuLife and Equipsme for SEO and maximising the client’s search positions on Google.

Get Indemnity acts as a broker for a whole range of business and individual insurance products, with a main focus on professional indemnity. We approached their SEO campaign in the following way.

Keywords

We always start every campaign by looking at target keywords and with insurance, there are lots of keywords, with good volumes and variations. We see the term ‘professional indemnity’ as our main target – and also variations such as ‘quotes,’ ‘online’ and areas such as ‘london’ and ‘uk.’

We looked out for any quick wins, such as keywords already on page 2 and 3 and how we can bump these up to the elusive page 1 of Google.

We have compiled a list of 50 keywords and continue to monitor these and report back to the client.

Technical fix up

Using Screaming Frog and SEMrush, we have analysed the site from a technical standpoint and have fixed hundreds of pages including meta-titles, meta-descriptions, response codes, XML sitemap and more – to ensure a smooth indexing of the website.

Content review

With hundreds of pages already on the site, and quality content too, we review the key pages to ensure that they are well optimised for Google and match the user intent in the best way possible.

On landing pages, we included more information on how to get quotes, the cost of quotes, how to apply and key features – as a way of telling Google that this is a product you can purchase.

Very quickly, we saw an improvement in rankings, specifically for terms such as ‘quotes.’

Links, links and more links

Still a key part of the Google algorithm, we have been acquiring naturaly links through PR and journalists, to boost the online brand and strengthen the DA, which will help all pages and boost rankings for all keywords.

We are slowly adding domains with a higher DA and working towards eventually having hundreds of links and a DA of 50+.

Get Indemnity has seen some quick wins and although we are in month two, we expect noticeable gains by the 6th month which will take us to Christmas.

Trying to come up with an idea for a new business can be tricky, but one option worth considering is a delivery business. This type of business allows you to be your own boss, choose your own hours, make a decent amount of money and it doesn’t take much hassle to get it started.

When it comes to setting up a delivery business, the initial costs are fairly low (particularly if you already own a suitable vehicle). So, how do you get your business off the ground? Here are some of our top tips to get you started:

Find a Suitable Vehicle

There are lots of brilliant choices available when it comes to finding a vehicle that is suitable for delivering parcels. Whether you choose a van, a people carrier or just use your normal family car is up to you.

Most people choose to purchase a van for their delivery business. You may be worried about the cost of buying a van, but there are some great deals on second-hand vans. When purchasing your vehicle, it’s a good idea to pay close attention to its fuel efficiency. The more fuel it uses, the more money it will cost you to run.

Purchase Equipment

Once you’ve found the right vehicle, you will need to buy any equipment you may need for your business. You may need tools that make moving heavier, larger items simpler. You may also need equipment that secures the cargo in your vehicle. This will stop items from being damaged. Spending money on securing your items is cheaper than replacing broken items.

Choose a Name

You need to think of a creative and unique name for your business. When you’ve chosen your name, you can start organising all of the legal documentation. You may expect this part of the process to be tricky, but there are lots of online resources to help you.

Insurance

Delivery businesses need to purchase insurance for their vehicle, their cargo, and public liability insurance. Many customers will avoid working with delivery companies who have little or no insurance.

Insurance doesn’t have to cost a fortune. For example, if you search a comparison website for cheap van insurance you’ll be able to find something very low cost. One example is quotezone.co.uk which has over sixty van insurance providers listed online currently. You can use the quotezone.co.uk platform for quotes and buy either online or over the phone if you find a provider that works with your budget.

Advertise Your Company

You’ve got everything you need to carry parcels safely, so now is the time to start advertising your business. Use social media platforms to let people know what services you offer. You should also create a webpage and use search engine optimisation tools.

Track Your Expenses

As a business owner, you will need to keep track of your expenses. You may be able to claim some of this money back.

When it comes to setting up a delivery business in the UK, there are lots of opportunities to be successful. You could choose to be a self-employed owner or choose to work for another company. Whatever you choose, if you want to set up a successful delivery business, then you will need to follow the advice above.

get in touch with the Huxley Events team!

Contact team@huxleyevents.com or give us a call on 01603 869740

Human capital is the skills, experience and attitudes that people bring to an organisation. This is essential for improving productivity and ensuring your company is keeping up with or even surpassing competitors. To use a basic example, imagine owning a pharmaceutical company and wanting to employ some of the brightest, most innovative young scientists, so you can get the competitive edge when developing new medical drugs – but then this talent decides to go with your rival company instead. This will come as a massive setback for your business. So, if you want to prosper in the industry, you need to attract and retain human capital. But how exactly does one go about doing this? Well, we’re going to be answering this question in our article. Read on to see if these strategies would be useful in your workplace.

