Thomas Cole

What Thomas Cole does

Thomas Cole Digital Ltd is a privately held UK digital agency founded in 2004 and headquartered in Chorley, Lancashire. The firm delivers bespoke software, web development, digital marketing, and design/print services to small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), primarily in the North West of England, with stated willingness to serve clients beyond the region. Its service catalog is organized into four categories: Search & Marketing (SEO, PPC, social media, email marketing, content marketing, eBay integration), Web Development (brochure sites, e-commerce builds, bespoke builds, domains/hosting/SSL, site maintenance), Design & Print (branding, print collateral, digital graphics, photo/video, signage/packaging), and Software (booking systems, custom integrations, EPoS systems, delivery systems, admin systems, accounts integration).

The company's core technology capability centers on custom-built solutions rather than off-the-shelf CMS platforms such as WordPress or Drupal. Thomas Cole builds bespoke content management systems, performs API integrations across REST, JSON, XML, and SOAP protocols, implements service-oriented architecture, and develops workflow automation between disparate software systems. Full-stack capability spans front-end user interface design and back-end server-side development. Technical differentiators are customizability and integration/interoperability rather than platform ownership.

Thomas Cole operates a sales-led, professional services model with a horizontal SME focus. Revenue is generated through project-based bespoke work, recurring support contracts (including a published £85/hour non-urgent support rate with 30-minute minimum billing), and ongoing web hosting, domain, and SSL subscriptions. Go-to-market relies on direct engagement via website, phone (01257 794862), and an online marketing calculator that helps prospects estimate budget and ROI. The company is founder/owner-operated under Company Director Tony Dickinson, with no disclosed external investors, parent company, M&A, or funding rounds.

Name

Thomas Cole

Legal name

Thomas Cole Digital Ltd

Website

https://thomascoledigital.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Thomas Cole Digital Ltd is a privately held UK digital agency that designs bespoke software, builds websites, and delivers digital marketing and design services to small and medium-sized enterprises, primarily in the North West of England.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Web Development & Digital Marketing Services

NAICS

Advertising, Public Relations, and Related Services (5418), Software Publishers (513210)

SIC

Services-Advertising Agencies (7311), Services-Mailing, Reproduction, Commercial Art & Photography (7330)

akta.pro primary industry

Software/SaaS Subscriptions (Consumer & Prosumer) (CRAFAIAB)

Keywords

• Bespoke web development
• Digital marketing services
• Custom software development
• Search engine optimisation
• Branding and design

Headquarters

HQ city

Chorley

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Professional Services: Revenue generated from bespoke software solutions, web design and development, digital marketing services, branding, and graphic design services. Services are tailored to client needs and priced accordingly.
2. Support Contracts: Recurring revenue from technical support contracts with different tiers - those with existing contracts and those needing new contracts. Non-urgent technical support charged at £85/hr.
3. Web Hosting & Maintenance: Ongoing website maintenance, hosting services, and security support. Domain registration and SSL certificate services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Thomas Cole Digital is a full-service digital agency that designs, builds, and supports bespoke websites, custom software systems (booking, EPoS, delivery, admin, accounts), digital marketing campaigns (SEO, PPC, social, email, content), and branding/design & print collateral for SMEs. Offerings are tailored to each client's commercial objectives and sold primarily through direct project engagements, with recurring revenue from hosting, maintenance, and technical support contracts.

