FREE Entries Open to Two Major Small Business Champion Awards Programmes

Entries have officially opened to two prestigious and comprehensive Small Business Champion Awards programmes, dedicated to honouring the best of Australia’s tradies and female-led small businesses.

FREE online entry to the 2024 Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards is now available until 5.00pm (AEST) on Thursday 4 July 2024.

FREE online entry to the 2024 Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards will remain open until 5.00pm (AEST) on Wednesday 26 June 2024.

The 2024 Australian TRADES Small Business Champion Awards:

Especially relevant this year as the nation grapples with a housing shortage and urgent need for more skilled tradespeople, the second annual Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards pertinently pays tribute to the vital role of small businesses in the trade sector as the backbone of the nation’s construction industry, and a significant contributor to Australia’s overall social and economic prosperity.

The nation’s only recognition awards programme dedicated to spotlighting trades-based small business operators from all corners of every Australian state and territory, the Awards further recognise trades-based small business owners’ invaluable contributions to their local communities and to their fields of specialty – including their encouragement of future generations of Aussie tradies.

From builders and bricklayers to arborists, architects, engineers, commercial cleaners, plumbers, painters, locksmiths, electricians, gardeners, landscapers and surveyors, the Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards is deliberately diverse in terms of the breadth of represented trades.

Featuring more than 50 award categories and five individual categories – Apprentice Champion, Champion Tradie, Small Business Trades Entrepreneur (aged over 30), Young Small Business Trades Entrepreneur (aged 30 and younger) and Trades Champion Leader – this year marks the second consecutive year of the Trades Awards, created to celebrate and inspire the nation’s most innovative, dynamic, and top-performing tradies.

Recent data indicates that almost two million tradies are actively employed in Australia, but according to various industry bodies, hundreds of thousands more are needed to keep pace with Australia’s housing demand. Furthermore, figures released by the Australian Bureau of Statistics reveal that the vast majority of Australian small business owners are tradies.

“Small business owners in trade industries are crucially important to Australia. Their contributions to this country are simply astronomical and so, it’s in the interests of all Australians to recognise the champions of this sector and in doing so, consider how we can better support them so they can continue to support us,” says Steve Loe, Awards Founder and Managing Director of Precedent Productions – which coordinates the Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards and the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards.

“The Australian trades sector is arguably amongst the most complex, but it’s also among the most innovative, resilient and certainly hardworking.

“A career in trades typically means early starts, long days, and exhausting labour; and for owners, this is in addition to all the pressures that come with running a small business. It can be a taxing career and those who perform to a high standard ought to be acknowledged in a big way – which is what these Awards are all about,” adds Mr Loe.

The 2024 Australian WOMEN’S Small Business Champion Awards:

This year marks the third consecutive year of the Awards, which spotlight the achievements of some of the nation’s most inspiring women in small business.

From dentists and disability support providers to accountants, makeup artists, café owners, cosmetic specialists, farmers, fashion designers and financial planners, the Australian Women’s Small Business Champion Awards features more than 65 award categories and four individual categories – Young Small Business Champion Woman Entrepreneur (aged 30 and younger), Small Business Champion Woman Entrepreneur (aged over 30), Australian Small Business Champion Influential Woman and Australian Small Business Champion Icon.

According to Australian Government data, female small business owners currently represent more than one-third of all small businesses; and recently released research from Commonwealth Bank suggests more and more Australian women are choosing to start a small business or side hustle, with women opening up 43.2 per cent of all new business transaction accounts during the 2023 financial year.

Steve Loe says: “We’re in the midst of an age of female entrepreneurial empowerment.

“Despite the current high cost of living and myriad challenges associated with small business ownership at present, Australian women are simply powering through and showing incredible resilience and drive across all industries of the small business sector.

“Precedent Productions has been running the Australian Small Business Champion Awards since 1999 but especially during the past few years, we’ve noticed a steep rise in the success of female-owned small businesses in particular; so much so that we deemed it appropriate to have a standalone awards programme that showcases and honours the truly impressive work of women in small business.

