The digital era has created opportunities for businesses to unlock greater success than ever before. However, the competition to get seen (and, more importantly remembered) is fierce.

Research suggests people may interact with up to 10,000 brands daily. So, how can you make sure that yours is one that sticks out for the right reason? Let’s find out.

 

1- Stand Out On Platforms They Already Trust

Given that people interact with so many brands, one of the first things they’ll question is whether they trust yours. Appearing on platforms that they already trust can make all the difference. Marketing services like Algebra can help you truly tap into the power of Google through paid ads and Google Shopping. The search engine remains the most used resource online. So, this one step instantly aids your cause. 

Depending on the nature of your business, utilising online directories can be another wise move. Not least if you can gain positive customer reviews.

 

2- Get Seen In Multiple Places

It is suggested that you’ll need about eight touchpoints to gain a conversion. Therefore, it’s essential that you build a multi-faceted approach that hits users from every angle. One of the easiest ways to do this is to automate social media posts. When content is published to every platform, you will reach larger audiences. Moreover, people that interact with your company on multiple platforms won’t be able to miss the content.

Where possible, try to capture user contact details too. This will allow you to send newsletters, SMS messages, and other campaigns for a powerful punch.

 

3- Be Consistent

Increased visibility in multiple places is one thing, but it achieves very little if your message is confused. Cutting corners in branding hits profits hard, and not least because people won’t choose you if they are unclear on what to expect. Using consistent tones and language will be vital. However, it’s equally crucial to have consistency relating to colour schemes, logos, and other visual features.

If you post content on a certain day of the week, keep it up. This way, you’ll become a feature of their ongoing schedule. perfect.

 

4- Give Consumers A Voice

One of the most effective ways to strengthen the connection is to create a two-way interaction. Digital marketing allows you to step away from the traditional one-way marketing efforts. Whether it’s encouraging user-generated content or using Survey Monkey to hear their opinions is up to you. Either way, though, you must actively listen to cultivate a community vibe and become a major part of their lives.

Better still, they will tell you what they want from the brand. Provide it to see conversions and long-term loyalty soar. 

 

5- Be Unique

Finally, your brand needs a unique presence. Authenticity is the only way to achieve this. You have a passion for the business and what it stands for. Make sure that this is a key part of your story at all times. It may alienate some outside audiences but it’ll also win over the right people. It’s far better to succeed in a niche audience than fail due to a generic approach and lack of stanford out qualities.

 

While building a brand that people can’t ignore doesn’t guarantee success, it will put you on a smoother path.

As the UK heads into peak wedding season, guests across the country are preparing to celebrate—while also keeping a close eye on their finances.

From multiple invitations to destination ceremonies, the cost of attending weddings can add up quickly. Christie Cook, Managing Director of Retail at Hodge Bank, offers practical, budget-friendly advice to help guests enjoy every celebration without breaking the bank.

“With many people attending several weddings over the summer, the financial burden can start to overshadow the joy of the events

“By planning ahead and being smart with spending, guests can celebrate the love without the stress of overspending.”

Set a Realistic Budget Early On
“Start by getting a clear picture of all the weddings you’ve been invited to, because travel, gifts, accommodation, and pre-wedding events all add up.

“Once you know how many you’re attending, assign a total budget and break it down per event. It’s perfectly okay to spend more on close family or best friends, and a bit less on distant invites. Prioritising helps keep your spending intentional.”

Give Great Gifts Without Overspending
“Gift-giving doesn’t have to stretch your wallet, consider teaming up with friends for joint gifts, shop off-registry for something personal, or give a cash gift that fits comfortably within your budget.

“Don’t be afraid to shop off-registry, a thoughtful, personalised gift often goes much further than a big-ticket item. If you’d prefer to give cash, set a limit that feels comfortable for your budget, not one based on pressure.”

Cutting Travel and Accommodation Costs
“Book early and look at ways to share costs with other guests, group bookings, car sharing, and staying just outside the venue are all simple ways to save

“Flexibility helps too: travelling off-peak or staying slightly outside the venue area can offer big savings.”

