One In 10 Small Business Owners Spend Up To A Full Working Day On Social Media

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A new study by Markel Direct, the small business insurance specialists, has revealed the growing expectations many UK tradespeople and small business owners feel to maintain an active social media presence alongside running their business.

The study, which asked 501 UK small business owners and tradespeople how they use social media to market their business, revealed the hidden workload that comes with trying to stay visible online. More than three quarters (76%) spend time every week creating or editing social media content. For most, that means an additional one to three hours of work every week (54%), while more than one in ten (11%) spend up to a full working day each week managing their online presence.

The findings build on a previous study by Markel Direct, which looked into overworking among the self-employed. It discovered that more than half (57%) regularly work beyond their normal hours, while 40% said they feel pressure to remain reachable outside working hours, and 57% admitted to working through illness.

Running a business now means running social media too: half feel stressed to stay visible online

The findings suggest many small business owners are effectively becoming self-taught social media marketers alongside running their actual business. More than two-thirds (69%) have never hired anyone to create content on their behalf, while 65% say they have never received any social media training.

Despite this, many still feel an increasing responsibility to stay active online. More than half (55%) say they feel pressure to create content regularly, while nearly three-quarters (73%) believe customers now expect businesses to be active on social media. At the same time, nearly two-thirds (63%) say they struggle to stand out from competitors online.

The study also highlighted that for some small business owners, maintaining an online presence is also causing a negative impact. Nearly a quarter (24%) say they have experienced negative comments online, while one in four (25%) have deleted or edited posts following criticism.

The fear of negative reactions is also affecting confidence online, with nearly four in ten (38%) saying they have held back from posting due to fear of backlash. Among younger entrepreneurs aged 18–24, more than half say fear of negative reactions has stopped posting online.

Social media drives growth, but raises legal concerns

Social media is a clear growth driver for small businesses, and many owners are aware of the responsibilities that come with posting content online – however, the study revealed significant gaps remain when it comes to protection and preparedness.

The research found that only 39% have insurance in place to cover legal action relating to issues such as copyright infringement or breaches of confidentiality linked to their social media activity. In contrast, nearly half (47%) say they do not have this type of protection, while a further 8% are unsure whether they are covered.

Despite the potential consequences, some businesses continue to share client work online without following clear processes. Nearly one in five (19%) admit they do not always obtain client permission before posting images or videos of completed work on social media.

Worryingly, more than a quarter (28%) say they would not know what steps to take if a client raised a legal concern about content they had shared online.

Rob Rees, Divisional Director at Markel Direct, said:

"Social media has become one of the most powerful ways for small businesses to showcase their expertise and attract new customers, but many business owners don't realise that the same rules around consent, copyright and confidentiality apply online as they do offline."

"Many entrepreneurs have effectively become marketers overnight, often without formal training or dedicated support. Taking a few simple steps, such as obtaining written permission before sharing client projects and understanding what insurance protections are available, can help reduce the risk of disputes further down the line."

To read the full study, visit the Markel Direct website.

Please note: This article provides guidance for information purposes only. It should not be relied upon wholly when making or taking important business decisions – always seek the services of an appropriately qualified professional.

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Aug 4, 2025
2 min read

Chetwood Bank has announced Mark Foulsham will join its Board as non-executive director.

Mark brings more than 30 years of experience in information technology (IT), operations and third-party procurement to the role.

Mark originally qualified as a civil engineer and retained a practical, analytical mindset while subsequently progressing into senior executive roles, overseeing digital and capital investment programmes at South East Water, SAUR UK and Macquarie Bank. He has since served as Group Chief Information Officer for esure and GoCompare; Director of Delivery Services, Chair and advisory board member at CIO Connect; Chief Digital Officer at Scope; and Chief Operating Officer at Kensington Mortgages, accumulating extensive experience as an FCA SMF24 function holder.

As a consultant and adviser, Mark has guided organisations in tightly regulated industries, from financial services firms such as Cashplus (now Zempler Bank), Mansfield Building Society and Prudential, to the property firm REIT SEGRO, the UK Civil Aviation Authority and National Lottery operator, Camelot.

He has also held a number of non-executive roles including positions at Cobweb, Leeds Credit Union and Franklin Music, as well as acting as a board advisor at CIONET and Partners in Change Consulting.

Mark joins the UK-based digital challenger bank at an exciting time for the company just days after announcing its balance sheet had exceeded £5 billion for the first time, as well as revealing it was expanding its operations by opening a new office in Manchester city centre to add to its existing offices in Wrexham, London and Fleet. The bank has also recently appointed Rob Pomphrett as another non-executive director.

Founded in 2016, Chetwood Bank is dedicated to helping people make sense of their money with easy-to-understand savings accounts and mortgages, delivered through its ModaMortgages and CHL Mortgages’ brands.

Mark said: “It’s a great opportunity to join Chetwood Bank at such an exciting time in its journey. I’ve often joined organisations at a relatively early stage in their growth and the prospect of helping to shape their direction is truly energising."

“The experience I’ve gained throughout my career has given me a great grounding in supporting and managing problem solving in an orchestrated and harmonious way."

“The company’s recent milestone demonstrates the astute planning by the talented members of its senior leadership team and Board. I’m looking forward to playing my part in adding customer-focused value to our proposition and helping Chetwood Bank build new foundations for its future.”

Paul Noble, CEO of Chetwood Bank, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Mark to the Board as a non-executive director. His experience and strong multi-faceted track record will add real depth to our governance as we enter our next phase of growth."

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One In 10 Small Business Owners Spend Up To A Full Working Day On Social Media

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