When to hire an agency vs build in-house: an honest framework
Should you hire a marketer or bring in an agency? An honest, un-conflicted framework — including the hybrid most growing SMEs actually need.
Measuring marketing without a data team: the five numbers that matter
You do not need an analyst or expensive software to measure marketing well. You need five numbers, tracked consistently, and the discipline to act on them.
What a realistic marketing budget looks like for a UK SME
How much should you spend on marketing? Real reference points, a simple way to set a figure that fits your business, and the mistakes that quietly waste most SME budgets.
Local SEO for UK small businesses: the fundamentals that still work in 2026
For a business that serves a defined area, local search is often the highest-return channel there is. Here is what still works in 2026, in the order we would tackle it.
How to write a marketing brief that gets you a better result
A good brief is the cheapest way to get a better result from any marketing spend. Here are the eight things every brief should answer — and a quick test before you send it.
CM Beyer selects Hostinger as new web hosting and digital infrastructure partner
CM Beyer Limited has migrated its hosting and infrastructure to Hostinger, one of Europe's fastest-growing web…
Site outage 12–14 May: what happened and our apology
Our website was unavailable from 12 May until earlier today. We're sorry. Here's a factual account of what happened, why it took so long to resolve, and what we're doing to make sure it doesn't happen again.
Why we don’t run content marketing
We write a fair amount on this site. We don't, however, run content marketing. A note on the difference, and why it matters for how clients should evaluate our work.
On apprenticeships and entry-level hiring
We don't currently hire apprentices or graduates. A short explanation of why, and what we're doing differently to develop early-career talent in the meantime.
Notes on the UK SME consulting market in spring 2026
Three months in, some observations on the UK SME consulting market — what we're seeing in demand, pricing, and where the gaps are.
What is Generative Engine Optimization (GEO) and how does it differ from SEO?
Generative Engine Optimization is the practice of structuring content so AI tools like ChatGPT and Claude cite it. Here is how GEO differs from SEO.
CM Beyer publishes ESG framework and governance commitments
CM Beyer Limited has published its ESG framework, covering environmental policy, social responsibility, corporate governance, supply chain standards, modern slavery commitments, and anti-bribery policy.
Starting a Business in the UK: CM Beyer publishes practical guide
CM Beyer has published a step-by-step guide to starting a business in the UK, covering company formation, tax registration, compliance obligations and the first 90 days of operation.
Small Business Marketing Benchmarks UK 2026: what good looks like
CM Beyer has published a marketing benchmarks report for UK small businesses, covering Google Ads, Meta, LinkedIn, SEO, email and website performance data for 2026.
April in numbers: month three
A short data-driven look at how April actually went — engagements, proposals, hires, and what the numbers say about where we're heading.
How AI Overviews are changing UK search traffic in 2026
Google AI Overviews are reducing click-through rates for informational searches. What UK businesses are seeing and how to respond.
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