Budget-Friendly Tips for Destination Weddings
“If you’re attending a destination wedding, treat it like a mini-holiday – but as with any holiday, plan ahead. Book flights and accommodation early, use price alerts, and check if other guests want to share costs.

“While it’s tempting to splurge while abroad, setting a daily spending limit keeps things on track. Packing smart can also save you from unexpected costs, no one wants to buy essentials at airport prices.”

Outfit Hacks for Wedding Season

“Think of your wardrobe as a capsule collection, a simple dress or suit can be styled multiple ways. Renting or swapping outfits with friends is another great option that keeps costs low and looks fresh.”

Hen and Stag Do Spending Boundaries
“Pre-wedding parties can be just as costly as the big day itself, don’t be afraid to be honest about your budget.

“Choose one or two key activities to attend and politely skip the rest—your financial wellbeing comes first.”

Enjoy the Season Without Financial Stress
“Weddings are about celebrating love and friendship—not about how much you spend, with a little planning and a clear budget, you can enjoy the season fully while keeping your finances on track. Your future self will thank you.”

Being a wedding guest shouldn’t come at the expense of your financial wellbeing. With a clear budget and a few savvy choices, it’s entirely possible to enjoy celebrating your loved ones’ big moments without the stress of overspending.

Millions of workers in the UK are missing out on tax reliefs worth hundreds of pounds a year, simply because they don’t know they exist.

Lee Murphy, Managing Director of The Accountancy Partnership, online accountants for small businesses, contractors and freelancers, urges British employees to take action now.

“The rules are generous in some areas, and you don’t have to be an accountant to benefit from these types of tax reliefs; you just need to know exactly what you can claim. 

These are the five most common tax reliefs we see people forget about, and some people can get hundreds of pounds back per year that they’ve been missing out on.”

Murphy addresses the five most common tax reliefs that are most forgotten about by the average British worker, which they could be entitled to just by ringing up HMRC.

1. Remote workers can receive tax relief of up to £62 a year 

“If you are required to work remotely, and your place of work has no office or your contract states that you must work remotely, then you can claim a flat rate of £6 a week without needing to show any bills. This should help you cover additional costs of heating, lighting and Wi-Fi.

This equates to £62 a year for a basic-rate taxpayer. However, this is only if your contract states that you are required to work from home; unfortunately, if it’s your own choice, then you won’t be able to claim the additional allowance.”

2. Professional fees and subscriptions can get you tax relief of £50-150 per year

“If you have to pay a membership fee to be part of a professional body or trade union in your role, then you can claim this cost back. 

Of course, this varies industry-by-industry, but workers should typically be able to claim back £50-150 each year. 

For example, nurses that are paying the NMC fee or engineers who have to pay a membership to their professional body will be able to claim this back. If your employer has paid for this themselves, then you won’t be able to reimburse this.

There’s a link on the HMRC website of approved subscriptions and professional bodies that will be entitled to this relief, before everyone starts subscribing to every newsletter they can think of!”

3. Wearing a uniform means you can receive tax relief of up to £60 a year

“If you’re in a role that requires you to wear a uniform, then you can claim tax relief back for having to purchase this yourself. 

You can either claim the actual amount you’ve spent on the items, or your role might have a ‘flat rate expense’ in which it’s worth checking beforehand.

The tax relief will reduce the amount of tax you pay on the clothing. For example, if you claim a flat rate expense of £60 and pay the basic tax rate of 20%, then you’ll pay £12 less tax.”

4. Specialist equipment can get you £50-100 per year in tax relief

“If you work in an industry where you have to provide your own tools and specialist equipment, such as a hairdresser purchasing scissors or an electrician buying power tools, then you can claim this back. 

Again, this will vary person-by-person, but on average, we see workers claiming back around £50-100 each year for this, as long as there isn’t significant private use.”

5. Work-related travel costs can get you £150+ in tax relief each year

“If you’re being asked to travel somewhere that isn’t the place listed in your contract, then you’re able to claim back either travel costs or mileage costs. If you use your car, then you’ll be able to claim 45p back per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p after that.

This covers travel to client visitors, conferences, off-site meetings and even team-building events. Most people forget about the latter, but don’t forget to keep hold of any parking receipts too, which you can also claim.

