Participating in a digital training programme tailored to the needs of small businesses has helped Everything Dinosaur learn more about the use of AI.  Team members have been working with Digital Cheshire and learning about some of the ways in which Artificial Intelligence (AI) can help small companies.  It’s not all one way.  For example, Sue agreed to be a speaker and panel member at a recent training seminar.  It’s one of the ways that we try to help other businesses.  In addition, we provided an article detailing the support to businesses provided by Digital Cheshire and their partners.  The article has been posted up on Digital Cheshire’s website.

Why Does Digital Training Matter?

It is important for small businesses to develop the appropriate skills.  For example, learning how digital marketing can help them expand and attract new customers.  Furthermore, social media can be used to connect with and inform both customers and potential customers.  It is also important to have an optimised and fully functioning website.  The Everything Dinosaur website is safe and secure.  Moreover, it has been optimised to support customers who access it via a mobile phone as well as other devices.

Having a fully optimised and secure website is exceptionally important. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Meeting and networking with other business owners also helps.  Delegates at the training courses can pick up tips and receive advice.  Participants can learn from each other’s experiences.  For example, Mike from Everything Dinosaur has been mentoring several local businesses as part of an initiative entitled “The Board That You Cannot Afford”.

How Have Businesses Changed Since the Training

Real, tangible developments have been delivered.  We have heard how the effective use of social media has helped small firms.  Updates to the websites have led to improvements in mobile responsiveness and an enhanced user experience.  In addition, more companies are feeling confident about using AI, and delegates have been able to expand their networks.

We try to encourage people to learn new skills.  To invest in themselves and their teams.  Developing new skills and embracing change is vital in competitive, ever-changing environments.

Hopefully, the advice that Sue and Mike have provided has helped.  Furthermore, Sue’s participation on an advisory panel and speaking at events has helped to encourage other would-be entrepreneurs.

The Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur.

On-line businesses have to evolve constantly.  Keeping abreast of the latest developments and ensuring the website is optimised is essential, especially in a niche market like dinosaur models. At Everything Dinosaur, we recognise the need to ensure our website is as user-friendly as we can make it.  As the behaviour of browsers and visitors change we want our site: Dinosaur Models and Toys to remain helpful and informative.

The company is committed to continuous learning.  Fortunately, team member Mike has been able to participate in some training courses organised by Digital Cheshire.  This organisation provides business support programmes to help local firms achieve more in the ever-increasing digital world.  Moreover, Digital Cheshire help communities to access ultrafast broadband.  Access to super-fast broadband is vital, especially when it comes to shopping on-line.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur has recently taken part in workshops organised by Digital Cheshire.  A better website means happier customers. This translates in more purchases of dinosaur models. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Dinosaur Models and Digital Training

Having participated in the training, Digital Cheshire requested some feedback on the workshops and training programme. Mike was asked to contribute an article to Digital Cheshire’s blog outlining how the training programme has helped the business.

Digital Cheshire requested an article covering the following:

• An introduction to the business.
• Why is digital important to your business?
• What you then learnt during your time with Digital Cheshire?
• Since attending the masterclasses what are you doing differently?

Mike from Everything Dinosaur updating website information and checking product details. For this company working in a niche market, it is important to make sure the website is optimised and updated. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

About Everything Dinosaur

The first part of the article, introducing Everything Dinosaur was the easiest.

Everything Dinosaur is an on-line retailing that specialises in the sale of museum quality dinosaur and prehistoric animal models. Formed in 2005 the company has built up a world-wide customer base in what is a niche market, supplying dinosaur fans and model collectors.

As an on-line retailer digital marketing is extremely important.  We are extremely active on social media (as our many of our customers), it is important for us to understand this dynamic sector.  For example, thanks to the training offered by Digital Cheshire, we have become better informed about the impact of AI.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur stated:

“By investing in digital training, we ensure Everything Dinosaur is equipped with the latest strategies to enhance our on-line presence.  We have always had a busy social media presence.  However, by learning new skills and updating our knowledge we can attract more customers, and ultimately foster a deeper passion for dinosaurs among enthusiasts of all ages.”

Contact Everything Dinosaur to learn more about this award-winning company: Email Everything Dinosaur.

Everything Dinosaur has received an exciting set of new marketing assets.  These new assets include badges, banners along with items that can be used in printed materials.  They have been supplied by Feefo, the independent customer service ratings company.  Our team members are delighted with these new marketing tools.  Moreover, we are entitled to use the five out of five stars customer service badges.  We are one of only a handful of businesses that have consistently scored top marks for our customer service.

