Enterprise Nation

It may look like it’s all stats, stats, stats on the site today but these figures coming from all manner of places are too good not to mention. In this little feature, we report on figures out from Yell.com that show big increases in demand for home help services. More good news for home businesses.

A helping hand

Yell.com’s data experts, who analyse the search habits of its millions of users, found that searches for businesses offering help around the home have increased by 60% cent from June 2007-June 2008.

Some of the business that have seen a rise despite the credit crunch include:

• Searches for nannies have increased by 389%
• Searches for gardeners have increased by 122 %
• Searches for dog walking have increased by 59% 
• Searches for private cleaners increased by 14 %

Clodagh Ward, consumer development director at Yell, said:

“These search increases may be surprising, especially with the current emphasis on reducing day-to-day outgoings. Yet, rather than being a luxury, it would seem that these services are essential in helping people stay on top of their busy lifestyles.”

Enterprise Nation says… all the businesses noted above are, in the main, home based so it’s great news that their market is increasing fast.

There’s been quite a bit of talk in the forum in the past two days about nanny agencies and now I know why!  – Emma Jones