Social media has helped a company boost custom, cut advertising budgets and win a prestigious global award.
A small firm in Hereford has won a global award for its effective use of the internet to build its business.
Wiggly Wigglers, a country gardening company, beat competitors from all over the world to be named Global Dell Small Business Excellence award.
It sells organic gardening supplies, including wormeries, seeds and flowers.
Dell was particularly impressed in how founder and director Heather Gorringe had utilised social media - including Facebook, podcasting and blogging - to drum up more interest from customers.
Facebook fans currently number around 900, with more than 170 discussion topics on the page.
Wiggly Wiggler also hosts its podcasts from the so-called Wiggly sofa - reaching thousands of listeners per week.
It now serves 90,000 customers worldwide and delivers its products across Europe.
In addition, it has cut its advertising budget by 80 per cent by turning to social media over traditional advertising.
"We are thrilled to receive this award and can't wait to start blogging and podcasting with our customers all over the world to let them know," said ms Gorringe.
The prize includes £25,000 in Dell technology and services and a featured participation in a global entrepreneurs' summit, plus a ten-year membership to the Accredited Chambers of Commerce.
Small businesses can use the internet in many creative ways to heighten comptetiveness.
Recently the Internet Advertising Bureau advised companies using online technology to boost custom to monitor their campaigns on a daily basis.
Jack Wallington, programmes manager, explained: "Because there is so much competition around they [businesses] really need to look at their campaigns on a daily basis.
"That is the great thing about the internet - measurability and adaptability."
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