Feefo, the independent customer service ratings agency has rated Everything Dinosaur’s customer service as “Exceptional”.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“It is great to receive such recognition.  We take great care of our customers and always do our best to assist them.  Feefo has produced an array of helpful symbols, badges and banners that we can use in our marketing.  Feedback from customers is vital.  Furthermore, we are delighted to have achieved and maintained our 5-star customer service rating.”

Visit the Feefo website to see genuine customer reviews: Genuine Customer Reviews on Feefo.

A Five-star Rating for Everything Dinosaur

The highest award given for customer service by Feefo is five stars.  We receive hundreds of testimonials from customers each year.  Our rating has been consistently high, and we are now officially rated as “exceptional”.

Customer service rated as “Exceptional”.

Gathering feedback and comments from customers is vital. It provides valuable insights into their needs and preferences, allowing businesses to improve products and services while fostering stronger customer relationships.  Moreover, these new badges permit the company to highlight its track record for delivering exceptional customer service.

Five out of five for customer service.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur added:

“We intend to use these new Feefo badges and banners in our social media posts.  In addition, we can highlight our expertise in customer service on LinkedIn.  Feedback from customers means a great deal to us, we really do value all the feedback we receive.  In addition, receiving validation such as this makes our day!”

To take a look at an award-winning and customer friendly website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.

A great boost to our business! We have received our renewed membership certificate from the South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce.  Everything Dinosaur supporting a local business network.  We have an international customer base, but we also recognise the need to play an active part in our local business community.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur proudly holding the company’s 2024 South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce membership certificate. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur Members for Over a Decade

Having been a proud member for over 10 years, we recognise the invaluable support the Chamber provides to local businesses. Membership has not only connected us with a vibrant network of like-minded professionals but has also offered us essential resources and opportunities for growth.  We have thousands of customers overseas.  Thanks to the support from our local Chamber, we have been able to develop strong links with dinosaur fans and model collectors all over the world.

Through workshops, networking events, and collaborative initiatives, we’ve gained insights that have directly influenced our success and community engagement.  We have been able to support students with their career development, offer work experience and we have learned so much about business.  Team members have been able to share their knowledge of prehistoric animals too :).

We have even won awards for our customer service: Everything Dinosaur Wins Top Award for Customer Service.

Everything Dinosaur’s South Cheshire Chamber of Commerce (SCCCI) membership badge.

Supporting the Local Community

Mike from Everything Dinosaur commented:

“We are proud members of our local Chamber of Commerce.  Our membership not only connects us with local businesses but also provides invaluable resources and support that help us thrive and grow in our community.”

A heartfelt thank you to the South Cheshire Chamber for their continued support! Here’s to many more years of collaboration and growth together!

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Toys.

Everything Dinosaur is approaching its third decade of being in business.  Our little business has developed a formidable reputation for customer service and for providing sensible purchasing advice.  The other day, we were asked for our top tips when it comes to shopping on-line during the run up to the festive season.  This got us thinking.  Normally, we are providing information to customers about prehistoric animal models and dinosaur toys.  However, we are always up for a challenge, and we prepared a short list of our top tips.

Sharing a passion for dinosaur toys – Sue and Mike from Everything Dinosaur. Can we provide some advice about on-line shopping?

The Joys of Dinosaur Toys – Our Top Tips for On-line Shopping

• Start early!

It is never too early to start shopping for a special occasion.  There is a lot of uncertainty surrounding global logistics at the moment.  Our advice is to begin your shopping early, after all, you don’t want items to sell out and for your loved ones to miss out.

• Make a List

Start by creating a list of presents you want to buy. This approach keeps you organised and focused.  It also prevents impulse purchases.  Even those tempting ones that you can barely resist but keep disciplined and stick to your list.

• Set a Budget

Work out your spending limit.  Sticking to a budget helps you avoid overspending. Budgeting helps keep your finances healthy.

Check Customer Reviews and Comments

• Check Customer Reviews and Feedback

Read customer reviews to assess product quality and seller reliability. This practice can save you from potential disappointments. Look for Feefo reviews or similar tools that provide genuine and verified customer feedback.  Websites can post up fake reviews. They can be difficult to spot. However, independent review companies post up only genuine feedback and comments from actual purchasers.

Look for independent customer reviews such as those from Feefo. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Everything Dinosaur has received thousands of reviews.  Reviews are published on the company’s website, and they are helpful and informative.  In addition, Everything Dinosaur has won several awards for its excellent customer service.

Top customer service award for Everything Dinosaur: Everything Dinosaur Wins Top Customer Service Award (2024).

• Plan for Shipping Times

Please keep in mind shipping times.  The recommending posting date for most international surface mail services for the festive season has already passed.  During the holiday season delivery networks are going to become very congested. We recommend that you shop early to ensure gifts arrive on time for the big day.  We supply lots of dinosaur toys to children, we do all we can to ensure a swift despatch and a speedy delivery.

