A Shropshire networking group which supports women in rural enterprise has launched a new-look website with the help of one of its own members.
Helen Culshaw and her team at Ascendancy Internet Marketing in Shifnal, have spent several months working with business leaders at WiRE (Women in Rural Enterprise) to develop the new interactive site, which keeps members up to date on news and events.
Ms Culshaw, who has been a member of WiRE for nearly 10 years and is a regular guest speaker at workshops and seminars run by the organisation, said: “WiRE has grown its membership considerably over recent years and strengthened its networks across the county.
“This year the organisation celebrates its 17th anniversary so launching the website to coincide with this seemed a great way to celebrate the success of WiRE and the hundreds of female entrepreneurs it has helped over the years.
“Through the new website members can now access and upload their own news and information and book an event at one of the 60 local area networks quickly and easily, and early figures indicate that it is being extremely well used.
“We have seen a huge change in visitor engagement since the site went live with page views are up 46 per cent. The length of time people stay on the website has also increased, along with the number of pages visitors view in one session.
“It has been a really exciting project for me to work on having had an active role in WiRE for several years.
“The website is a huge support for other business women like myself and a great platform for sharing advice and information.”
The WiRE network was first established by Izzy Warren-Smith, a senior lecturer at Harper Adams University in Edgmond, to provide business support to female entrepreneurs.
Fiona Davies, from WiRE said: “Feedback about the new website has been incredibly positive, people really like it and find it easy to navigate.
“One unintended benefit that we have seen since the website went live is a marked increase in new members which is fantastic. We’ve also had a lot more requests from businesswomen wanting to become network leaders.”
Women looking to join WiRE can visit the website at www.wireuk.org and for more information on the services offered by Ascendancy Internet Marketing visit www.ascendancyinternetmarketing.com.