Cheers to 21 years of 21Digital!
In 2003, two determined 21-year-old university graduates — Steven Taylor and Michael Cain — launched what would become a thriving multi-award-winning digital marketing agency with the help of the Prince’s Trust.
From humble beginnings…
Armed with a start-up grant from the Prince’s Trust, a wing, a prayer, and a whole lot of ambition, Ste and Mick kicked off their journey from a humble kitchen breakfast bar. Back then, we went by the name DPI21, working with startups and small businesses, designing everything from logos to letterheads, and brochures to websites.
Our Managing Director, Sam, joined the duo in 2007 fresh off his win as the Prince’s Trust Young Entrepreneur of the Year for the North West, bringing with him expertise in marketing and business development.
Becoming 21Digital
A few years in, it was time to step things up, and that’s when we rebranded to 21Digital. The old name no longer reflected our growing range of services as we expanded beyond web and design for small local businesses into a full-service strategic digital marketing agency. From web development and design to search marketing, content creation, and beyond, our offerings grew – and so did our vision! It was during this time that we cemented our all-important core values:
Over the years our team has expanded, growing from three to 18, a diverse group of individuals with shared ethos and values.
What started as just two founders has evolved into a close-knit team, and together, we’ve helped businesses grow and thrive.
With a clear focus, we set our sights on becoming an established digital agency in the North West, winning awards, and surpassing £1 million turnover – all goals we’re incredibly proud to say we have achieved.
Looking forward
Now, as we celebrate our 21st birthday, we’re taking a moment to reflect on the values that have shaped our journey: the creativity, authenticity, and innovation that drive everything we do. From our humble beginnings, working on small projects for local businesses, to becoming an award-winning digital marketing agency with clients across the UK and internationally, these principles have been our compass and will continue to guide us for what we hope are many years to come.
From the very start, our mission has been clear: deliver tangible results. For over two decades, we’ve helped clients in the Home & Garden, Automotive, and Professional Services sectors grow their businesses in an ever-evolving digital landscape. Along the way, we’ve had the pleasure of receiving numerous awards, including the Red Rose Digital Business Award, The Hive Creative and Digital Award, and being named Digital Agency of the Year by DLIB.
Of course, for us, success is more than just awards and numbers. While it feels great to be recognised for all our hard work, our real reward lies in the relationships we’ve built and the results we’ve delivered for our clients.
Big things are coming – stay tuned!
We’re incredibly proud of how far we’ve come, but as always, our focus is on what comes next. We have something big in store, and though we can’t reveal all the details just yet, rest assured that we’re planning to give back in a way that shows how grateful we are for the last 21 years. Our 21st year is all about growth, innovation, and helping others thrive, just as we always have.
Here’s to 21 years of digital success, driven by our values and the support of the amazing clients and partners we’ve had along the way. We’re just getting started.
We’d love to invite you to join us on this journey if you haven’t already done so! If you’re looking for a team that combines technical know-how with friendly, personalised support, you’ve come to the right place. Our services span web development, SEO, SEO, Google Ads, digital consultancy, social media marketing, and email marketing. Let’s connect and see how we can make great things happen together!