1.) Compare against Competitors

You need to learn what your competitors are doing, so you know how to improve and set yourself apart from them. What many companies will do is conduct a competitor analysis, which assesses the strengths and the weaknesses of industry rivals. You should also focus on what incentives they have in place to attract human capital (such as higher salaries), plus what previous employees have said in job reviews. This will help you benchmark your company against others. It might also be worth checking what your former employees have said in job reviews because this will be what prospective talent will be looking at, too.

2.) Employee Benefits

Implementing an employee benefits scheme is essential in attracting and retaining human capital. Employee benefits are incentives that come in addition to salaries, such as pension policies, medical insurance, or paid time off work. They can be a make or break factor when it comes to someone applying for a position at your company as opposed to others. What’s more, they’re well-recognised for improving employee loyalty and morale, plus reducing unauthorised absences and staff turnover. Benefits software provider, Zest can help businesses integrate these schemes seamlessly into the organisation, ensuring they’re being used to their best potential.

3.) Career Progression

If you want to attract and retain human capital, you must demonstrate that there is career progression within your organisation. Young talent won’t want to remain stagnant in a junior role for the rest of their lives. Instead, they’ll want to grow and improve in a career that aligns with their ambition. Employees that have something to aim for are also more likely to be motivated and engaged with their work. As such, it’s important to strategize your organisation around this principle, supporting staff with their progression.

4.) Company Reputation

We touched upon the importance of job reviews before, but we’re going to expand upon this idea now. Job reviews are indicative of your company’s reputation, which is difficult to get an accurate picture of when you manage it yourself. You need a good reputation if you want to attract human capital. If prospective employees see slanderous reviews online, they’re immediately going to be put off applying, whereas glowing reviews are going to make you stand out from competitors. Young talent everywhere might even end up vying for a position at your company. To improve your company reputation, it’s important to solicit feedback wherever you can. Identify your strengths and keep working in that direction; identify your weaknesses and create strategizes within the organisation to rectify them.

These are some tried and trusted strategies to improve human capital. Don’t ever forget that your employees are the most valuable assets of your company.

If you are looking for a different, cosy and intimate location for your wedding reception, we have the perfect venue for you here at The Black Swan. Whether you are looking for a sit-down gathering or a buffet, within the current guidelines, our team of professional chefs can prepare a feast for you and up to fifty guests; what’s not to love?

We are just over six miles from Norwich city centre; a few minutes’ drive from the NDR and Norwich Airport on the lovely village green at Horsham St. Faith. With plenty of off-road parking, we are ideally situated for you and your guests-with eleven, individually appointed en-suite bedrooms, you can even stay the night!

Whether you’re looking for a mid-week or weekend wedding, our function room offers the ideal space all year round.

For more information on The Black Swan please visit https://www.blackswaninn.co.uk/. To make a reservation or enquire about our hospitality packages, please call us on 01603 897787 or email info@blackswaninn.co.uk for further details. We look forward to welcoming you here.

Here at The Black Swan, we are focused on providing a relaxing atmosphere for our customers. Whether it’s a drink with friends, fine dining with the family, a place to celebrate with loved ones, or somewhere to stay whilst exploring Norfolk, we have a spacious, yet cosy and unique location waiting for you.

We are situated just over six miles from Norwich city centre; a few minutes’ drive from the NDR and Norwich Airport, on the lovely village green at Horsham St. Faith.  With plenty of off-road parking and both indoor and outdoor drinking and dining spaces, whether you’re out with the family or entertaining for business, The Black Swan is ideally situated.

If you seek a varied menu of interesting food coupled with a few drinks or are looking to meet friends and family for a birthday, anniversary, baby shower or a wedding reception, we can cater for you in our spacious bar, restaurant or function room.

Perhaps you run a small business or are a remote worker and looking for an agreeable spot to meet with your clients/ staff that is serviced and offers recommended food and drink? Here at The Black Swan we have a spacious business conference room available for use

For more information please visit https://www.blackswaninn.co.uk/. To make a reservation or enquire about our hospitality packages, please call us on 01603 897787 or email info@blackswaninn.co.uk for further details. We look forward to welcoming you here.