“Perhaps there are elements in the double-X chromosome that gives female leaders a special ‘oomph’, or perhaps it’s lived experience, but whatever the reason, small businesswomen today are shining and deserve to be recognised for overcoming still-existing distinct trials to reach such inspirational success,” adds Mr Loe.

An independent national survey of small business owners, recently commissioned by Precedent Productions found that:

• Almost half (47 per cent) feel that it is still harder for women to succeed for reasons including the gender financing gap, the ongoing existence of stereotypes in the workforce and balancing home and work life.

Spanning hundreds of small business owners from every Australian state, the survey also found that:

• More than half (63 per cent) of small business owners work more than five days a week.

• Challenges associated with staff hire, productivity and high costs are especially impacting trades-based small business owners; with those in the construction industry in particular challenged by matters of industry uncertainty. “You never know what’s around the corner in the construction industry,” one respondent said.

• 45 per cent of Australian small business owners feel that it is now harder to meet customer-related outputs or delivery deadlines than pre-Covid.

• 71 per cent feel that they are subject to too much regulation, pay too much tax and are hindered by government more than they’re supported.

·         61 per cent feel they do not get enough government support to take adequate action on matters such as climate change, cyber security, innovation, and local manufacturing. However, the vast majority (74 per cent) would rather purchase supplies from an Australian manufacturer or supplier, even if it meant paying more.

·         Almost a quarter (22 per cent) have implemented Artificial Intelligence (AI) into their operations, with a further 39 per cent seriously considering doing so in the near future.

“From regional and rural areas to the suburbs and capital cities, trades-based and female small business operators from all parts of the country are encouraged to enter the Awards – free of charge – as we strive to celebrate the people behind the small businesses that contribute so significantly to our national economy and help to shape their local communities in so many meaningful ways,” adds Mr Loe.

Shortlisted finalists of each programme will be announced from July.

Winners of the 2024 Australian Trades Small Business Champion Awards will be revealed at a National Presentation Evening Gala event on Friday 23 August 2024; the evening before winners of the women’s programme will be celebrated (on Saturday 24 August 2024).

Known as the ‘Logies of the small business’, both red-carpet gala events will be held at Sydney’s The Star, with more event-specific information to soon be announced.

For more information and to submit an entry form, visit: championawards.com.au/trades / championawards.com.au/womens.

The Federal Budget includes welcome measures targeted at small businesses, but we would have liked to see more.

The Energy Efficiency Grants for Small and Medium Enterprises (EEG for SMEs) initiative is a welcome relief, and the move towards a modern regulatory framework will make it easier for small businesses to comply with the law. The Government’s investment in mental health support and reducing administrative burdens shows a good understanding of the challenges faced by SMEs.

While the Federal Government’s budget addresses inflation and cost-of-living pressures, it could have placed more emphasis on sustainable support for small and medium-sized businesses. Although extending the immediate asset write-off limits is positive, further strategic measures are needed to encourage the adoption of digital technology by SMEs. This would drive economic growth and reduce costs for consumers. The budget falls short in providing the broader vision needed for long-term economic stability and growth.

The extension of the $20,000 instant asset write-off for 12 months provides immediate relief and improves cash flow. The uncertainty surrounding the passage of the instant asset write-off measure from last year’s budget, with just six weeks left in the financial year, highlights the need for greater predictability to support business planning and investment. Making the instant asset write-off permanent would provide much-needed stability for SMEs.

The substantial investment in mental health support, including $7.7 million over two years for the New Access for Small Business Owners program and $3.1 million for the Small Business Debt Hotline, shows a deep empathy for the challenges faced by SMEs.

The $325 of energy bill relief available to eligible small businesses will help to soften some of the impact of rising energy prices, but we question whether it goes far enough. 

We’re delighted to see the government invest to extend the Small Business Debt Helpline and the NewAccess for Small Business Owners program. We know from speaking to our own customers that small business owners face unique challenges, and can very often feel alone in the face of significant financial pressure. The mental wellbeing of small business owners often has an outsized effect on the staff and loved ones around them, so it’s great to see the government recognise this and make it a priority. We encourage the government to continue to invest in these services, and would love to see the level of investment increase in future budgets.  