However, if you’re not a driver, then you can still claim if you cycle to any off-site visits. Cyclists can also claim 20p per mile!

It’s also worth noting that overnight expenses when working away, if required to do so, can also be claimed. These can only be claimed if your employer hasn’t reimbursed you for this. However, if the employer has only reimbursed some of the expenditure, then the rest can be claimed from HMRC.

For regular travellers, this can easily be £150+ extra in your bank account each year.”

A new study has estimated that approximately 3.1 million policyholders in the UK are at risk of having their home insurance cancelled or voided, all due to making simple errors. In the last year, around 7% admitted to doing something that could lead to their policy being cancelled, equal to millions nationwide who could be left without protection when they need it most.

The figures come from Go.Compare home insurance, which applied its latest survey results to ONS data to calculate the number of people at risk of losing their policy. The home insurance comparison site said several factors can cause a policy to be cancelled, including missing payments or failing to give accurate or up-to-date details.

The most common error is falling behind on home maintenance tasks, which just under 4% of policyholders admitted to. Insurers expect properties to be kept in good condition, and can cancel a policy if the home isn’t properly looked after.

Approximately 1.19% didn’t update their insurer about damages to the property, while 1.01% said they didn’t inform them about a change of circumstances, like a new job or occupant. A further 1.15% didn’t tell their insurer about home improvement works, and 0.23% simply didn’t give all the information they should’ve. The same percentage admitted that they’ve missed some payments.

Yet, most of these policyholders know these errors can cause their insurance to be cancelled. Over three-quarters (78%) admit they’ve knowingly done something that could get their policy cancelled, equal to 2.4 million policyholders nationwide. This is despite the fact that it could leave them especially vulnerable if their property suffers any damage.

Just under a quarter (22%) didn’t know the consequences of these errors, equal to 693,575 policyholders unaware that their home insurance could be cancelled.

Go.Compare said that having a policy cancelled can also have a long-term financial impact, as some insurers will ask if you’ve had a previous policy cancelled when determining your premium. The comparison site’s figures show that home insurance costs are almost twice as high for those who’ve had a policy cancelled.

The median price paid for combined buildings and contents cover is £230 for those who haven’t had insurance declined in the past, but jumps to £449 for those who have. Similarly, the median for buildings-only cover is £205 for those who haven’t had a previous policy cancelled, but £450 for those who have, while contents-only cover increases from £65 to £133.

Nathan Blackler, home insurance expert at Go.Compare, said: “Insurance policies often require certain conditions to be met to remain valid. So, in some instances, insurers can reject a claim or cancel your policy altogether, and you would have to cover any costs yourself. Yet, many policyholders are knowingly taking this risk.

“If your policy is cancelled, you’ll likely see higher insurance costs in the future, so it’s critical you do what you can to ensure your cover remains valid. For example, regularly check that all the information is up to date. Every policy is different, so make sure you familiarise yourself with the conditions and exclusions so you’re aware of any restrictions that apply to you.

“Keep your policy documents safe so that you can check them when you need to, and make a note of the key points if it helps. This way, you can be sure that you know how to keep it valid and avoid any unwanted costs in the future.”

More information about cancelled home insurance policies can be found on Go.Compare’s website.

Unlocking home equity can be a useful way to access funds based on the value of your home. The amount of mortgage you have outstanding impacts the amount you have access to, and there may be other limits depending on the type of scheme you opt for. However, using the funds for renovation, for example, can increase the value of your property. From unlocking certain loans to how equity impacts your future, here is what you need to know.

Establish The Value of Your Property

Aside from remortgaging and lending against assets, there are a few ways you can access the equity of your home. Of course, it begins with understanding what you have to work with.

Exploring survey and valuation services in your area can help you get a good idea of the value of the property so you can secure equity based on its value. For example, a home worth £150,000 with an outstanding mortgage of £70,000 has a potential of £80,000 equity.

Loans for Unlocking Home Equity

A home equity loan provides funds with a fixed interest rate and one off lending fee: 

  • You can access a large lump sum of money that can be used to renovate the home.
  • A fixed rate means you can anticipate repayments, making it easier on your finances.

