Manchester-based Alcohol Solutions, a specialist in alcohol-based drinks development, has recruited Eleanor Bright as NPD Technologist. The appointment is in response to retailers and brands needing innovative drinks products to meet increasing demand from consumers.
With a background in food marketing and business, as well as having first-hand taken drinks products from conception to market, Eleanor will be part of the team responsible for developing new liquids which satisfy current consumer trends, including growth in the rum and vodka categories, as well as low/no sugar drinks and canned beverages such as craft seltzers and RTD cocktails.
Earlier this year Alcohol Solutions reported a 100 per cent increase in enquiries for its canning, bottling and labelling facilities, which led to the recruitment of four new apprentices as part of the Skills for Growth – SME Support Programme.
Dave Rigby, Managing Director and Master Distiller at Alcohol Solutions, says: “Eleanor brings solid experience to our NPD team – she knows the market and thinks ahead to the next big thing. She complements the hires we’ve already made this year and her appointment is timely in the run up to the very busy festive period, as well as the increasingly popular healthier options categories for January.”
Eleanor says: “I love researching new ideas and monitoring how liquid trends are developing in the market, and because Alcohol Solutions works with so many on and off-trade businesses, there’s huge scope to develop products that will jump off the back bar, as well as the supermarket shelves. I’m looking forward to developing some real stand-out liquids for our customers. I’m lucky to have found a job I absolutely love.”
Alcohol Solutions has a 13,000 sq ft facility in Carrington, Greater Manchester. The site includes a laboratory for developing alcohol-based beverages, a CL5 canning line, a British-made bottling line and a bonded facility, with capacity to process ten million cans and bottles per year.
Two of Manchester’s leading tech companies are leading the race to innovate the global education metaverse with their own science and tech campus, Credersi World, using a mixed reality platform that includes virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR).
While Facebook’s CEO Mark Zuckerberg
has outlined his vision of what a global metaverse might look like, tech and science educators Credersi and 3D tech innovators PixelMax are at the forefront of developing and shaping what the education metaverse will actually be. Tech disruptors Credersi and PixelMax are already making this a reality and for the last 12 months, they have been developing and creating their own virtual science and tech campus.
Credersi World is an immersive platform in which students – and employers who want their workforces reskilled for careers of the future – shape their learning in a virtual campus world, complete with shops, cinemas, art galleries, wellbeing rooms and food and coffee shops by using immersive mixed reality technologies. The concept for Credersi World was to create a virtual science and tech campus that could train and reskill workforces of the future in an immersive and engaging way. The Covid pandemic has resulted in more people than ever before taking up training and learning with a view to reskilling for a career of the future.
Credersi co-founders Darren Coomer and Andy Lord saw how the pandemic had impacted university students and those in further education courses. Many students were struggling to keep up with remote learning on platforms such as Zoom and Teams and maintain their engagement to learning. At the same time, through their tech training company Credersi, they then saw employers and business suddenly finding a skills shortage as never before, as well as a rapid advancement of future technologies such as artificial intelligence (AI). They decided to team up with PixelMax co-founders Shay O’Carroll, Rob Hilton and Andy Sands, to see how they could revolutionise and shape the learning and education metaverse.
Credersi CEO, Andy Lord, said:
“The reality is that technology is now driving businesses forward at such a rapid pace that there is simply not enough skilled workforce available to fulfil those roles, which is why we have such a massive skills shortage and demand is outstripping supply. As companies try to keep up with the rapid pace of technology as it evolves, they have realised that a large percentage of their workforce are simply not fit for purpose. That now means companies have to identify the talent from within their workforces and organisations and create the opportunity to educate and train them – and reskill them for a career of the future.”
The Credersi World science and tech campus is an immersive experience with its own real estate. Delegates enter the concourse – much like they would at a physical university campus – and will be able to delve into different learning pods relevant to their courses. Various boulevards line the tech estate, which engages with the delegates at all levels, providing breakout rooms, libraries, shops, cinemas, art galleries, oceanic aquariums, as well as virtual banks and even wellbeing counsellors.