It’s been a busy few weeks at ORCA HQ, not only have we been battling with the joys of business in the new norm of Covid, we have introduced a third human to our POD  It brings me great pleasure to say that my wife gave birth (at home) to a gorgeous healthy baby boy a few weeks ago. So, I think it’s only fair to let you know what this means to OUR Wills 

Before…………Basically my wife and I gave everything to each other if one of us passed; if we both passed together, we split our estate in a variety of ways to a variety of people. It was a very simple Will with no ‘protection’ after death.

Now………….We still wish to give each other the use of the entire estate if one of us was to die, however we now want to add some protection into the Wills to ensure our child benefits from the estate on 2nd death no matter what. How do we do that I hear you ask? Simple……A Life Interest Trust.

What do we want to achieve?

We want to make sure that if one of us dies, the other is left with as few debts and stresses possible, but, we now wish for our child to benefit from the estate on the death of the 2nd person and that our child is looked after and cared for by the people we decide. Ultimately, our main priority and motivation for having a will is to protect our little bundle of pooping joy, if we are not around to do so.

What are we wanting to avoid?

At our age there are a couple of things we want to avoid. The most important thing we want to AVOID are any uncertainties regarding our wishes should we both die. Any uncertainties can cause huge stress on the family and friends we leave behind. With that in mind, the top priority is to state clearly (through a Will) who we want to look after our little man (legal guardianship), but also, who will be responsible for looking after his ‘estate’ until he gets to an age we decide is appropriate. This helps to avoid any he said, she said disputes about the welfare of our child.

This is easy if the scenario means that both my wife and I die at the same time! What happens if I die first, then 5-10 years later my wife dies? If I died yesterday, I would want my wife and child to be happy and carry on living life to the fullest. It may sound strange to say, but I would want my wife to meet someone else and even remarry (if that makes her happy). That being said, I want to AVOID this new fella getting any of my estate! In my job I see this ‘sideways disinheritance’ scenario far too often. Especially when it is easily AVOIDable.

How do we do it?

First things first……WE UPDATE OUR WILLS! But as well as that we have bolstered up our Life Insurances to ensure our mortgage is covered should one of us pass (We can assist you with Life Insurance and Critical Illness if you are sitting here thinking……wow that makes sense!).

Secondly, we add a Life Interest Trust into our Wills which states (in simple terms) ‘the survivor can live in and benefit from the deceased share of the property for their life time, however they cannot do anything to negatively impact the value of the deceased half for the beneficiary (our child).’ Essentially is means that if my wife was to re-marry, she cannot leave my half of the property to her new family; my half will always end up with MY child.

If you have children under the age of 18, you are in a relationship and you own property, you need to be speaking to me about getting the above elements written into your Will. If you are reading this with children under 18 and you DO NOT have a simple Will stating guardianship, you really do need to chat to me about getting a Will in place. I have always been passionate about ensuring young families are protected regarding guardianship within their Wills, but now I am a father, I now feel even more passionate.

The fact I offer free consultations and reviews of Wills for young families really gives you no excuse. Give me a call and let’s talk nappies, insomnia and Wills.

All too often when speaking with small business owners, we hear how Cyber Security is not a major concern.

Cyber Criminals only go for targeted attacks against big organisations with huge assets and valuable data right?

Why should a small business choose to spend any of its valuable and limited time, money and resources on Cyber Security?  Surely it would be better to focus on operating and growing the business, instead of just mitigating a risk that isn’t deemed to be much of a risk in the first place?

Well what if attacks aren’t targeted at all?  What if launching a Cyber Attack against your small business and thousands more like it was only as much ‘bother’ as clicking a button?  What if you don’t fully appreciate what your data is worth? What if the easiest way of attacking big corporations to get at their valuable data is by attacking a smaller business in its supply chain- a small business where Cyber Security is not a major concern??

Unfortunately, this is the reality of the Cyber Threat landscape your business is facing today, and regardless of the size of the organisation you need to make sure that Cyber Security is firmly on your radar.

Not convinced?  Let’s look at some facts.

• Small businesses are typically less protected and less security-aware than larger businesses and therefore ‘low-hanging fruit’ for Cyber Criminals to pick off at will
• Data is where the real value is today (particularly financial data) and every business large or small holds data.  Data for employees, data for customers, data for suppliers… you don’t want to be the ‘weak link’ in any supply chain you may be involved with by letting attackers in
• The majority of Cyber Attacks are not targeted at all.  Most Ransomware and phishing attacks are actually automated ‘scattergun’ attacks, fired indiscriminately at whatever mailing list or list of web domains an attacker decides to choose that day.

