46/52 Boost Business Growth: Free Business Resources & Skill Swap Ideas

KEY CONCEPT:  Small business growth doesn’t need money. Swap skills, use free tools, and tap local support to boost marketing, productivity, and confidence at zero cost.

This is the 46th of 52 articles about what business owners can do to grow their businesses.

Introduction

Business growth is sometimes squashed as a concept by a small business owner, who assumes it will be expensive and because the cash flow won’t support any expenditure right now. But what if growth only required time and maybe a bit of negotiating with another like-minded business owner facing a similar quandary? Imagine the collaborations you could do?

Let’s look at this from two perspectives. Firstly, what skills could I trade with another business owner (a skills swap)? Secondly, what free resources are out there that I can tap into?

Popular Skill Swap Ideas

Keeping this simple, what are the strengths that you can swap with someone else’s in an area you struggle with?

1. Social Media ↔ Accounting / Bookkeeping

• Business A: Creates content, schedules posts, or sets up social profiles.
• Business B: Helps with bookkeeping, invoicing systems, or tax prep basics.

2. Graphic Design ↔ Product / Service Access

• Business A: Designs logos, brochures, menus, or packaging.
• Business B: Provides free samples, service credits, or testing opportunities.

3. Website Support ↔ Copywriting

• Business A: Fixes website issues, improves speed, or updates pages.
• Business B: Writes or edits blog posts, product descriptions, or newsletters.

4. Marketing Strategy ↔ Admin Assistance

• Business A: Helps with SEO, campaign ideas, or email automation.
• Business B: Offers administrative support, such as scheduling, customer follow-ups, or data entry.

5. Photography / Videography ↔ Free Promotion

• Business A: Takes photos of products, team members, or a space.
• Business B: Posts promotional content, gives testimonials, or features the partner in newsletters.

6. IT Troubleshooting ↔ Event Hosting / Space Sharing

• Business A: Fixes tech issues, sets up software, or offers cybersecurity tips.
• Business B: Provides event space, meeting rooms, or pop-up stall locations.

7. HR / Hiring Help ↔ Product or Service Trade

• Business A: Helps write job descriptions, offers interview tips, or sets up HR templates.
• Business B: Gives coupons, products, or discounted services.

8. PR / Media Outreach ↔ Catering / Hospitality

• Business A: Writes press releases or contacts local media.
• Business B: Provides snacks, refreshments, or event support.

9. Business Coaching ↔ Brand Photography

• Business A: Offers a goal-setting or strategy session.
• Business B: Provides professional photos for social media or websites.

10. Email Marketing Setup ↔ Customer Research

• Business A: Sets up mailing lists, automation, or templates.
• Business B: Conducts surveys, gathers feedback, or creates customer personas.

Would you like some rapid wins?

• Editing a blog post ↔ posting a Google review
• Writing a product description ↔ creating a simple Canva graphic
• Sharing business contacts ↔ sharing access to tools or templates
• Proofreading a newsletter ↔ answering a short technical question
• Providing a workspace for a day ↔ offering professional headshots

Free Resources

It is worthwhile taking some time to read through the suggestions here and choosing one item/topic to research in detail. In what area of your business do you feel most lacking? Start there.

1. Help to Grow: Management Essentials
   A free, short online course for small business leaders, covering key business growth and management concepts. It provides tools and knowledge to strengthen leadership and operations for profitable scaling up. [1]
   How to use it: Take the modules to sharpen your strategy, then apply the learning to lower the cost of planning and decision-making.
2. UK Government – Business Support & Templates
   The official UK Government site offers free downloadable templates (business plan, cash flow forecast) and guidance. [11]
   How to use it: Use templates rather than buying expensive software or hiring advisers for early planning.
3. Enterprise Nation – via its StartUp UK programme
   Free e-learning, toolkits, guides, templates and workshops covering essentials like branding, social media and making your first sale, aimed at startups/new entrepreneurs. [12]
   How to use it: Enrol in the e-modules and download the guides/templates to reduce time and cost in areas such as branding, marketing, or getting started.
4. BizBubble-&-Wenta Small Business Hub
   A free resource hub offering webinars, advice, and training in business skills. [13]
   How to use it: Attend webinar(s) on cost-control, efficiency or growth and apply practical actions.
5. Free productivity, finance, market research & digital tools
   For example: free UK invoicing tools at OwnBoss, free accounting tools, free social media scheduling tools. Also, a curated list of genuinely free tools for website building, social media, marketing, and analytics. [2] [6] [14]
   How to use them: Replace paid/subscription tools with free alternatives where feasible To replace, for example, invoicing, social media scheduling, free or low-cost cloud storage, project management, communication, some accounting software to reduce overheads immediately; with, for example, OwnBoss, Canva, Buffer, Google Trends, Google My Business, Mailchimp, SurveyMonkey, HubSpot Marketing Hub, Trello, Asana, Slack, Teams, Zoom, Hootsuite, Google Analytics, Keyword Planner (Google Ads), AnswerThePublic (keyword research), Facebook and Instagram Business Tools, etc.
6. Federation of Small Businesses (FSB) & local business support
   A vast library of free advice, articles, templates, local growth hub support guides, and on-demand webinars on topics such as tax, employment law, marketing, etc. [15] [16]
   How to use it: Pick an area you are weak in, and use their guides instead of paid legal advice initially. Book a consultation or use their materials to understand cost-savings, regulatory compliance, and growth opportunities.
7. Digital adoption support: Help to Grow: Digital
   Free online guidance (plus discounts) to adopt digital tools which boost productivity and reduce costs. [17]
   How to use it: Evaluate whether digital tools (e.g., CRM, accounting, e-commerce) can replace manual or costly processes.
8. The British Library Business & IP Centre (via Help to Grow)
   Free support network, training, and event access through libraries nationwide. [17])
   How to use it: Visit your regional library branch, attend free workshops on strategy or IP, and get access to business databases for free.
9. Small Business Britain – Small & Mighty Enterprise Programme
   Offers free weekly expert teaching, mentoring and peer network for small business owners. [18]
   How to use: Enrol for fun, use the mentoring sessions to build a simple action plan — low cost, high leverage.
10. King’s Trust / Free Online Starting Business Course
    A free online course (6-12 weeks) giving help to craft business plans and marketing strategies. [19]
    How to use: If you’re starting out or planning a new direction, take the course to build foundations without cost.
11. UK Government – “Finance & Support for your business” portal
    A free directory of support and advisory services, finance schemes and grant guidance from the government. [8]
    How to use: Search by region/sector for free advice, funding leads or grants you may qualify for.
12. Free Regional Grants Listings & Opportunities
    Although not entirely “free” in cost (you may need to match-fund), many local councils publish free guides to available grants for small businesses (including digital transformation and green investment). [20]
    How to use: Allocate time to find and apply for grants rather than paying someone to research for you.
13. Small Business Britain
    This organisation offers free access to reports, events, training, and mentorship programs designed to champion and accelerate small businesses across the UK. It includes sustainability programs tailored to financial benefits for small businesses. [3]
    How to use: Allocate time to research the website and take advantage of their offering.  
14. Cost-Saving and Efficiency Resources
    Guides and practical tips on reducing costs, such as auditing software subscriptions, renegotiating supplier contracts, and adopting energy-efficient equipment, are freely available and help optimise overheads. [4] ​How to use: Allocate time to auditing your current commitments and unsubscribing/cancelling or renegotiating your contracts.

