As consumers flock online, Irish businesses need to follow
Research shows there are gains to be made online
The Dublin Chamber of Commerce uncovered some interesting information in their latest members’ survey (April 2012) – finding that just 10% of businesses involved in the organisation consider website sales to be of ‘major’ or ‘critical’ importance to their operations.
Nearly half of their members (46%) had an information website with no direct sales facility and among the reasons given were a lack of technological knowledge and skills within the business (12%), the costs involved (19%) and, of biggest concern, the cost in terms of time and resources (21%).
Without doubt a company venturing online must put considerable, ongoing thought and resources into any digital project. However, given that CSO figures state that 43% of Irish adults shopped online in 2011 – up from 36% in 2010 when Irish shoppers spent nearly €3bn - the discussion should surely be focusing on whether Irish companies can afford not to be where their customers clearly are.
E-commerce has become a key feature of StudioForty9’s business in recent years. Our team has worked on a variety of projects from extensive online stores with thousands of different products and multiple delivery options such as D.I.D Electrical to online Booking Engines for Happy Tours and more straightforward WordPress sites that have only one or two items available to purchase like Food For Living.
All of which means: there are options to suit every enterprise and almost any budget.
The Government highlighted the potential of Information and Communication Technology to help with its reform plans for the Public Service - both in terms of delivering better results to the public and reducing costs - while SECAD recently established an e-commerce website fund to help get local businesses online and trading.
It’s time for Irish companies to move beyond simply ‘having a website’ and to making sure the platform that represents their brand online is working in a way that will help their business not only survive, but thrive…