• Stay Safe and Secure

Take care when shopping on-line. Remember the old adage – “if it sounds to good too be true, it probably isn’t true”. Always shop from reputable sites and use secure payment methods. Look for “https://” in the URL to protect your information.  If unsure, send the company an email, or give them a ring.  Contact details should be clearly displayed and a chat with team members can help to put your mind at ease.

With these tips, you’ll prepare to tackle your holiday shopping with ease! Happy shopping!

If you need any advice about purchasing for the young palaeontologists in your family, you are welcome to email us: Contact Everything Dinosaur.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.

In the competitive world of e-commerce, maintaining a clutter-free website is crucial for attracting and retaining customers. This is especially true for niche markets, such as dinosaur toys. When you tidy up your website and remove out-of-production or retired items, you create a more streamlined shopping experience.  Team members at Everything Dinosaur have been carefully checking the site.  New updates are planned and prior to their implementation, retired items, no longer available have been removed.

Mike from Everything Dinosaur updating website information and checking product details. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

New Stock of Dinosaur Toys Due This Month

We are going to have a busy October.  This month, we are expecting deliveries from PNSO, Haolonggood and Beasts of the Mesozoic.  More stocks of prehistoric plush and dinosaur toys are also due to arrive.  Prior to their arrival, time was spent this week checking the website’s functionality.  It’s all about giving visitors a good experience.

A clean and tidy website enhances the user experience.  Shoppers can easily find the dinosaur toys and other items they are interested in.  Most purchases are undertaken in less than two minutes.  An efficient, well laid out website helps customers.

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Everything Dinosaur and Dinosaur Toys.

Tidying up your website reflects your company’s commitment to quality. When customers see that you care about them, they are more likely to trust your brand and return for future purchases. We have successfully completed the tidying up of the website and optimised it for our customers.

In summary, regularly updating your website by removing retired items, particularly in niche markets like dinosaur toys, is essential. It enhances user experience, improves search engine results, and builds brand trust—key factors for success in today’s digital marketplace.

To enquire about a prehistoric animal model or indeed any part of our huge inventory of dinosaur toys: Email Everything Dinosaur.

CollectA and Beasts of the Mesozoic prehistoric animal models feature on a pair of slides created by Everything Dinosaur for TetZooCon. These slides are part of a presentation that had been especially prepared for the annual TetZooCon event.  In total, five new for 2024 CollectA models were highlighted along with a quintet of recent Beasts of the Mesozoic figures.

CollectA prehistoric animal models feature on a slide prepared by Everything Dinosaur for the recent TetZooCon event in London. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the two ranges of CollectA models in stock at Everything Dinosaur:

Not-to-scale CollectA models: CollectA Age of Dinosaurs Popular.

CollectA models with a declared scale: CollectA Deluxe Models.

Highlighting Prehistoric Animal Models

Highlighting dinosaurs and other prehistoric animal models in a slideshow is helpful for the audience. It showcases unique features and details that attract interest. In addition, the audience can be informed about new figures being added to ranges. For example, the Beasts of the Mesozoic slide highlighted five new additions to this range, including the albino Zuniceratops figure.

Five new for late 2024 Beasts of the Mesozoic prehistoric animal figures feature on a slide prepared for the TetZooCon event. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

To view the Beasts of the Mesozoic range of articulated figures: Beasts of the Mesozoic Figures.

The slides were quite easy to create.  Visual presentations engage attendees and spark discussions. They help collectors appreciate the diversity of models and their significance.

A spokesperson from Everything Dinosaur commented.

“We appreciate that this was the last ever TetZooCon.  However, the event organisers have exciting plans for next year.  We have been delighted to be able to support this excellent convention.  We are looking forward to revealing more information about the 2025 event, it’s going to be special.”

The award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys and Models.

Everything Dinosaur is supporting the amazing TetZooCon event once again this year.  The company is a sponsor of this fantastic event, now in its eleventh year.  TetZooCon is an annual meeting centred around the world-famous blog Tetrapod Zoology.  There will be presentations, book signings, art demonstrations, discussion panels, workshops and talks from leading exponents in their field.  This event gives us the opportunity to highlight some of the prehistoric animal models that we stock.  For example, the slideshow we have compiled will include PNSO dinosaur models.

The PNSO figures Mateo the Tyrannotitan and Xilin the Wuerhosaurus feature on one of the slides.  The stegosaur Wuerhosaurus is shown on the left with the Tyrannotitan model on the right. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

The image (above) shows one of the slides from our TetZooCon presentation.  It features the recently introduced PNSO Tyrannotitan and Wuerhosaurus dinosaur figures.