Lifetime mortgage

A lifetime mortgage delays repayment until after death or moving into long-term care. However, the interest is added to the loan month by month, and the debt is settled when the house is sold at a later date.

Home reversion

You can sell a portion of your home to a company that will pay you a lump sum. You can stay at the property without paying rent, and you don’t pay back the money until the house is sold.

The potential risks

These schemes can be helpful, but they come with risks. Mostly, the risk is in the accrual of debt, which can add up quickly, reducing the home’s value and reducing future family inheritance.

Accessing the equity of your home through loan schemes is a good idea on paper.  However, there is still some risk, mainly in how the debt can rise because of interest, and a loss of total home value.

Avoiding Some of the Risks

Of course, there is never an absence of risk when accessing any type of funding scheme, especially when it comes to mortgages and properties. The biggest risk you face with some of these, no matter how useful, is losing your house. That could be a disaster that ends in foreclosure. While you can’t avoid risk, you can offset it somewhat. Obviously, ensure you have the ability to pay any loans you take out, and try not to take out the maximum available amount.

Always Seek Professional Advice

Even looking into one of these schemes is enough to make your head spin! There are so many terms, facts and figures that reading through them is tiresome and tedious. So what can you do? Fortunately, there are experts out there who can help you navigate the cold waters of financing. If you are unsure about anything, it is best to seek professional advice. When doing so, be aware of fees, though, and ask as many questions as you need to for the info you need.

The Future of Unlocking Home Equity

The average homeowner who has already released equity from their property has seen a 7.5% average rise in home value over the past five years. However, equity release can have a major impact on property value, which can in turn affect your future finances:

  • You can use the money from equity release to renovate and increase the home value.
  • However, more debt now can affect future financial applications.
  • The type of loan you choose can negatively affect your budget and repayment terms.

Timing It Right

Is there a good time or bad time to release home equity? The short answer is no, there isn’t. Everyone has a different situation, and there are so many variables that there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The important things to consider are your personal needs and financial goals. Ask if you really need to, what you will use the money for and whether you can realistically afford it.

Summary

Understanding your home’s value is the first step to unlocking home equity. From there, you can make decisions regarding which equity release product(s) to consider. 

 

If you are a freelancer just starting out or are having trouble getting things off the ground, it is important that you build your business foundations. Once you have your core pillars in place, you will find that it is smooth sailing from there. 

To grow your business, you are going to need to deploy a variety of strategies in different areas of your business to build and support your growth. Marketing is going to be a key part of this, but what most people fail to do is set themselves up in other areas, such as finances, skills, market positioning and customer support. If you only focus on marketing your business, even if you do attract clients, you are not going to have the foundation to serve them and scale your business. 

The right strategies will enable you to drive the right people to your business more efficiently and cost-effectively, build a loyal following with repeat customers and word-of-mouth referrals, make the right investments back into your business and scale your business easily. 

 

To support you on your business journey, here are some of the most important strategies you need in place to grow your business. 

1 Build your brand

You need to have a clear, solid and consistent brand that stands out in your market. Start by defining your niche, which is a specialist and specific area within your industry. Define your core purpose, mission and values, and craft your target audience through market research and conversations with people in your industry. This will help you pull together a story and personality for your business, as well as a visual identity. Your branding is what customers are going to see, and it needs to resonate with them and be memorable from your competitors. This needs to be clearly defined and created, so it can be used consistently throughout all of your products, services and marketing. If you don’t have one, or keep changing it, people are not going to get to know you or trust you. 

2 Organise your finances 

Finances are a vital part of your business. While you might want to set up your brand and hit the ground running, you are quickly going to come up against challenges if your finances aren’t in order, and even worse, you may face costly penalties if your finances are not organised correctly or compliantly. Finances don’t just help you build your business, but they fuel all areas, including marketing, as well as ensure you are legally compliant in your country. You need to have a clear budget and forecast to get your business going and growing. You need to consider how you can build financial resilience, manage risks and irregular income, avoid debt, and plan for your taxes. Taxes are one of the most critical parts of your business, and it may be that you work with a specialist tax consultant to support you in this area.  

