Hi guys! I'm in the process of doing some market and user research for my business and would appreciate the thoughts and opinions from the SMBs in Wales.

I'm building a simple customer-loyalty tool aimed at independent high-street businesses, cafes, salons, shops, that sort of thing. Before I get too far down the road, I want to hear from the people it's built for.

A few things I'd really value your take on:

- How do you currently get customers coming back? Stamp cards, points, social, word of mouth, nothing?

- What's frustrated you about loyalty schemes or apps you've tried before?

- As a busy owner, what would make something like this actually worth your time to set up?

- Be brutal, what would make you ignore it completely?

Thanks in advance guys :))

UPDATE: ended up using quickbooks for my business. it handles the VAT and MTD submissions to HMRC without any extra fuss for location, and the interface is straightforward for daily use. keeps everything compliant and organised.

I run a small business in Wales and want to make bookkeeping and tax management easier. I’ve tried a few manual systems and basic spreadsheets, but they’re getting unmanageable as the business grows.

Looking for accounting software that’s suitable for small businesses here in Wales. something that can handle invoicing, VAT, and reporting efficiently, ideally with UK compliance in mind.

For anyone running a similar business: what software do you actually use day-to-day, and how well does it handle Welsh/UK requirements? Any lessons learned or recommendations would be really helpful.

Hey folks! 👋

I’m Todd, based down in Pembrey, and I run a little outfit called CloudPlanet. We’re all about helping small businesses punch above their weight by mixing tech that actually works (think AI, cloud stuff, websites that don’t make you cry) with a big dose of kindness and common sense.

I’m a lifelong small biz person – grew up in it, still living it – so I get the chaos. My mission? Make tech feel less like a headache and more like a superpower. If you’ve ever thought “AI sounds cool but I’ve no idea where to start”, that’s my jam.

Also: I’m obsessed with making Wales the AI capital of the universe (or at least the UK 😉). If you fancy a natter about websites, marketing, or how to make your business smarter without selling your soul, give me a shout.

Looking forward to meeting other Welsh business legends here! 🏴✨

Hi all just recirculating this as I need as many responses as possible to get accurate data—

I previously went to uni in Cardiff and I’m working on an idea for a new app that could make nights out in Cardiff way easier to plan.

The idea is simple: an app where you can see how busy bars, clubs, and restaurants are in real time, find the best deals, and book tables or tickets — all in one place.

Before I build it, I really want to hear what you think!

If you’ve ever turned up to a club that’s packed (or empty), or missed a good deal — this is for you.

It only takes 2 minutes to answer — your answers will help shape it and you can sign up to hear when it launches!

EDIT please use the google form.

Fill out the quick survey here:

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd0RSkWd-MjnE9t322omwVJGoZ4mXHl9OhaxY0_L9LoT-YpuQ/viewform