Search the internet and you will be faced with a raft of sites quoting statistics about online shopping. All will show a significant rise, whether it is the percentage of global retail moving online, percentage of online shopping done from a mobile device, numbers of shoppers who start their shopping experience online and so on...
All pretty meaningless for a small business on the Isle of Wight. Or so we used to think...
COVID-19 has changed shopping behaviour out of all recognition and e-commerce websites have been multiplying like rabbits as a result. That said, it may be the current catalyst of this growth but in reality, the rise of e-commerce is something that has been building for a while now.
And if you think that this doesn't really apply to a small Isle of Wight business, you are missing the signs and not reading the stats right.
It is thought that some 70% of shoppers will start their shopping experience online. Easy access to smart phones and the internet, means that anyone with a desire for a particular product is going to Google search that product to compare prices, check availability or simply window-shop. Invariably, they will arrive at Amazon's website and if they've paid their Prime fee, one simple click and it will be on their doorstep tomorrow...
Consumers don't know that you also sell this product because you're not online. They haven't been to your shop because parking is expensive. They've missed your adverts because they don't read the County Press. We all know we should 'Shop Local' and 'Support the Independent Business' and be 'Locally Loyal' but, quite honestly, how can that work if we're working during shopping hours and shopping when the local businesses are closed?
So yes, even if your trade is mostly from local shoppers, you'd do well to consider putting your products online and making them available to the wider world. No, you're not competing with Amazon but you are at least giving the online researchers, window shoppers and decision makers the opportunity to discover your business and some will happily spend a few quid more to know they're supporting local business. Just make it easy for them to buy the product and give them the choice to either collect it at their convenience or have it delivered.
E-commerce platforms have come a long way in the last few years but despite what some of them are telling you in their adverts, setting one up is not for everyone.
That is where a design agency like Island Web Design can help. We have extensive experience with our platform and know all the tips, tricks and tweaks to make the shop work just right for you.
We will set it all up for you, connect your payment gateway, do all the formatting and provide all the training you need to upload your products. We'll then run through some products sales with you so that you can see exactly how it works.
We'll set you up with your very own App so that you can control your stock levels, sales and products from your mobile. We'll give you the power to list your products on your Facebook business page so you can sell straight from that platform too. And we'll give you the tools to optimise your products for search engine visibility so that they can be found online.
And after that, we're only at the end of the phone if you need us but more than that, because you've bought local, we can provide on-site support in much less time than it will take you to get your latest Amazon order delivered!
You can either email us via our
Contact Page or
Book an Appointment to set up a no-obligation meeting to discuss your website & e-commerce project.
by