3 Ensure integrated business operations

Depending on the size of your business and your budget, the operations of your business may differ. Regardless, it is vital that you have the right tools and systems in place so that your business, customer service and workflows all run smoothly and efficiently. Consider what tasks can be automated and outsourced, so you are not overwhelmed and no bottlenecks are created. 

 In-house tools like HubSpot are especially beneficial at this stage. HubSpot provides a free plan that enables you to start building robust cross-channel marketing, analytics, and customer care. As can be seen from this HubSpot plan comparison, these benefits don’t quite compete with paid offerings such as between-software integrations, but they can help you to streamline as you grow, without the financial outlay seen from many other integration-based alternatives. 

4 Prioritise your customers 

Your customers are the heart of your business, and it is vital that you treat them as such. When you prioritise them, you are putting them at the centre of all your tasks, from product/service development to marketing campaigns. This is essential, as everything you are doing is for them. Speak to them, send out surveys, run focus groups and have conversations with your target audience and learn as much as you can about them, so you can really get specific with all areas of your business. Some businesses make the mistake of thinking they know best, which is only going to waste time and money. Not only should you integrate this into development and marketing, but also the customer support that you offer. Make sure you listen actively, learn their needs and solve their problems. Be consistent and always offer high-quality, valuable and efficient service. 

5 Strategically market your business

Marketing is how your business gets seen by your target audience. Without effort in this area, you are going to find business very slow and difficult to come by. However, marketing doesn’t just mean random ads and social posts. There needs to be a solid strategy behind it, built with all your market research incorporated into it. This will help you to really refine your strategy and speak directly to your target audience. If you don’t, you risk wasting budget and effort casting too wide a net. Instead, you want to drive intentional traffic to your website. You should define clear goals, find out what channels will meet your target audience and determine your unique value proposition. Develop your messaging according to your target audience and your business mission, and then craft specific campaigns across the relevant marketing channels, for example, social media. Leveraging these platforms and search engine optimisation (SEO) will help you to build a sustainable and organic stream of traffic.

6 Network and position yourself as an authority 

Networking is key in any industry. The more you put yourself out there, speak to different people, attend and host events and get involved in communities, you will find that your recognition, trust and authority skyrockets. Crafting your business image as a thought leader and an authority in your industry will not only give you recognition, but will help build long term trust and drive people right to your business. It will support all of your marketing campaigns and help you get more eyes on your business.

It is difficult to start and run a business, let alone be seen in your industry. Use these vital strategies to hit the ground running and build a business you can be proud of.

A new study has revealed that the UK’s broadband users could be missing out on up to £1.2 billion worth of savings, simply because they aren’t switching providers regularly enough. It found that users can save an average of £58 on their annual broadband bill by switching to the cheapest deal available for the same speeds when their contract runs out.

Despite this, over three-quarters (77%) of broadband users don’t switch as often as needed to maximise savings, equal to 21 million households across the country. As a result, the nation is missing out on a fortune of broadband savings.

The research comes from Go.Compare broadband. It estimated how many households could switch providers more often by applying its latest survey figures to ONS data. It then calculated the average maximum saving if they switched to a cheaper package offering the same speeds, based on its internal sales data.

The comparison site says that the optimum time to switch is at the end of a broadband contract, which will be around once every one or two years for most users. Based on this, it recommends that Brits start to compare deals around 30 days before their current contract ends.

But, only around a fifth (23%) of users routinely change their provider every year or when their contract ends, and almost a third (32%) admitted that they’ve never changed providers.Older users are especially unlikely to perform this routine switch, with just 18% of over-54s saying they do so, compared to just over a quarter (26%) of under-35s.

Surprisingly, lower-income households were found to be less likely to switch providers, despite the potential savings on offer. Two in five (40%) of those on a lower income stated that they’ve never switched providers, compared to a quarter of higher-income homes. This means that those struggling the most might be missing an opportunity to cut costs.