The budget includes welcome measures for small businesses however, it misses the opportunity to make these changes permanent, which would provide SMEs with the long-term stability they need. 

Contributed by Lars Leber, VP and Country Manager, Intuit QuickBooks Australia.

Lorex Technology, has  unveiled a collection of innovative smart security products, now exclusively available nationwide through Officeworks Australia. This diverse portfolio of monitoring solutions encompasses traditional wired security systems as well as smart home video doorbells, floodlights and Wi-Fi cameras. 
 

As security has become paramount to everyday life, the arrival of Lorex offers relief to homeowners and businesses alike, particularly at a time when factors like parcel theft, property vandalism and the cost of living crisis are raising alarm. Australia has also recorded one of the highest burglary rates across the globe, so increased security measures are a small price to pay for peace of mind.  
 
Founded in Canada, Lorex has 30 years of experience protecting homes and businesses, becoming the number one market leader in 4K security in the USA over the last year. With crystal-clear image quality and a user-friendly experience, customers can also mix and match cameras and accessories to uniquely suit their security needs through Lorex’s recent introduction of Fusion.  
 

Keeping privacy at the forefront of their objectives, the Lorex Video Vault™Technology  provides dedicated local storage, using In-Camera Edge AI and enhanced features to ensure that security recordings remain private and in control of the user, setting certain boundaries that offer added peace of mind.  

 
With 17 products and kits currently available in-store and online, the Lorex range has something for everyone and can be explored at https://www.officeworks.com.au/.    
 
 

Smart Home:  

• Lorex 2K Pan-Tilt Indoor WiFi Camera (White) – AUD$107.00 
• Lorex 2K Battery Video Doorbell (Black) – AUD$327.00 
• Lorex 2K Pan-Tilt Outdoor WiFi Camera (White) – AUD$207.00 
• Lorex WiFi Chimebox – AUD$69.00 
• Lorex 2K Spotlight WiFi Camera (White) – AUD$227.00 
• Lorex 4K Indoor/ Outdoor Spotlight WiFi Camera (White) – AUD$317.00 
• Lorex 2K Indoor WiFi Security Camera (White) – AUD$87.00 
• Lorex 2K Wired Floodlight Security Camera (White) – AUD$347.00 

Wired 

• Lorex Fusion 4K Network Video Recorder & 4 x Bullet Cameras – AUD$1249.00 
• Lorex Fusion 4K Network Video Recorder & 4 x UHD Security Cameras – AUD$1149.00 
• Lorex Fusion 4K Network Video Recorder & 4 x Dome Cameras – AUD$1399.00 
• Lorex Fusion 4K Network Video Recorder & 6 x Security Cameras – AUD$1499.00 

• Lorex 4K Smart Deterrence Wired IP Bullet Camera (White) – Add on camera – AUD$197.00 
• Lorex 4K UltraHD Wired IP Security Camera (White) – Add-on camera – AUD$167.00 
• Lorex 4K Ultra HD Wired IP Security Camera – Add-on camera – AUD$167.00 (Online Only) 
• Lorex 4K Smart Deterrence Wired IP Dome Camera (White) – Add-on camera –  AUD$227.00 
• Lorex Fusion 4K Network Video Recorder (White) – Fusion Recorder AUD$547.00  

The Albanese government is handing down its third federal budget tonight. With the national media agenda firmly focused on the outcome, it’s a good opportunity for pro-active profile-raising commentary.

It’s not just ministers and reporters who will be directing the news agenda over the next few days either, there are plenty of opportunities for heads of organisations, business leaders, founders, and CEOs to share their industry views.

Prepare your message

To get heard in all the noise surrounding the budget, journalists will be looking for high profile, new or unusual opinions. Coming in with ‘me too’ or ‘I agree’ probably won’t be enough to cut through. 

