With over two billion people online across the globe, this represents a big opportunity for small business.
Having a website to showcase your products and services is like having a shop window that the world can see into, at any time of the day (or night!) It's never been so easy to launch online with template website providers, blogging platforms and social media. So why is it that so many businesses are yet to embrace the web and reap the rewards?
In April Lloyds Bank released their UK Business Digital Index which revealed:
•29% of small businesses and charities believe being online isn't relevant to their business
•Only 50% have a website and, on the whole, those that do are only providing basic functionality
• A third of businesses are without basic online skills and 75% don't invest any money in improving digital skills
This was closely followed by the launch of a Digital Inclusion Charter by Cabinet Office to close the gap between those making the most of e-commerce, and those who are not.
Surprised by these findings and in the midst of hosting five sell-out events aimed at arming small businesses with the information they need to get online, Enterprise Nation approached Cabinet Office to say we wanted to act. The result is that one week today we launch a 12-month Go and Grow Online campaign that has two simple aims:
•· To encourage more small business to get online, and
•· To support existing online traders to grow
The campaign is being backed by three global brands to be announced on the night. They are companies that have the tools and infrastructure to enable greater business digital adoption across the UK. The campaign is also being supported by national digital charity, Go On UK.
On launch night, 150 small business guests will hear from successful e-commerce entrepreneurs who are operating in the fields of travel, fashion and fast moving consumer goods. They will talk about how they got started, how they're going global, and plans for the future. None of their businesses would be what they are today if they hadn't gone online and embraced the web.
Campaigns start with launch nights but activity doesn't stop there. Over the 12 months from July 31st, there will be a dedicated micro-site filled with free and useful guides, monthly events in London and key cities, webinars with e-commerce guests, and a digital tracker to report on progress. The campaign will be measured against its aims of getting more businesses online and helping existing online businesses to grow.
If you are a business that fits into either of these categories, please join us for the launch or follow Enterprise Nation for live updates on the night.