FAQ - Affordable E-Commerce Solutions

Web Design E-commerce, The Stats!
Which consumer groups are more susceptible to business via the 'net?
Is E-commerce for you?

E-commerce, The Stats!

Responding to a global phenomenon, with an incredible increase in the last decade, an amazing 29million people in the UK have access to the Internet (Nielsen NetRatings). At this very moment more than 1.7million other businesses are currently online and it is estimated 88% of businesses in the UK use e-mail every day (Business in the Information Age 2000: International Benchmarking Report, DTI).

Durlacher estimated that the UK alone would generate £2.1bn from m-Commerce / E-Commerce in 2003; with advertising, shopping and financial services providing the most important revenue flows. Can your business afford to miss out on a share of this wealth?

So how popular and acceptable has the Internet become? According to the Interactive Advertising Bureau, Internet adspend grew exponentially from late 1998 to 2001 - including a 42% rise between mid-2000 and mid-2001. According to Forrester Research, about 48% of UK Internet users now go to web sites they saw advertised on TV, up from 16% in 1999. There is also evidence, as in the US, that Internet users in the UK are beginning to spend less time watching conventional television programming.

Which consumer groups are more susceptible to business via the 'net?

Transactions are not defined to particular groups [- although, of course, to those with debit/credit bank cards and usually those only over 18years]. E-commerce transactions are particularly beneficial to those customers unwilling, or unable, to visit stores in person and who appreciate the ease and swiftness of online shopping from the comfort of their bedroom/home or office.

Is E-commerce for you?

Integrate E-commerce facilities into your business plan - and your web site - and results have shown it can immediately increase sales, reduce costs and enhance customer service:

Increase sales - the obvious potential for more customers to 'visit' your business/store/ headquarters [- for instance, those that live too far away/are house bound/too busy/too lazy/cannot afford travel costs/ bad weather/ undesirable to visit your area and/or a variety of other reasons]. Cheaper than to advertise in print [such as promoting full-colour brochures and catalogues that regularly need updating and can be badly targeted, leading to an expensive and unnecessary waste].

Customer service - E-commerce is geared towards the customer - with less restrictions. For instance, the consumer can purchase 24/7 - more importantly when THEY want to purchase and when it is convenient for them (not confined to office hours, they can even shop on weekends and bank holidays!). Opportunity for each customer to receive a tailored account service instantly without talking to a 3rd person - excellent for those not willing to using the 'phone / not keen to talk to strangers about sensitive issues - Increasing customer satisfaction and opportunity for repeat sales.

Reduce Costs - automated responses to enquiries at the click of a button, less administration and reproduction in print costs. Advertising electronically. Essentially time saving for both parties, with less need for pressurizing sales agents (!) - The customers will come to you (and, in theory, without the need for more employees to handle each enquiry) and spend time surfing electronically through your carefully constructed web site, before deciding to purchase a product or service at the end of the 'tour'.

We currently offer full, completely secure and affordable e-commerce solutions in our Advanced and Advanced-Premium Service Account Packages. Please view the in-depth web service account pages from the above menu selections for further information.