Matt Sanders, broadband expert at Go.Compare, said: “Things like introductory rates and mid-contract price rises are commonplace in broadband deals, so you’re more likely to see costs creeping up if you stick with the same provider for a long time. This means you can usually find a cheaper deal by comparing packages when your contract is up, without having to settle for slower speeds.

“The best time to compare deals is around a month before your contract ends, as this means you’ll avoid paying any early exit fees. Changing providers is much more straightforward these days, too, as Ofcom launched its ‘One Touch Switch’ process last September. When you buy a deal from a new provider, they’ll tell your current provider that you’re leaving, so there’s no need to be put off by the thought of switching being a hassle.”

More statistics about switching broadband providers can be found on Go.Compare’s website.

You know that feeling when you order something online and it arrives looking, well, pretty questionable? Like the logo looks like someone whipped it up in Microsoft Paint, the packaging is giving “Amazon box with a bit of tape,” and then you’re left wondering if you just wasted your money. Honestly, none of this is exactly confidence-inspiring, right? It’s like businesses that do that don’t even want to bother with elevating their business. So what’s even the deal with that in the first place?

Well, that’s what happens when businesses cut corners on branding. They think they’re saving cash, but really they’re whispering to customers, “Hey, don’t take me too seriously.”Okay, maybe it’s not that direct, but it still gives a clear message, and once people clock that, it’s hard to win them back.

Bad Branding Hits Your Wallet Pretty Hard

For starters, customers don’t sit there analysing your brand like it’s a case study. Why would they? They’re not making a pro and con list. Instead, they’re going with gut instinct. Does this look trustworthy? Does it look like someone’s put effort into it? Well, if the answer’s no, they’re already moving on to the next option before you’ve had a chance to pitch yourself.

Oh, and it’s not just about losing one sale either. In fact, cheap-looking branding can chip away at your reputation. In that case, you’re spending way more time and money trying to convince people you’re worth it. Basically, repairing trust costs a whole lot more than just getting the branding right to begin with. It’s just not worth it to mess up from the beginning, either.

Looking Polished isn’t that Expensive

Now, this isn’t exactly saying you need to splash out on embossed packaging or a designer who charges the same as a new car. Sure, that’s what luxury brands do, but expectations for them aren’t the same as they are for you and your business (well, most likely). But you do need to look like you care. And yeah, like what was already mentioned, customers notice the details. They notice if your logo looks the same on your packaging as it does online. They notice if your stuff feels put-together instead of slapped together.

But in all seriousness here, it doesn’t take a fortune to nail this. Even small touches can make you look ten times more professional. Something as simple as rectangle stickers on packaging instantly makes it feel intentional instead, and customers like stickers anyway, well, good-looking ones at least. It just shows you’re actually putting in an effort.

There’s the Hidden “Trust Tax”

Well, when your branding looks cheap, people assume your product is too. That’s pretty harsh, right? So, that’s the hidden cost no one talks about. You end up lowering your prices, offering discounts, or bending over backwards just to convince people to buy. It’s not exactly a great place to be. But flip it around, though, and good branding does the opposite.

You Can Spend Smart and Cheap

The whole “cheap now, pay later” thing applies big time in business. It’s a principle you’re just going to have to forever keep in mind because saving a few cents on branding might feel clever in the moment, but if it makes customers question you, it’s going to cost you far more than it saves. To sum this all up here, strong branding doesn’t have to drain your budget. It just has to make customers feel confident choosing you.

Ofcom has reported that 1.6 million people have already used its new One Touch Switch process to move broadband or landline provider, making it quicker and simpler than ever to shop around for a better deal.

But, according to financial wellness platform Money Wellness, millions of low-income households are still missing out on even bigger savings because they don’t realise they could qualify for discounted broadband and phone social tariffs.

Social tariffs are specially discounted deals available to people on certain benefits, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit and some disability benefits. They can cost as little as £12-£20 a month, which is often half the price of standard packages. And could save households around £200–£250 a year.

Yet take-up remains low. Of the 4.3 million eligible households, only around 220,000 (5.1%) are currently signed up. That means millions are still paying over the odds.