To view the range of PNSO prehistoric animal models in stock: PNSO Dinosaur Models.

PNSO Dinosaur Models Including Megalosaurus bucklandii

This year, 2024, marks the 200th anniversary of the first, formal scientific description of a dinosaur.  Megalosaurus bucklandii was described in 1824 (Buckland). Megalosaurus was a large, bipedal predator that could reach lengths of up to nine metres. Characterised by its robust body, sharp teeth, and powerful limbs, Megalosaurus was likely an apex predator in its ecosystem. Its scientific description in 1824 played a pivotal role in the early understanding of dinosaurs, marking the beginning of palaeontology as a scientific discipline.

It seemed fitting that we should include a slide featuring the PNSO Megalosaurus model in our presentation.

Celebrating the 200th anniversary of the first scientific description of a dinosaur (Megalosaurus bucklandii). Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Best wishes to the organisers and to everyone attending TetZooCon 2024.

Visit the award-winning and user friendly Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Models and Toys.

It’s an early start today (Sunday)!  While most people unwind over the weekend, for us, Sunday is a good day to pick and pack orders for customers.  Our commitment ensures that each parcel is ready for a prompt despatch the next working day (Monday).  We are already receiving orders for the December festive season.  We might have just wished our chums in China a happy mid-autumn festival, but customers are already placing orders for dinosaur toys for the festive period.

Mike in the warehouse ready to start picking orders for customers. By working over the weekend, he can ensure that customer’s orders are despatched promptly on Monday. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Picking and Packing Dinosaur Toys and Prehistoric Animal Models

As the clock ticks, Mike meticulously sorts through Everything Dinosaur’s vibrant selection of dinosaur toys and prehistoric animal models.  The company has thousands of models in stock. He carefully checks each order, ensuring that every toy meets our high-quality standards. Mike understands that these toys and figures spark imagination and joy in children, making his role even more meaningful.

With a keen eye for detail, he efficiently organises the toys and models, packing them securely to withstand the journey to their new homes. Our streamlined process not only speeds up dispatch, but we also check to ensure we have the right parcel contents.  After all, there are so many T. rex figures to choose from these days. Customers eagerly await their dinosaur toys, and Mike takes immense pride in being part of that excitement.

New for 2024 Haolonggood dinosaur models. Tlatolophus galorum and the horned dinosaurs Sinoceratops and Kosmoceratops.  Models are being prepared and packed ready for despatch. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

By the end of his shift, Mike ensures that all orders are neatly packed and labelled, ready for collection on the next working day. We try our best to pack promptly and despatch rapidly.  Everything Dinosaur, has a tremendous reputation for customer service.

So, next time you receive a parcel filled with dinosaur toys, remember the effort that went into making that delivery possible, thanks to Mike and Sue and their commitment.

Visit Everything Dinosaur’s award-winning and customer friendly website: Dinosaur Toys.

With on-line sales, customers can feel removed from the sellers. In this fast-paced digital world, placing an order on a website is extremely convenient, but do you know the people behind the dotcom address? At Everything Dinosaur, we believe in being open and honest with our customers. We have always encouraged dialogue, and our customers have got to know us (Sue and Mike).

For us, it’s about being authentic and true to ourselves.  Authenticity is essential in the on-line world. When a person allows their true self to shine through, they create a genuine connection with customers.  Recently, we were asked to make a video about some training that had been undertaken.  We were happy to oblige.  However, inevitably we made some mistakes during the filming process.  Rather than banish these errors to the editing suite dump bin forever, Sue and I thought we would share them with you.

We will post up on our blog and our social media platforms a bloopers reel!

Sue and Mike from Everything Dinosaur will feature in a short bloopers reel on their social media pages. The video will highlight some of the outtakes from a recent video shoot. Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur.

Picture credit: Everything Dinosaur

Authentic Everything Dinosaur

People appreciate transparency and are drawn to relatable personalities. Sharing moments of imperfection, like bloopers from filming, showcases your human side and makes your brand more approachable.  Being yourself fosters loyalty and trust.  Customers like to feel they are dealing with real people, rather than a faceless business entity.  Building connections leads to stronger relationships with customers.

To read our earlier blog post about the training and to see the video discussing the training courses: Everything Dinosaur Customer Service and Training.

Additionally, showcasing humour and authenticity can differentiate the company’s brand in a crowded marketplace.

Our bloopers reel will be posted up on Friday (13th September), we are not superstitious, we have no worries about posting on this date.

So, when you embrace your quirks and share those light-hearted moments, you not only entertain but also strengthen your business identity.

Remember, it’s the genuine connections that often turn customers into lifelong supporters.

Look out for our bloopers reel this Friday!

Visit the award-winning Everything Dinosaur website: Dinosaur Toys.