Instead, you might want to consider how the key topics covered in the budget relate to your organisation or industry. If certain groups have been left out, it’s a great time to be critical and share another point of view. 

Opportunities abound

Labor has said the primary focus of their budget will be on fighting inflation and the rising cost of living, but that doesn’t mean commentary on other topics won’t be covered. 

From health care and disability support to housing, energy and education, journalists will be looking for different opinions across dozens of other impacted industries.

Not all opinions are destined to run in the big papers, but most media outlets will be covering the budget in some way or another. Radio programs, podcasts, online outlets as well as trade media may reach a smaller audience, but they can often be a very relevant one. 

Nuts and bolts

It’s helpful to understand the way journalists tackle budget coverage. With the budget hand down happening this evening, the big-ticket items will be covered immediately throughout the evening (on the TV news, radio and online media).

Tomorrow’s paper will have more detailed analysis of the main budget winners, with even more unpacking of key points coming out over the coming days. 

By the end of the week the budget won’t be leading the news bulletins anymore, so it’s important to move quickly.

Strategic impact

One organisation we work with, was last year successfully incorporated in the $14.9 million injection to equip businesses with the skills and capabilities to boost and diversify international trade ties, another had launched a major health review, with their campaign culminating in Federal Budget support. 

As part of a multi-billion-dollar housing and homelessness package, the Albanese government has promised an extra $1bn towards crisis accommodation for women and children leaving domestic violence. An addiction treatment centre we are working with, is questioning what money has been set aside for drug and alcohol rehabilitation programs, which can often be a trigger for DV.

$500m has been slated for drought relief funding for farmers. Our client, a meat delivery service direct from farmers, is talking about the impact on the ground for helping farmer’s land become more drought resilient.

For those that may not have landed their funding, it’s OK to criticise the government, just be mindful of long-term organisational goals, as well as possible repercussions. 

Once you land your interviews, think about who your audience is – who you’re speaking to. This will help determine how much detail you should go into or how much industry knowledge they will already have. 

Article contributed by Oryana Angel who s a former newspaper journalist and Founding Director of www.inthemediapr.com.au 

SEEK has surveyed over 14,700 Australians job seekers* and revealed that work-life balance continues to beat out salary/compensation in what attracts Australians to new job opportunity – but only just…in 2024, there is an increasingly complex balance of cost of living pressures, a new generation of jobseekers’ career ambitions, and a continued desire for flexibility that are all coming into play. 

SEEK’s Laws of Attraction data portal breaks down what attracts job seekers most to a role based on gender, generation, industry, location, income and more to paint a timely picture of what is making workers tick in 2024. 

• The top 4 drivers of attraction for SME workers are:
  • Work-life balance (14.6% importance score – this is ranked slightly lower for those who are looking to work for a small organisation in comparison to the total respondents)  
  • Salary/compensation (13.1% importance score) 
  • Working environment (11.5% importance score) 
  • Career development opportunities (10.9% importance score – this is ranked higher for those who are looking to work for a small organisation in comparison to total respondents)
    
• Additional insights on what job seekers want from an SME:
  • Amping up ambition – people who prioritise working at a small business for their next role, place greater value on career development opportunities than the total working population. When compared to other employees, SME employees are more focused on career development opportunities such as promotion opportunities (53%), in-house training (17%), sponsored study (31%), mentoring programs (39%).
  • Taking responsibility – in comparison to other respondents, these workers place greater importance on the social and environmental responsibility of a prospective organisation. Of notable priority, in comparison to other workers, are that an organisation values and manages its impact on the environment (45% consider a ‘must-have’) and provides staff with volunteering/charitable opportunities (29%). 
  • More super? Super! – more than 1 in 3 of these workers consider a potential employer offering additional super in a role as a ‘must have’. This is prioritised 15% higher than those who are looking to work in a larger organisation in their next role. 
  • Under review – an employer offering salary review periods is of particular importance to these workers, with over 60% considering it a ‘must-have’ when evaluating a job opportunity. 
  • Flexibility of time is king – unlike their counterparts who are looking to work in larger organisations, these individuals place greater value on offerings that provide greater flexibility in their time e.g. flexible working hours (46% consider a ‘must-have’) and the ability to work part time (42% consider a ‘must-have’). 
  • Location, location, location – the location of work is also of greater concern to these workers, which correlates with a deprioritisation of the ability to work from home in comparison to those looking to work for larger organisations. A workplace being close to home and easy to ride/walk to is top of mind for these workers, with 51% and 40% considering it a ‘must-have’ respectively.