Bottom line, you don’t actually need to be a target to be hit with an attack.

Still not convinced?  Okay, well consider this: Cyber Security for small businesses isn’t just about mitigating risk, it’s about gaining a competitive edge.

You can be sure that the majority of larger organisations are fully aware of the Cyber Security risks they face and are fully focussed on mitigating that long list of risks as far as possible.  You can also be sure that near the top of that list is the supply chain.

Big businesses are now more often than not seeking to ensure that Cyber Security is a concern for any company they do business with, no matter the size.  Many are now demanding that existing and potential suppliers prove, and can demonstrate compliance with security standards such as Cyber Essentials or ISO 27001- just to even be considered as a business partner.  This means that a significant deciding factor in retaining contracts, winning tenders and even just building a relationship of trust with clients and suppliers could be down to how Cyber Secure that business is.

Having robust and demonstrable security policies in place show that your business has taken steps to protect not only its own interests but those of clients and suppliers alike- and that is precisely what companies are looking for when choosing partners or suppliers to engage with.  If your business can’t show this consideration then you risk losing out to competitors who can, and if nothing else then surely that is a risk that every business owner can understand.

With this potential loss of business, financial fallout of an attack potentially running into the thousands, loss of confidence in your business and all that potential reputational damage, how long can your business afford to ignore the risk?

It’s best not to wait to find out. The good news is, there is plenty of free information around to help you improve your cyber security position and get ahead of the game (and your competitors).  The NCSC site from the UK government is one good place to start but here are plenty of others, take a look.

Above all, if you own a small business, don’t be one of the reported 60% of business owners who assume they’re not at risk. Don’t bury your head in the sand and don’t miss out on an opportunity to grow your business, and set it apart from the competition.   Doing something is better than doing nothing, and the best time to do something is before your business becomes just another statistic.  So, start today.

We do understand that even with the great free information available from the NCSC and other sources, the time required to read and understand this, and to plan and take the relevant actions is time not spent running your business.  If this is stopping you from protecting your business, we invite you to schedule a 30 minute call with one of our Cyber Security Consultants to help you understand where your key risks and opportunities are, and how we might be able to help.

The way in which people shop has changed a lot over the last few years. Ten years ago, the majority of goods and services were paid for by cash payments. However, nowadays, almost 50% of all payments are made electronically or by card.

While we’re still a long way away from being a completely cashless society, we’re only likely to see the amount of online or card payments increase over the next few years. In actual fact, research has suggested that businesses who don’t accept card payments could actually be turning away more than half of their customers. This can have a huge impact on the success of their business.

This has led to a number of SMEs choosing to invest in card machines in order to provide their customers with the service they want. In the last year, we’ve seen a 12% rise in the number of UK SMEs introducing POS (point of sale) terminals into their businesses. If you’re an SME who doesn’t currently accept card payments, then keep reading below to find out why you should consider investing in this technology and how to go about it.

The Basics Behind Card Payments

• In order to accept card payments in your business, you will need to acquire a terminal. You will also need to find a service provider who offers you a great service at a reasonable price.
• When it comes to processing a transaction, three different organisations need to be involved. Each of these will expect to be paid a fee for their service. The organisations that need to be involved are:
• The scheme (Mastercard, Visa, etc.)
• The card issuer (the financial institution or bank, e.g. Barclaycard or Santander)
• The merchant service provider (they act as the middle man between you and the customer)

Choosing a good card machine service can be tricky, particularly if you don’t know what you’re looking for. Whether you’re looking to take credit or debit card payments, or you’re simply searching for a new provider, the UTP group is a great choice. UTP Group work alongside Barclaycard bank (one of the biggest Financial Institutions in the UK) to provide card machines for businesses in the UK. Knowing that they work alongside a reputable bank means that you are partnered with a business that will continue operating for many years to come.

While most merchant account transactions take up to 5 days to process, UTP group works hard to offer their customers Faster Processing. With this innovation they are able to process all transactions in a 24-hour period, and if needed, they can process transactions within an hour. This can greatly increase your business cash flow.

