Web Design, SEO & PPC Shetland

Helping Shetland Businesses Grow Online Since 2006

With over 20 years' experience serving businesses of all sizes worldwide, Primo Interactive combines creative web design with commercial expertise to deliver websites that look exceptional and drive real results. We have a particular affinity with businesses operating in and around Shetland.

Why Choose Primo Interactive in Shetland?

Unlike some providers, every website we produce features fully compliant, hand-coded markup - optimised according to the latest search engine guidelines to boost your rankings and attract targeted customers. We seek long-term partnerships with our clients, not one-off transactions.

Whether you are a business owner in Shetland looking for a new website, a redesign of an existing site, or a comprehensive digital marketing strategy, our team has the experience, tools and techniques to deliver. We offer competitive rates and flexible packages tailored to your specific requirements.

Our Development Process

SEO Shetland

Search engine optimisation is essential for any Shetland business that wants to be found online. We have been helping businesses with their SEO since 2006 - improving organic visibility, driving qualified traffic and delivering measurable ROI. Every website we build is SEO-optimised from the ground up, not as an afterthought.

Getting Started

Obtaining web design quotations can be frustrating. We make it simple: contact us for a free, no-obligation consultation, following which you will receive a detailed proposal and quotation - no pressure, no jargon, no hidden costs.

“Your website is often the first impression a potential customer has of your business. In a competitive market like Shetland, that first impression has to count.”Andrew Roberts, Managing Director

More About Shetland

Shetland: Gateway to Business, Technology and Design

Shetland is a remote archipelago located at the northernmost extremity of the United Kingdom between the Scottish mainland and the Faroe Islands. Its 30 inhabited islands, along with many smaller uninhabited ones, have a rich cultural heritage and comprise the Shetland Islands Council area, a unitary local government created in 1975. The islands have long served as a crossroads between Scotland and Norway, and as a gateway to the North Sea region and beyond. With a population of 22,454 as of the 2021 census, Shetland has a notable business, technology, design and entrepreneurship presence.

Business in Shetland

Shetland may be a remote and sparsely populated archipelago but the islands have a long business history that goes back centuries. Most industries and activities have been shaped by the archipelago's fisheries, aquaculture and farming. The sector, which accounts for more than 4,000 jobs, is the main area of employment and output, followed by the service industry, retail and wholesale. Fishing also remains the most significant employer, and therefore the primary contributor to the island's economy, along with the oil and gas industry, which is largely based in the capital Lerwick. In recent years, there has been a marked growth in the number of businesses within the islands, with many diversifying into new and innovative sectors and activities.

Technology

Shetland is an attractive destination for those investing in technology and communications infrastructure. The islands are connected to mainland Scotland by the interconnector cables Eg-A and Eg-B. Eg-B's capacity is 2 MW and Eg-A stands at 32 MW, connecting the island to the National Grid. Recently, Shetland Islanders voted overwhelmingly in favour of a £500 million renewable energy project. This project seeks to turn the islands into the centre of a renewable energy hub by creating a 'virtual power plant' that will be fuelled by energy generated from tidal, wind and solar power. The project will reduce the archipelago's reliance on fossil fuels and enable the clean export of up to 500 MW of energy to the national grid.

The Shetland Islands promote technological innovation and commercialisation through the support of an innovation centre. The centre was established in 2011 as a partnership between Shetland Islands Council, Highlands & Islands Enterprise and several local business companies to provide support to would-be entrepreneurs and tech start-ups in the area. In recent years, the centre has played a pivotal role in the development of new digital technologies and emerging industries within the islands. It is also home to a wide range of technology-related businesses, such as Shetland-based software firm, Shap Social Enterprises, which was established to develop software solutions and support social enterprise.

Design

As well as having a vibrant and flourishing technology sector, Shetland has a thriving and innovative design industry. The design sector mainly focuses on product development, software, animation and digital marketing. Shetland is also home to internationally renowned design companies such as Shetland Design and Architecture, Fender Design and Elvala Ltd, all of which have built impressive reputations by creating innovative designs for clients across the UK and world.

The local government also places a strong emphasis on the area becoming a recognised design hub. This has led to a surge in the number of businesses investing in the sector, including a significant focus on the development of community-led campaigns and projects that embrace both virtual and physical approaches to design. From murals, sculptures and outdoor installations, to a range of interactive exhibitions, Shetland boasts a wealth of modern and traditional designs throughout the islands.

Commerce

Shetland also has a strong and fast-growing tourist industry, which accounts for a significant portion of the islands' income. There are a vast array of diverse attractions to draw visitors, including the stunning scenery, heritage sites, abundant wildlife and fascinating history. Shetland also has an excellent transport infrastructure, providing numerous ferry and air links to the mainland and abroad. In recent years, there has been an effort to boost the islands' retail sector, which has resulted in the development of many innovative shopping complexes.

One of the largest is the Anderson Store, which was opened in 2011 and is home to a range of high-quality stores and eateries. The complex also houses a wide range of local companies, including Shetland Textiles, which make hand-crafted knits and garments. Further, the Shetland Fiddler's Society, which has its own museum in Lerwick, provides a unique look at the cultural history of the islands.

Entrepreneurship and Investment

The development of an entrepreneurial and investment-friendly environment in Shetland has been crucial to the islands' economy in recent years. The local government has introduced many initiatives to create a supportive environment for start-ups and small businesses, while the development of an innovation centre has been instrumental in supporting entrepreneurs. The centre includes workspace and mentoring support, and modern facilities such as 3D printing and rapid prototyping.

The government has also put in place various tax reliefs and support schemes for businesses wanting to invest in Shetland, as well as providing significant grants and funding for a range of business awards and events. Moreover, the launch of the Shetland Investment Fund in 2019 has provided the opportunity for local businesses to access capital from the government and private investors, with more than £15 million being made available for investment in local companies.

In addition, the islands benefit from Government subsidies for renewable energy, as well as a 10-year tax holiday to attract investment. This has enabled many new business opportunities to emerge, allowing local entrepreneurs to firmly establish themselves as leaders in their respective sectors.

Demographics

According to the 2021 census, the population of Shetland stands at 22,454, with 92.1% of the population having British or Irish nationality (21,177). Of these, 98.3% of the population identified as White British (20,892). The population is distributed across the islands, with the town of Lerwick having the largest population of 14,379. The second largest settlement is Brae with a population of 1,509.

Shetland is a predominantly rural area, and although the archipelago has seen a population increase since the beginning of the 21st century, the rate of growth has slowed in recent years. The islands are sparsely populated, with much of the territory being uninhabited. The majority of the population is concentrated in the town of Lerwick, which accounts for 65.1% of the total population of Shetland. The other main settlements are in the South Mainland, where 60.7% of the population live, and Unst, the northernmost island in the archipelago, with a population of 1,160.

Conclusion

The success of Shetland as a business, technology and design hub is a testament to the region's entrepreneurial and innovative spirit. Although the islands are remote and sparsely populated, they have become a focal point for new investment, service innovation and sustainable development. The future of Shetland therefore looks bright, and its commercial and technological development continues apace. The combination of its investment-friendly environment, growing population, and historic and cultural significance, make the Shetland Islands the ideal base for businesses looking to grow and develop.

More Towns & Cities in Shetland

Primo Interactive proudly serve businesses located in and around: Sand in Shetland.