The careers boulevard will have exhibitor totems, where tech, pharmaceutical and bio science companies can have a presence on the campus real estate. Delegates can drop in to learn more about career opportunities at each company and the campus will also have its own careers fairs, where companies can come to recruit delegates.
The lecture boulevard will have rooms that allow delegates to wander in and listen to visiting academics and tech entrepreneurs giving masterclasses. Bio scientists will be able to carry out and conduct live experiments in AR and VR laboratories, while coders and cyber security students can simulate real-time ethical hacking and defence exercises on real-life infrastructures.
Andy Lord added:
“The simple question all CEOs and business leaders need to ask themselves is, ‘What do you do when demand outstrips supply? Try and find people who don’t exist?’ You simply can’t just wait and hope the workforce will come back. The pandemic has been a clarion call to the global economy. Business and industry must rethink how they adapt to the future after the impact of events such as Brexit and the pandemic. With the rapid advancement of technology and AI, we must now look at how we reskill our workforces to make them future proof. Businesses also need to create a culture of continuous personal development for their staff and talent. They will find this in the education metaverse, which will future-proof their workforces with the right skills in an immersive and engaging way.”
Dubbed “Silicon City”, Manchester is now the fastest growing tech hub in the UK and across Europe and is widely seen as the UK’s version of California’s Silicon Valley thanks to its phenomenal growth of tech companies. Credersi is at the forefront of incubating, training and developing the digital pioneers, codebreakers, vaccine developers, bio scientists, biological and cyber defenders, software engineers and data scientists of the future.
PixelMax was founded in 2018 and created by co-founders Shay O’Carroll, Andy Sands and Rob Hilton. Their specialism lies in creating virtual 3D worlds, where they have delivered ground-breaking initiatives and won numerous awards. They have worked with some of the world’s biggest businesses to deliver innovative solutions that solve a variety of business problems and challenges.
PixelMax co-founder and tech disruptor, Shay O’Carroll, commented:
“The 3D worlds we create and the solutions we offer our clients are vast. The pandemic has changed the way businesses operate and it has become clear that virtual worlds add a huge amount of value. The PixelMax technology allows our customers to deliver something truly unique. Our mission has always been to create a place where people can effectively communicate and collaborate in real time.:”
Over the last 18 months their 3D world technology has evolved to offer world first virtual events and more recently to create ‘always on’ 3D environments which businesses are now starting to use as their virtual office to complement their hybrid working model. The PixelMax technology harmonises the virtual world and the physical world to deliver an enhanced or more immersive reality for the user. Partnering with Credersi to create the science and tech campus is a great example of what can be achieved.
Andy Lord concluded:
“What we have created with the Credersi World science and tech campus is something truly unique, which is immersive, engaging and interconnecting. We are creating the education and training metaverse, a unique ecosystem for companies to reskill their existing workforces and make them future proof. It also means that we educate and inspire the next generation of tech and science pioneers in a world they relate to. We want to ensure that each delegate can be immersed into their surroundings and engage with their syllabus learning within an exciting platform.
As a result of creating and shaping the education metaverse, we can also create our own real estate within the campus. Big pharmaceutical companies and technology firms can exhibit their companies and recruit the very brightest minds and talent coming out of our incubator programmes. We become much more than just a tech training provider, but a science and tech campus that has everything to offer delegates and future employers. There is no reason why you couldn’t have companies like AstraZeneca, PWC and British Aerospace alongside Government organisations such as the Home Office and GCHQ, as well as retailers like Boohoo and ASOS, and Deliveroo or an Amazon online shop.”
Manchester-based personal injury law firm, Express Solicitors, has made good on its policy to bring its brightest talent through the ranks with the promotion of 56 employees from September 2020 to August 2021.
