Somerset's economy is changing. Walk down any high street from Taunton to Minehead and you'll see the same mix of traditional shops and services that have served the community for decades. What you can't see from the pavement is how many of these businesses are quietly modernising behind the scenes, adopting digital tools that would have seemed impossibly complex just a few years ago.

The shift isn't happening because of trendy tech buzzwords. It's happening because local businesses are finding practical solutions, like online marketplaces and the business cloud, to real problems they face every day.

The government's SME Digital Adoption Taskforce found that small businesses are adopting digital solutions at accelerating rates, with even modest technology adoption showing significant productivity gains. For Somerset's small businesses, often operating with lean teams and tight margins, these improvements make a genuine difference.

Take the typical scenario: a family-run business in Bridgwater with three employees, a small office and clients scattered across Somerset and beyond. Traditional filing systems mean someone needs to be in the office to access important documents. When a client calls with a question, you're either at your desk or you're apologising for the delay.

The business cloud solves this without requiring a complete business overhaul. Files become accessible from anywhere, whether you're at a client meeting in Watchet or working from home during school holidays. It's not revolutionary technology but it makes daily operations considerably smoother.

Somerset's rural character has traditionally presented challenges for businesses. Serving clients across a geographically spread area means lots of travel time, and staff working remotely from villages outside main towns faced connectivity issues and limited access to business resources.

Digital tools are turning these challenges into advantages. A graphic designer in Dulverton can serve clients in Bristol just as easily as someone with a city centre studio. An accountancy practice in Williton can offer the same level of service as larger firms in Exeter or Bath—all without the overhead costs of expensive office space.

This matters particularly for attracting and retaining talent. Young professionals want flexibility, and Somerset businesses that can offer remote working options alongside the quality of life that comes with living in this part of the country have a genuine competitive edge.

The hesitation many Somerset business owners express isn't about the technology itself but about trust. Handing over your business data to faceless tech companies feels risky, particularly when you hear about data breaches affecting major corporations.

This concern is entirely reasonable. Your client list, financial records and business correspondence represent years of work and relationships. The key is choosing providers whose business model involves protecting your data rather than monetising it. Not all cloud storage services operate the same way, and doing proper research before committing makes all the difference.

Local business networks and chambers of commerce across Somerset have been instrumental in helping members navigate these decisions, sharing experiences and recommendations that cut through the marketing noise.

The businesses succeeding with digital transformation aren't the ones making dramatic overnight changes. They're taking measured steps, often starting with one specific problem and finding a digital solution that works.

Perhaps it's moving invoicing online to reduce paperwork and speed up payments. Maybe it's centralising customer records so everyone on the team can access them, or simply ensuring that important documents aren't trapped on a single computer that could fail at any moment.

Somerset's business community has always been characterised by practicality over flash. That same sensibility is guiding how local businesses approach digital tools, adopting what works and ignoring what doesn't. The result is a gradual but genuine transformation that's strengthening businesses across the region.

The businesses succeeding with digital transformation aren't the ones making dramatic overnight changes. They're taking measured steps, often starting with one specific problem and finding a digital solution that works.

Perhaps it's moving invoicing online to reduce paperwork and speed up payments. Maybe it's centralising customer records so everyone on the team can access them, or simply ensuring that important documents aren't trapped on a single computer that could fail at any moment.

Somerset's business community has always been characterised by practicality over flash. That same sensibility is guiding how local businesses approach digital tools, adopting what works and ignoring what doesn't. The result is a gradual but genuine transformation that's strengthening businesses across the region.