ABOUT SEEK’S LAWS OF ATTRACTION 

SEEK’s Laws Of Attraction is an interactive data tool designed to uncover the drivers that attract job seekers to a role. From salary to flexible work, it provides a comprehensive and timely resource to understand what people really value when they look to join or stay with a business or organisation.

This is the latest update to the Laws of Attraction portal, with new data from January 2023 – February 2024 created through an extensive ongoing survey of more than 14,700 job seekers looking to change roles in the next two years. 

With SEEK’s Laws of Attraction, you can browse 12 drivers of attraction to a role by industry, age, gender, seniority and work type – then compare results across a variety of factors.

DataMesh Group, an Australian innovator in payment technology, has announced a new initiative with Visa, the world leader in digital payments, to enhance card acceptance payment processing experiences for merchants, acquirers, and consumers.

The cooperation will leverage DataMesh’s Unify™ platform, which offers customisable payment solutions significantly beyond the traditional “one-size-fits-all” approach that exists in the market today. Unify™ enables businesses across various industries, such as retail, convenience, fuel, hospitality, transportation and more, to tailor the payment process and experience to their unique needs, thus enhancing efficiency and customer satisfaction.

Unify’s™ cutting-edge, cloud-native infrastructure allows for rapid integration to existing platforms, reducing operational costs, thereby facilitating a smoother transition for businesses moving from legacy systems. Additionally, Unify’s™ robust data analytics capabilities give merchants valuable insights into consumer behaviour, enabling more effective personalised interactions and improved customer experiences.

Benefits Highlighted by the Relationship:

●     Market-Ready Payment Solutions: Unify™ brings a modernised, secure, and highly efficient payment operations to the forefront of business.

●     Fully Customisable Platform: Businesses can adapt Unify™ to meet their specific requirements, ensuring flexibility as market demands evolve.

●     Insightful Analytics: Data-driven decision-making is enhanced through Unify’s comprehensive analytics, optimising business strategies and customer engagement.

Mark Nagy, Founder and CEO of Data Mesh, said: “Teaming up with Visa is a milestone that propels card acceptance solutions forward. We’re excited to address the changing needs of both merchants and acquirers around the globe with innovative solutions.”

“Visa is committed to fostering innovative relationships that drive the future of digital payments. Working with DataMesh, we aim to enhance the card acceptance payment experience, making transactions more seamless for merchants and consumers alike. This collaboration underscores our dedication to expanding the reach and efficiency of payments acceptance globally,” said Matt Williamson, Vice President, and Head of Acceptance Technology Partnerships at Visa.

Have you ever been serenaded by the “peaceful” sounds of every notification on your mum’s phone, which (despite being right next to them) is set at the loudest possible volume? Well, it turns out you are not alone!  

New research commissioned by Vodafone shows a huge difference between the generations, with 96% of Baby Boomers using ringtones compared to 72% of Gen Z and 68% of Gen Y. 

According to new data by Vodafone: 

·         Generation Boomer rings true as older Aussies are more likely to max the volume: Over a third of Boomers (34%) revealed they always have their phone on max volume while only 5% have it switched to silent all the time.  

·         Younger generations do not need a ringtone: Almost half of Gen Z (46%) and Gen Y (45%) say they do not need a ringtone because they spend so much time on their phone, in comparison to just 7% of Baby Boomers. 