Six employees have been promoted to partner, including three who started in the new client team before achieving a training contract at the business – Ryan Postlethwaite in the Consumer Claims Litigation department, Amy Cassell in the Road Traffic Accident department and Catherine Citron in the Occupiers/Public Liability department.
The other new partners include Ruth Magee who specialises in Employers’ Liability and Adele Greenough in Road Traffic Accidents, while Stuart McLachlan has become a partner in the IT department.
Recruitment and training carried on as normal throughout the pandemic and head count at the firm increased from 308 to 389 employees.
From its inception, Express Solicitors has had a policy of promoting employees from within. As well as promoting six employees to partners, it has promoted nine to Senior Associate and 12 to Associate. In addition, there were 19 employees who became Trainee Solicitors, giving the firm some 39 trainees in total. Other promotions included staff being promoted to positions such as HR Manager, Senior IT Technician and Assistant Solicitor.
The promotions come on the back of news that Express Solicitors Group had its best ever financial results from April 2020 to April 2021, with group turnover up by 14% from last year to £31.3m and caseloads growing by 36% to 19,015.
Express Solicitors’ Managing Partner, James Maxey said: “Since the launch of the firm 21 years ago, our mission has been to reward and promote talented individuals. Our in-house training department has played an important role in helping us continuously train and promote our staff, which ultimately benefits them, the firm and our clients.
“We’re extremely proud to reward the determination and talent of these 56 employees, they’ve played a crucial role in helping the firm grow and they’re a credit to the business. It’s especially satisfying to have promoted three partners who started off in our new client team before we offered them training contracts. Their loyalty, hard work and skills have shone through from the beginning and they very much deserve to be partners at the firm.”
Express Solicitors has 389 employees and is ranked in The Lawyer Top 200. Its lawyers and the firm are recognised in The Legal 500 and the firm is noted in Chambers and Partners. Express Solicitors specialises in personal injury and accident claims, clinical negligence claims and serious injury cases.
Following a competitive pitch, Pixel Kicks – the Manchester based full-service digital agency – has been appointed by one of the UK’s leading luxury homeware brands to undertake a new SEO campaign that will aim to enhance and improve the company’s Google visibility.
Christy was established in 1850 and over the past 171 years has grown to become a household name thanks to its range of bed linen, cushions, throws and towels.
The Pixel Kicks digital marketing and SEO teams will be working closely together and will focus on three core areas: technical SEO development, website content marketing, and link building. The ultimate goal is to achieve a substantial percentage increase in organic traffic to the site.
Andrew Flynn – digital marketing manager at Pixel Kicks – said: “Christy is a much-respected name in the homeware space with a fantastic heritage and a first-class product range so we are delighted to have been appointed by them. Our focus is now on developing a strategy that will drive sales and add commercial value.”
Amanda Couzens-Davies – Marketing and eCommerce Director at Christy – added: “Pixel Kicks boasts some fantastic experience which really stood out. The team’s creative and strategic thinking along with an understanding of our business made them an ideal fit. We are now looking forward to working with them over the coming months.”
Despite 44% of people who currently work from home wanting to carry on working from home, travelling for business is still essential for many businesses. Whether you’re travelling for a networking event or you have a meeting with a client, business travel can be expensive and if you’re an SME, these costs can add up.
It’s estimated that the average spend per domestic business trip is £237 and as inflation continues to rise, this figure is set to only increase. We’re here to share our top tips for more cost-effective business travel.
Book in advance
If you know the date you need to travel, then the earlier you start planning the cheaper your overall cost. If you need to travel by rail, then booking an Advance ticket for a specific service can mean you could make a saving of up to 90%. But you’ve got to be quick. There are a limited number of heavily discounted tickets available.
Similarly, if you’re having to fly for a business meeting booking your flight in advance could save you some serious money. Using travel compare sites can help you find the best deals, but remember to check regularly.
