Building a digital presence for a growing business community

I will be working with Business Connect Fairford, a local networking group bringing together businesses, sole traders and charities across the Fairford area, to develop a new website, manage its news and content and support the network's ongoing digital communications approach.

The group had already built strong momentum through in-person connections, with a clear focus on strengthening relationships between local organisations and supporting community initiatives. The challenge was how to extend that value beyond the room.

To answer that, Fry Communications is creating a digital presence that can better connect members to wider networks and referrals, while continuing to reflect the community-led ethos of the group.

My work is focused on building a clear, accessible online platform that could act as a central hub for the network. This included structuring and developing a new website, establishing a consistent content approach, and creating a framework for sharing member updates, events and wider community activity.

Alongside the website build, a LinkedIn presence was introduced to support visibility and engagement within the wider working community. The aim is not to create additional workload, but to provide a simple, sustainable way to highlight the work of members and reinforce the strength of the network externally.

One of my key considerations is to ensure that the platforms first and foremost deliver value back to their members. This included creating opportunities for businesses to share their own news and events, and building a structure that can grow over time as the network evolves.

The result is a digital foundation that supports the existing strength of the group, making it easier for members to be discovered, connected and supported within the wider business community. I too often see digital communications sit apart from day-to-day activity - particularly for community groups and charities - but when they’re designed with purpose, they can become a natural extension of the brilliant work they do.

If you’re looking to build or refine a digital presence that genuinely supports your community project, charity or network, I can help create something that is both practical to manage and aligned to your wider goals.