Tips on Getting the Most Out of Free Resources

• Make a schedule: Allocate time to complete free courses or use free tools. Don’t let them sit unused. E.g. choose one resource per week and set aside 1-2 hours to explore and apply it. Block the time in your diary as if it were a meeting.
• Select and prioritise one focus area where cost savings + growth potential intersect (e.g., switch to free invoicing + focus on marketing).
• Measure progress: track, e.g. “How much time did I save by switching tool X?” or “What growth did I get from applying strategy from course Y?” or “What did you save by using free vs paid?”
• Combine multiple resources: e.g., use a free guide (Enterprise Nation) + attend a webinar (BizBubble) + apply a digital tool (Help to Grow Digital) + local support to create cost-effective growth.
• Stay updated: Many free schemes evolve regularly. Check for new tools, discounts, and support by checking the portals every 3-6 months.

Practical Strategies for Cost Control and Growth

If your cash flow is tight and preventing growth strategies, when did you last review these to check you were not wasting precious finances?

• Regularly review and cancel unused subscriptions or downgrade services.
• Renegotiate supplier agreements for better rates.
• Invest in energy-efficient technology supported by rebates.
• Leverage digital tools to automate tasks and improve productivity.
• Engage in free learning and mentorship programs to strengthen business acumen.

In Conclusion

Besides swapping skills with another business owner, finding free resources, and stopping paid-for services, remember I offer a free business review (up to 2 hours). I aim to identify at least one way you can easily improve your business. I often find several! Get in touch via the link below, and let’s schedule a meeting.

#HaywardHub #MakeADifference #ChangeOneThing #BusinessGrowth #SkillSwapForSmallBusinesses #FreeBusinessGrowthStrategies

To book your free business review or learn more about what we do at the Hayward Hub, please visit our website here, follow me on LinkedIn, or connect with me on Facebook.

Other blogs in this series

47/52 Seek Mentorship or Join Business Support Groups. Coming soon

45/52 Sustainability: Grow Your Business AND Protect the Planet. Published 18/11/2025

44/52 Diversify Your Supply Chain: Build Resilience & Grow. Published 11/11/2025

References

1. https://www.gov.uk/government/news/government-launches-new-free-business-management-course-for-small-businesses
2. https://therebelschool.com/the-best-free-tools-and-resources-for-starting-a-business-with-no-money-in-the-uk/
3. https://smallbusinessbritain.uk
4. https://jycaccountants.co.uk/2024/09/25/how-to-cut-costs-without-cutting-corners-in-your-small-business/
5. https://www.franksaccountants.co.uk/cost-saving-for-smes/
6. https://originworkspace.co.uk/blog/free-tools-for-entrepreneurs/
7. https://eclarity.co.uk/10-practical-ways-to-reduce-it-costs-for-small-businesses-in-the-uk/
8. https://www.gov.uk/business-finance-support
9. https://www.pegasusfunding.co.uk/10-ways-to-reduce-overheads-in-your-business/
10. https://fundingpool.co.uk/mastering-cost-reduction-guide-uk-small-businesses/
11. https://www.gov.uk/write-business-plan
12. https://www.enterprisenation.com/startupuk
13. https://bizbubble.co.uk/small-business-hub/
14. https://www.ownboss.co.uk/
15. https://www.harlowbusiness.org/support-and-advice/general-support
16. https://www.fsb.org.uk/
17. https://www.business.gov.uk/start/#
18. https://www.smeweb.com/free-support-programme-to-bridge-uk-small-business-skills-gap
19. https://freecoursesinengland.co.uk/creating-a-business-start-up
20. www.smallbusiness.co.uk