The Digital Can Approach

Practical advice. Commercial experience. Straightforward conversations.

There are plenty of businesses that can build websites, improve SEO or write content.

The Digital Can was created to offer something slightly different.

Rather than beginning with a particular service, I begin by understanding the business. Every recommendation is made with one objective in mind: helping SMEs make better marketing decisions that support the long-term success of their business.

My name is Simon Grigg – I’m a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing – and I head-up The Digital Can.

Having spent more than 30 years in business, over 25 years running an e-commerce company and working within digital marketing agencies, I understand that marketing is only one part of running a successful business. Every investment has to justify itself and every recommendation should contribute towards a wider commercial objective.

That philosophy underpins everything I do.

Trusted specialists

Professional development

Continuing to learn

Experience shapes better decisions

Much of today's digital marketing advice is based on the latest trend, platform or algorithm update. While those developments are important, they rarely change the fundamentals of running a successful business.

Customers still need to understand what you do.

They need confidence in your products or services.

They need to trust your business.

And they need a straightforward way of taking the next step to becoming a valuable customer.

Experience has taught me that successful digital marketing is rarely about doing one thing exceptionally well. More often, it comes from making a series of sensible planned decisions that work together over time.

That approach has been shaped by running businesses, working within agencies, building websites, developing online shops and creating lead generation websites – helping organisations improve their digital presence.

How I like to work

Every project begins with a conversation.

Rather than arriving with a predetermined solution, I prefer to understand your business, your customers and the objectives you are trying to achieve. That allows every recommendation to be considered within the wider context of the business rather than in isolation.

Throughout the project you’ll know what is being done, why it matters and how it contributes towards the overall objective. I believe digital marketing should be explained in straightforward language rather than hidden behind technical jargon or complicated reports.

Above all, I believe recommendations should be honest. If I think something is likely to benefit your business, I’ll explain why. If I don’t believe it represents good value or is unlikely to make a meaningful difference, I’ll say so.

Continuing to learn

Digital marketing changes continually and staying up to date is an important part of my work. Alongside managing client projects, I regularly read industry publications, follow Google’s own guidance and keep informed through respected business and marketing resources.

Great resources for you as a business owner or manager.

Podcasts such as The Bottom Line, The Investors’ Chronicle, Agents of Change and the CIM Marketing Podcast, give insights as to how other businesses work, grow and operate. These are a great way to keep up with digital marketing and business trends.

Online publications including Search Engine Journal, Search Engine Land, The
Economist, Marketing Week, Think with Google and Google Search Central, can help you keep pace with developments in search, content marketing and digital strategy.

Learning has always been an important part of my career, but experience provides the context
that helps separate lasting principles from short-term trends.

Working with trusted specialists

Most projects can be delivered directly, but occasionally specialist expertise is required.

Over the years I've developed relationships with experienced designers, developers, photographers, videographers and other digital specialists who share the same straightforward approach to client work.

Where appropriate, I bring those people into a project while remaining your main point of contact throughout. That allows businesses to benefit from additional expertise without the complexity that can sometimes come with larger agencies.

Professional development

Alongside practical business experience, I am a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (FCIM) and have studied Digital Marketing to Level 6. I also completed the Cranfield University Business Growth Programme, which further strengthened my understanding of business strategy, leadership and sustainable growth.

Qualifications are important because they provide a solid foundation, but I believe they should support practical experience rather than replace it. My recommendations are based on both professional learning and many years of applying those principles within real businesses.

Businesses I've worked with

Throughout my career I’ve worked with organisations of different sizes across a wide range of sectors.

Projects have included helping a Glasgow-based podiatry clinic strengthen its local search visibility, supporting a specialist cheerleading retailer with e-commerce growth, developing marketing strategies for a workplace assessment provider and working with businesses in engineering, manufacturing, professional services and retail.

Although every business is different, the underlying objective is usually the same: attract the right customers, communicate more effectively and build a stronger online presence.

Looking ahead

Digital marketing will continue to evolve, but the principles that underpin successful businesses are unlikely to change. Understanding customers, communicating clearly and making informed commercial decisions remain just as important today as they were when I started in business more than 30 years ago.

The Digital Can has been built around those principles. It exists to help businesses cut through unnecessary complexity, make confident marketing decisions and invest in the activities that are most likely to make a genuine difference.

If that sounds like the way you'd like to work, I'd be delighted to hear about your business.

Let's start with a conversation

Every project starts with a straightforward discussion about your business, your objectives and the challenges you're trying to solve.

There is no obligation and no prepared sales presentation. Just an opportunity to explore whether I believe I can make a meaningful contribution to your business.

Arrange a telephone call, an online meeting or meet in person at a convenient location.