Total Guide to celebrates twelfth anniversary

The diverse and agile online marketing platform founded by entrepreneur Liz Ledger is celebrating its 12th anniversary.

Total Guide to Ltd began in 2012 located in the South West town of Swindon, Wiltshire and now has digital news platforms covering Bath, Bristol, Reading, Dorset, Cardiff and Manchester with future plans aiming at covering other towns and cities across the nation.

Liz, who lives in Dorset with her family, said: “I started with a vision for creating a guide for every city or large town around the UK for the local community, businesses, tourists, charities and other organisations to engage. 

“The aim is to create an online community with useful local information, news, events, offers which is sustainable financially and which becomes part of the fabric of a local business community.

“It’s about embracing the amazing opportunity presented by digital while not forgetting the importance of knowing each other in the real world.” 

The first Total Guide To began in Swindon – Bath and Bristol soon followed – Reading was launched in 2014 with Manchester going live the same year. In 2020, the Cardiff site was set live and the Dorset site evolved in 2023.

A year ago the franchise model was launched to spread the brand across the country. Several other cities and large towns are currently under consideration as Total Guide to looks to expand throughout the country providing it’s services to as many communities as possible.

Back in 2012, Liz started the business from her basement flat in Bristol with just herself in the team. Today there is a core team of full-time employees at the Swindon HQ, which currently includes two apprentices, and with several freelancers across the country.

Liz said: “It’s been an amazing journey for the business and for me personally. I’d like to thank my brilliant team and all of the businesses, charities and organisations who have supported me so far and those which continue to do so.” 

During 2024, the team has grown in terms of staff, website development/re-design, franchisees and strategic business partners such as social media influencers and bloggers and videographers. For more information visit www.totalguideto.com