·         Millennials and Zers go mute when it comes to calls: 36% ofGen Z and 35% of Gen Y confess they usually have their devices switched to silent, admitting they do so to avoid calls! More than 2 in 5 (42%) Gen Z say no one calls anymore and that they communicate through messages, social media, and voice notes. While two thirds (66%) of Gen Z consider phone calls important, the majority (84%) consider text messages a more important way to communicate. 

·         It turns out purchasing ringtones is not a thing of the past: Despite over half of Gen Y (58%) saying that they used to enjoy buying and changing ringtones back in the day, some are still choosing to change up their tones (55%). Three quarters of Aussies (75%) use default Apple/Android tones, while 76% of Gen-Y stick to the built-in options. However, 24% of Gen Y download or purchase popular songs, TV/Movies, or custom ringtones with 21% saying they have purchased a ringtone in the last 12 months. 

·         These are some ringtones and sounds that will continue to exist until the end of time: No, Crazy Frog won’t be ding ding dinging its way back into the charts anytime soon, and though it might be one of the most popular (39%) and annoying (49%) ringtones of all time, it’s no shock the original and simply unforgettable Nokia Ringtone (that lives “rent free” in our head), was voted most popular alongside the default iPhone Marimba Ringtone and just like the hum of the pesky flies, Mosquito Ringtone the most annoying (71%). Ahead of May 4^th (Star Wars Day) this weekend, 1 in 2 Gen X and Baby Boomers reported the Star Wars Ringtone was their most popular ringtone of all time, while only 2 in 5 Gen Z and Gen Y claimed the same. 

As ‘tax time’ approaches, the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has announced it will be taking a close look at 3 common errors being made by taxpayers:

• Incorrectly claiming work-related expenses
• Inflating claims for rental properties
• Failing to include all income when lodging

ATO Assistant Commissioner Rob Thomson said the ATO is focused on supporting taxpayers to get their lodgment right the first time.

‘These are the areas that people are most likely to get wrong, and while these mistakes are often genuine, sometimes they are deliberate. Take the time to get your return right.’

Work-related expenses

In 2023 more than 8 million people claimed a work-related deduction, and around half of those claimed a deduction related to working from home.

Last year, the ATO revised the fixed rate method of calculating a working from home deduction to broaden what is included, increase the rate, and adjust the records you need to keep.

These changes are now in full effect this financial year, meaning you must have comprehensive records to substantiate your claims as you would for any other deduction.

To use this method, you need records that show the actual number of hours you worked from home (like a calendar, diary or spreadsheet), and the additional running costs you incurred to claim a deduction (like a copy of your electricity or internet bill).

‘Deductions for working from home expenses can be calculated using the actual cost or the fixed rate method, and keeping good records gives you the flexibility to use the method that works for you, and claim the expenses you are entitled to.’

‘Copying and pasting your working from home claim from last year may be tempting, but this will likely mean we will be contacting you for a ‘please explain’. Your deductions will be disallowed if you’re not eligible or you don’t keep the right records.’ Mr Thomson said.

Remember, there are 3 golden rules for claiming a deduction for any work-related expense:

1. you must have spent the money yourself and weren’t reimbursed,

2. the expense must directly relate to earning your income, and

3. you must have a record (usually a receipt) to prove it.

Rental properties

Rental properties continue to remain in the ATO’s sights. Our data shows 9 out of 10 rental property owners are getting their income tax returns wrong.

‘We often see landlords making mistakes when it comes to repairs and maintenance deductions on rental properties, so we’re keeping a close eye on this.’

‘This year, we’re particularly focused on claims that may have been inflated to offset increases in rental income to get a greater tax benefit,’ Mr Thomson said.

Performing general repairs and maintenance on your rental property can be claimed as an immediate deduction. However, expenses which are capital in nature (like initial repairs on a newly purchased property and any improvements during the time you hold the property) are not deductible as repairs or maintenance.

‘You can claim an immediate deduction for general repairs like replacing damaged carpet or a broken window. But if you rip out an old kitchen and put in a new and improved one, this is a capital improvement and is only deductible over time as capital works.’

