Time to go eCommerce
People of the UK spent a record £10bn online in July 2021, which is the biggest monthly spend in 2021 to date and the most spent in July ever. Analysis of billions of online transactions shows that this brings the UK’s year-to-date eCommerce spending to £64.9bn, which is an 18% year-on-year increase and up 56% compared with the same period in 2019. Looking at the different industries, the biggest increases were in books, clothing, groceries, jewelry, and home and garden.
People have got more used to buying online post-pandemic, with a quarter of all purchases now carried out online. With these statistics and given the recent uncertainties on restrictions on going out, businesses are looking to expand their horizons with eCommerce, and as a result are looking to turn their website from an information-based website design to a lean mean selling machine, meeting people all across the UK.
Do I need an eCommerce website to sell online?
There are other options, including selling through third-party websites such as eBay, Etsy, and even Amazon – although the setup process for Amazon has been said to be almost as difficult as building your own website. However, if you’re looking for loyal, repeat customers, that will then go on to recommend you to their friends, family, and colleagues, having your own website is the best way to easily signpost your product. In addition, when working through third-party sites you are showing your product or service in the same place as other businesses that might potentially be trying to target the same people that you are.
Selling online as an SME
Small and medium-sized businesses might feel that with a limited budget they might not be able to compete online but that just isn’t the case. A good quality eCommerce website design means that your store can look as big as you want it to, and working with marketing agencies experienced in working with an SME’s budget using approaches such as SEO, social media and email marketing means that you can get your business out there to enough people to make the improved or expanded website worthwhile without overwhelming your business.
Find out more about eCommerce for SMEs
Talk to our approachable team, who specialise in web design and digital marketing for small and medium-sized businesses. We’re passionate about getting SMEs online successfully; contact us today.