The Costs Involved

• When it comes to taking card payments, there are a number of fees you will need to consider. These include:
• The merchant service charge – you will have to pay a set amount of money each time you complete a card payment
• The payment gateway fees – you will have to pay a fee for any payments taken over the phone or online

Authorisation fees

There are two main types of charging structures operating in the UK. These include:

The actual cost per transaction – This is usually the cheapest option available to businesses but it’s usually only offered to larger companies. Businesses are expected to pay a certain amount depending on the type of transaction taking place, e.g. if the customer is present during the transaction, the fee is likely to be lower, while fees for a transaction completed online are likely to be higher.

A blended rate – this is usually offered to small or medium-sized businesses. A blended rate means that providers ask for a fixed percentage per transaction. While this may be easier to budget for, it’s likely to cost more money in the long term. Providers are more likely to make calculations in their favour, so don’t assume that this is the best option. Businesses who are high-risk are more likely to expect higher fees and less favourable terms and conditions. High-risk merchants are businesses who are likely to have higher incidents of fraud, e.g. the gambling or travel industry.

The Service

Of course, when it comes to finding a good provider, it’s not just the costs that you need to take into account. You also need to take into account the type of service they offer. Do they upgrade their terminals on a regular basis? How long does it take for a payment to be processed? What are their settlement terms? And do they have a UK based call centre available? You’ll want a service that chooses not to outsource their work to any external organisation. Their employees should be well trained, closely monitored, and experienced in the world of business.

The Risks

These days, over 50% of all payments are made electronically, with cheques now being seen as a thing of the past and cash payments usually only used in over the counter retail sales. Taking card payments is well-known for being riskier than taking cash payments. But there are a few simple things you can do to reduce the chances of problems occurring. Businesses need to make sure that they comply with the correct standards and regulations in order to keep their customers and their business safe. Here are some of our top tips to protect your business:

Make sure that your website is secure

• Make sure that your business complies with the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standards (PCI DSS). The expected requirements will depend on the type and size of business you own and who your card issuer is.
• Consider accepting PayPal and mobile payments. These payments add another layer of security to the process.
• When sending items in the post, make sure you send them with proof of delivery (POD) this will stop your business from being charged chargebacks.

Complete an annual safety audit

Considering the fact that plenty of sensitive data is gathered every day, all business owners have a responsibility to protect their customers from theft or potential data breaches. Complying to the correct standards (including the PCI DSS) will give your customers the reassurance that their card details are safe and secure in your hands. This may also mean that they are more likely to trust your business, which can help you to build a better reputation.

You’re Ready to Take Your First Payment

Once you’ve completed your research and found a service provider who is perfect for you and your business, then you’re ready to get started. Within a week, you’ll be able to join the other 1.4 million SMEs in the UK who don’t turn away 50% of their customers. As we head towards a cashless society, we’re likely to see more and more SMEs accepting card payments. Currently, up to two-thirds of all SMEs in the UK don’t accept card payments. Why is that you may ask? The simple answer is because most business owners don’t realise how simple it is to set up or how much it will benefit their business. Follow our advice above and you’ll be well on your way to improving your customer experience and increasing your sales.

Our soil is sick and we can’t afford to ignore it any longer.

Think about this. 95% of the world’s calorific intake comes from the soil but some scientists warn that because of our mistreatment of it, we only have a number of harvests left. In the UK this is around 100 but in other parts of the world, the number is lower.

I’m going to ask you to read that again.

The source of our food is failing and if we carry on as we are, it’ll be gone, forever.

A world in your hands Pick up a handful of earth and look at it closely. It might contain the odd worm or a few tiny insects. It might crumble in your fingers or clump into clay-like blobs. What you can’t see with the human eye is the world of microorganisms, cohabiting with each other. Their job is to break down organic matter, putting nitrogen, carbon and other vital substances back into the ground. It’s part of a crucial cycle that supports life on our planet.

What other jobs does soil do?

* Soil retains water and can help guard against flooding, it’s also a natural filtration system. * Healthy soil has structure, protecting the landscape from erosion. * It releases carbon into the atmosphere in a controlled manner.

The lie we’ve been fed Farming isn’t new – there’s evidence that grain cultivation goes back as far as 9500BC. What is new is the way that we’re doing it. Growing populations require feeding, and techniques, chemical use and mechanisation have swung in favour of reducing cost while increasing yield.

The soil has paid the price.

There is a common misconception that this kind of farming is necessary to feed hungry nations, but according to the Sustainable Food Trust, the hidden cost of this sprouts up elsewhere. The real price is being “passed on to the public through taxation, lost income due to ill health, and the price of mitigating and adapting to climate change and environmental degradation”. This results in the UK public paying twice for their food, which doesn’t represent much of a saving.