Product overview

Thomas Cole Digital is a service-based digital agency offering a portfolio of four interconnected service categories: Software (booking systems, custom integrations, EPoS systems, delivery systems, admin systems, and accounts integration), Web Development (brochure sites, eCommerce builds, bespoke builds, domains/hosting/SSL, and site maintenance), Search & Marketing (SEO, PPC, social media, email marketing, content marketing, and eBay integration), and Design & Print (branding, print collateral, digital graphics, photo/video, exhibition/signage, and packaging design). The company creates bespoke solutions tailored to SME business objectives, combining digital marketing strategy with custom-built technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Search & Marketing Integrated digital marketing service category covering SEO, PPC, social media, email marketing, content marketing, and eBay integration, tailored to SME financial objectives.
• Search Engine Optimisation SEO services that drive organic traffic to client websites and improve search engine rankings for Lancashire businesses.
• Pay Per Click Custom PPC campaigns that generate traffic and increase conversions across search engines and social media platforms.
• Social Media Management Social media services including audit, content creation, engagement, and analysis to maximise brand exposure.
• E-mail Marketing Email marketing solutions including template design, campaign management, and results analysis for Lancashire businesses.
• Content Marketing Full-spectrum content marketing covering research, strategy, execution, and optimisation to boost brand recognition and ROI.
• eBay Integration eBay marketplace integration enabling businesses to manage inventory, orders, and pricing from a centralised location with custom template design.
• Web Development Web development service category covering bespoke design, front-end and back-end development, custom CMS integration, e-commerce builds, and ongoing maintenance.
• Brochure Websites Custom brochure website design and build for SMEs needing a functional online presence.
• eCommerce Builds Online store design and build tailored to unique business goals with attention to user experience and conversion.
• Bespoke Web Builds Complex web-based projects for SMEs, including e-commerce websites and specialised content management systems built with innovative programming.
• Domains, Hosting & SSL Domain name registration, hosting packages (shared, dedicated, VPS), and SSL certificate installation with security assessments.
• Site Maintenance Ongoing website management and maintenance including content updates, issue fixes, security, and comprehensive support.
• Design & Print Design service category covering brand management, consultancy, managed print solutions, and large format graphics for SMEs.
• Branding Logo design, colour schemes, typography, and overall messaging to build a unique brand identity.
• Print Collateral Business cards, brochures, flyers, and printed materials using premium print technologies.
• Digital Graphics Website, branding, social media graphics, and digital advertising visuals tailored to client needs.
• Photo & Video Professional photography and video services including event coverage and commercial product and premises photography.
• Exhibition & Signage Graphic and signage services for exhibitions, trade shows, and corporate events including banners and backdrops.
• Packaging Design Custom packaging design services using advanced software and techniques to create eye-catching product packaging.
• Custom Software Bespoke software service category delivered by the in-house team to keep companies profitable, improve performance, and provide security.
• Booking Systems Bespoke booking platforms for appointments or events designed to enhance customer experience.
• Custom Integrations Integration of software systems including tech advisory, custom development, API integration (REST, JSON, XML, SOAP), SOA implementation, and data migration.
• EPoS Systems Custom point-of-sale systems that streamline operations, improve customer experience, and manage stock and sales.
• Delivery Systems Delivery management systems with real-time tracking, route optimisation, and proof of delivery features.
• Admin Systems Custom HR systems, booking software, and inventory management tools built to be user-friendly, secure, and scalable.
• Accounts Integration Integration of accounting software with websites, EPoS systems, or bespoke coding for accurate and efficient financial management.

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Cedarwood Digital: A Manchester-based digital marketing agency offering SEO, PPC, and web design services to SMEs — directly comparable in service mix and North West market.
• Netmatters: A UK full-service digital agency offering web development, bespoke software, IT support, and digital marketing — a slightly larger but directly comparable bespoke-build competitor in the SME space.
• The SEO Works: A UK-based SEO, PPC, and web design agency focused on SMEs with regional roots — overlapping search marketing and SME focus that mirrors Thomas Cole's North West positioning.
• Cyber-Duck: A UK digital agency providing web design and development, bespoke software, and digital strategy to SME and mid-market clients — a closely comparable full-service, bespoke-build agency.
• Evoluted New Media: A UK-based full-service digital agency offering bespoke web development, digital marketing, SEO, and software services to SMEs — directly overlapping Thomas Cole's service mix and target customer profile.
• Kayo Digital: A UK digital agency specialising in web design, development, and digital marketing for SMEs — closely matching Thomas Cole's customer profile and service offerings.
• Click Consult: A UK digital marketing agency offering SEO, PPC, and content marketing services, with a comparable SME and mid-market client base and similar service categories.

Regional players

• Blue Strawberry Designs: A North West England design and digital agency providing branding, web design, and digital marketing — directly overlapping Thomas Cole's regional footprint and full-service model.
• Fluid Creativity: A North West England creative and digital agency providing web design, branding, and marketing — comparable in scope and regional focus to Thomas Cole Digital.
• Sculpture Creative: A Lancashire/North West creative agency offering branding, web development, and design services — a regional competitor for the same SME clients Thomas Cole targets in Chorley and surrounding areas.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/thomascoleltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Thomas Cole