Thomas Gibbons, a money adviser at Money Wellness, said: ““It’s brilliant to see so many people taking advantage of Ofcom’s One Touch Switch. Switching has never been easier. But we’re worried too many low-income households are being left behind. Social tariffs could make broadband and phone bills genuinely affordable, yet most people who qualify don’t even know they exist. We speak to hundreds of people every day who have never heard of them or understand how they can help reduce their bills.

“With the cost of living still tight, we’d urge everyone to check today if they qualify for a social tariff. It could save you hundreds of pounds a year, and switching couldn’t be simpler.”

While major providers such as BT, Virgin Media, Sky, and Vodafone offer discounted plans for eligible low-income households, not all providers have introduced social tariffs. Availability can also vary by location. And some smaller or regional providers, for example Quickline, KCOM, and YouFibre, may offer social tariffs that are not widely advertised.

Money Wellness is urging households not to miss out on support that could help ease the pressure of rising bills.

Gibbons adds: “Take just half an hour this week to check what tariff you’re on – it could save you hundreds of pounds a year. If you’re on a low income or receive means-tested benefits, such as Universal Credit, there’s a good chance you qualify for a social tariff. If you’re unsure where to start, speak to your current provider first; they can often help you switch to a cheaper deal before you even need to look elsewhere. If they don’t offer a social tariff, you can find a complete list of providers who do on Ofcom’s website. And if you need to switch, just contact the provider you’d like to join, and One Touch Switch will handle the process for you. It’s really straightforward and easy to do.”

A new study has revealed that 1.3 million UK households could be missing out on a cheaper broadband deal simply because of forgetfulness. The research found that over three-quarters (77%) of broadband users don’t switch providers as regularly as needed to maximise savings. Of these users, 6% said they don’t switch more often because they just forget to look for better deals.

As a result, these households could be missing out on an average saving of up to £58 on their yearly broadband bill, if they switched to the cheapest deal available for the same speeds. This means users are leaving up to £76.6 million worth of savings up for grabs nationwide.

The research comes from Go.Compare broadband, which applied the results of its latest survey to ONS data to estimate how many homes are forgetting to switch regularly. It then compared how much Brits pay for their broadband to its internal sales figures to calculate how much could be saved by switching.

Women in particular are twice as likely to forget to look out for cheaper broadband deals. Around 8% of women who don’t switch regularly gave forgetfulness as a reason, compared to 4% of men. Younger users are also more likely to make this error, as one in 10 under-35s who don’t switch regularly stated that forgetfulness was a reason why. Just 4% of over-54s make the same mistake.

While many users cited forgetfulness, convenience was the most common reason for not changing providers more often. Of those who don’t switch regularly, around two in five (39%) gave this reason, saying it’s easier to keep their current provider, despite the introduction of Ofcom’s One Touch Switch process last year.

A similar percentage (37%) said they don’t switch if their current provider has been highly reliable. A smaller proportion (16%) admitted they didn’t think they’d be able to find a cheaper deal, despite the high potential savings on offer. Others said their provider delivers good customer service, or that their package includes a TV deal they want to keep, both of which were picked by 15% of those surveyed.

However, many users said they will change if they are unhappy with their provider for some reason. Just over a fifth (22%) said they usually switch when their provider increases prices, while one in 10 said they do so if their service becomes too unreliable. A smaller percentage (2%) said they would switch if their provider starts slowing down their speeds.

Catherine Hiley, broadband expert at Go.Compare, said: “Things like introductory rates and mid-contract price rises are commonplace in broadband deals, so you’re more likely to see costs creeping up if you stick with the same provider for a long time. This means you can usually find a cheaper deal by comparing packages when your contract is up, without having to settle for slower speeds.

“The best time to compare deals is around a month before your contract ends, as this means you’ll avoid paying any early exit fees. Of course, it can be easy for this to slip your mind, so it’s worth setting a reminder on your phone or calendar for when it’s time to look over deals.

“Changing providers is much more straightforward these days, too, as Ofcom launched its ‘One Touch Switch’ process last September. When you buy a deal from a new provider, they’ll tell your current provider that you’re leaving, so there’s no need to be put off by the thought of switching being a hassle.”

More statistics about switching broadband providers can be found on Go.Compare’s website.