’We encourage rental property owners to carefully review their records before lodging their return and take care to ensure they are claiming deductions correctly,’ Mr Thomson said.

As reporting rental income and deductions can be complex, many individual rental owners choose to use a registered tax agent to help them prepare their income tax returns.

‘Ensuring you provide full and complete records to your registered tax agent allows them to prepare your tax return correctly, so you claim everything you’re entitled to and nothing that you’re not,’ Mr Thomson said.

Get it right – Wait to lodge

The ATO is also warning against rushing to lodge your tax return on 1 July.

If you have received income from multiple sources, you need to wait until this is pre-filled in your tax return before lodging.

‘We see lots of mistakes in July where people have forgotten to include interest from banks, dividend income, payments from other government agencies and private health insurers,’ said Mr Thomson.

For most people, this information will be automatically pre-filled in their tax return by the end of July. This will make the tax return process smoother, save you time, and help you get your tax return right.

‘By lodging in early July, you are doubling your chances of having your tax return flagged as incorrect by the ATO.’

‘We know some prefer to tick their tax return off the to-do list early and not have to think about it for another 12 months, but the best way to ensure you get it right is to wait for just a few weeks to lodge.’

‘You can check if your employer has marked your income statement as ‘tax ready’ as well as if your pre-fill is available in myTax before you lodge. That way, an amendment doesn’t need to be made later, which could result in unnecessary delays,’ Mr Thomson said.

 Localsearch, a leading business marketing provider, today announces its nationwide expansion with a strategic focus to bolster support and growth for small businesses (SMBs) around Australia.

The expansion is driven by a 28% surge in interstate demand from small businesses. These businesses seek Localsearch’s support for solutions including website building, search engine ranking, and adapting to the evolving digital landscape to generate business leads and acquire new customers.

Localsearch is on a rapid growth trajectory by focusing on expanding its current customer base interstate, while also prioritising customer retention. Over the past 12 months, it has recorded a retention rate of 99.05%, with longer-term data showing customers remain loyal for six years on average.

The direction to scale reflects the company’s dedication to providing visibility and digital marketing solutions on a broader scale, in response to a growing SMB market. 

Localsearch, in conjunction with its expansion, is proud to unveil its latest innovation, ‘Performance Boost,’ a cutting-edge tech-stack with AI capabilities. This solution integrates Google AI and Meta Advantage+, enabling businesses to leverage 10 key advertising channels, including YouTube, Google Maps, and Instagram.

Performance Boost redefines digital marketing for small businesses, providing an affordable, all-encompassing suite of solutions to boost brand visibility and drive web traffic. Priced competitively between $500 and $2,000, the platform intelligently allocates budgets across channels for optimal performance. Localsearch’s extensive customer base of 28,000 can access the power of Performance Boost 2 on the same day as their initial consultation. 

Performance Boost was initially rolled out in a Beta model in December 2023, achieving 3.71 million impressions, 55,400 clicks driving 19,093 interactions for Localsearch’s clients at an average cost of $1.14 per interaction.

Adam Boote, Director of Growth at Localsearch, highlighted the significance of Localsearch’s expansion, stating, “This announcement marks a pivotal moment for Localsearch, demonstrating our commitment to empowering small businesses across Australia. Through our innovative technology and AI integration, we enable seamless customer engagement via the Localsearch for business app. Despite broader economic challenges for many SMBs, we’re proud to expand our footprint and services to support businesses not just to survive, but thrive. Our dedication to adaptability and innovation reflects our support for small businesses on their journey to success.”

Keri Alexander, Owner of A Better Way Funerals and Localsearch customer based in Sydney, commented: “Localsearch has been a game-changer for my business. In just a few months, they’ve lifted the burden of managing our online presence, allowing me to focus on what I do best – running my business. Despite competing with larger brands in Sydney, Localsearch’s dedicated team has provided us with top-notch services, tailored to our needs and understanding what truly matters to our customers. Since our website went live, we’ve seen a remarkable 124% increase in inbound requests from new customers. It’s truly been a transformative experience.”