What’s in my food? Non-organic farming gives better yields, so I get more for my money, right?

Think again.

A U.S. study in 2004 compared the nutritional data from 1950 and 1999 of 43 different vegetables and fruits and found ‘reliable declines’ in key nutrients. This is one of those instances where more is less.

According to the Soil Association, UK regulations allow 300 pesticides to be used in non-organic farming and, in 2016, over 16,600 tonnes of it were used to control pests, kill weeds and protect crops from disease. In 2017, government testing found pesticide residues in 47% of British food. In comparison, organic farmers only have 300 pesticides in their arsenal (all derived from natural sources) and must rely on a combination of traditional methods and innovation to keep their crops safe.

Better for everyone We’re told that soil depletion is a by-product of intensive farming, that it’s a necessary evil that we can outrun. Considering it can take 500 to 1,000 years for soil to form from its base material, namely rock, it seems like a foolhardy attitude to have. If we’re this reliant on healthy soil, should we not be taking better care of it? Particularly as the financial case against slower, more considerate farming isn’t really one at all?

Organic agriculture is a frame of mind as much as a methodology. It involves observing and working in harmony with nature, harnessing its mechanisms and respecting its natural cycles. It’s about sustaining that which sustains us – which seems like a far more reasonable idea.

In order to support the soil, rotating crops, using more land to produce less, allowing the soil to rest, and planting trees and other non-cropping plants makes sense. Natural forms of pest control, including breaking lifecycles and bringing in natural predators, takes care of the land while taking care of the nuisance.

It’s not just a financial decision, it’s a moral one. It’s the right thing to do.

Feed the soil, not the plant… One of the basic rules in any kitchen garden handbook. Preparation for next year’s crops starts this autumn, just like the preservation of our precious, fragile soil for future generations has to start now. It’s about understanding the wider picture, respecting the wider cycles and greater power of nature, and making plans accordingly.

Cheap food production has made our food cheap. Although food waste has fallen in recent years, UK households still get rid of 4.5m tonnes a year, the equivalent of £700 for each family with children.

If we valued our food more, would we take better care of it?

I’m sure the soil would thank us. I bet our children will too…

Moving to a new place can be both exciting and scary at the same time. You’ll be looking forward to starting your new life in a new location but at the same time, will have much more on your plate than a local move. Norfolk is one of the most charming places in England with an unspoilt coastline that many like to visit. If you haven’t considered moving to Norfolk, you might want to reconsider.

In this guide, I am going to offer some tips for moving to Norfolk that you might want to take on board. Read on to hear some of my local tips.

Where to Move To

Norfolk is a large place and so you’ll need to decide on where is best to life. Will you opt for Norwich, the inland villages or possibly the Norfolk Broads? Ideally, we would suggest that you opt for the inland villages as there are some truly stunning ones to choose from. They fall within the Norfolk coast AONB and have unspoilt countryside that you’ll fall in love with. Don’t just move to the big towns, consider what is really on offer in Norfolk.

Start Early

Many of the homes in Norfolk are stunning and have a reasonable amount of space but if you have a lot of things, you might find that the move is slightly harder to manage than you might think. For example, if you are travelling from London, the drive will take you more than 2 hours so if you can’t get everything in the moving van, the entire moving process is going to be more difficult. For this reason, I would recommend that you invest in a storage space.This way, you can keep some of your things there and move over a longer period of time.

Make an Effort with Your Neighbours

Another tip that I have for those who are planning on moving to Norfolk is to remember that this is more of a countryside area. The great thing about these areas is that usually, the communities are strong, and neighbours look after each other. That is, of course, if you are friendly and make an effort to become a part of the community. Some people might not appreciate you moving from a big city with large moving vans blocking their roads. Try to make a good first impression and it will get you off to the best possible start.

Get to Know the Place

Finally, I would suggest that you spend some time getting to know the area that you are moving to before you go. You’ll need to know where the best schools are and ensure you have a job that you can commute to. The best schools might not be nearby your new property and so you’ll need to make arrangements for your children to get there every day. Having a car is ideal in this area to get around as public transport isn’t always convenient. There are plenty of guides online that you can use to find out where the best attractions and beauty spots are, so make sure to check them out.

Get Moving

Norfolk is one of the best places that you can move to in England so why not start planning your move today? You should make sure to take on board the tips that I have given you if you want the move to be a successful one. Once you get settled in, you’ll never want to leave these countryside towns.