Be flexible with dates
If you don’t have a specific date for your business travel, being flexible can really pay off. Looking at travel and accommodation on a number of different dates will often mean you’re able to find the best deal.
If you’re travelling by public transport, you might find that booking two single tickets by different providers can sometimes be cheaper than booking a return with one. Take your time to shop around for the deals and choose the dates that end up being the cheapest.
Consider the type of accommodation
If your business trip is taking place in the capital there are no shortage of places to stay – suiting budgets of all sizes. If you’re staying for one night, then staying in a hotel and going for dinner might be the best for you. However, if you’re business trip is taking place over a few nights or longer, then serviced apartments in London are often more cost effectivethan hotels.
Instead of spending hundreds on eating out, a serviced apartment allows you to enjoy your favourite dishes in the comport of your own suite, whilst still enjoying all the perks of a hotel stay.
Use courtesy transport
You might find that if you choose accommodation often used by professionals there’s courtesy transportation available. Whether it’s to and from the airport or train station, or even to and from your meetings, it’s worth enquiring to see what’s available. If you’re meeting with a client, you can ask them if there’s courtesy transport too.
All of these complimentary services should be used, as their often built into what you’re already paying for.
Sign up to reward schemes
If you travel regularly for business, consider signing up to reward schemes. From collecting points for travel, cashback for staying in certain hotels, and even free drinks at petrol stations. These small savings soon add up.
Carpool
Maximise cost-effectiveness in business travel by utilising companies such as, minibus hire in St Helens, where the practice of car sharing not only streamlines transportation but also significantly reduces expenses for corporate journeys.
In conclusion
while the desire for remote work persists, business travel remains an indispensable component for numerous enterprises. The costs associated with these journeys can accumulate, impacting SMEs disproportionately. Our guide highlights strategies to make business travel more cost-effective, including booking in advance for substantial savings, maintaining flexibility with travel dates, and opting for budget-friendly accommodation like serviced apartments. Indeed, a reliable suitcase proves indispensable for any business trip, Max cases ensure that professionals can efficiently organize and transport their essentials while maintaining a polished and organized appearance throughout their journey.
Being the owner of a business comes with its fair share of challenges. No matter what sector you are in or what products and services you will be providing, you will need to overcome a wide variety of obstacles to be successful.
At the same time, the business landscape has changed drastically in the last eighteen months, which may have resulted in some entrepreneurs putting their business plans on hold. For those wanting to push on, we have some of the best innovative methods listed below, of which you should use in your own plans.
Embrace Technology
We feel this is something that any entrepreneur would be doing, but we thought it was worth a mention all the same! Technological advancements throughout the last decade or so have completely changed the way businesses work, and especially throughout the last two years, has meant we cancontinue working even when in a different environment.
Innovative methods – including digital transformation – within a business landscape are sure to change and adapt how things are done while also ensuring that standards remain high. What’s more, technology enables you to streamline certain business processes, which could also save you money in the long run. Learn more about digital transformation, and how it could benefit you and your business.
Encourage Creativity
Catching the eyes of your target audiences and loyal customers is paramount to ongoing success and is naturally something that you want to be doing at all times. While there are more traditional routes for attracting the attention of those vital to your business, creativity is a valuable tool for doing just that.
Encouraging creativity throughout your workforce is undoubtedly one way to boost your business. Finding new and innovative ways of completing tasks can be useful both now and in the future while enabling your employees to have fun while doing so.
At the same time, being creative in your marketing efforts appears somewhat obvious when wanting to attract your customers’ attention. After all, you want to stand out from the crowd, and what better way of doing that than by being creative!
Monitor Competitors and Business Landscape
Another suggestion we feel confident entrepreneurs would be using anyway, but one worth mentioning is all the same. Business landscapes change frequently, and entrepreneurs must do what they can to keep up. While this might feel challenging to complete initially, there are various ways of doing just that, and this includes keeping an eye on your competitors.
Now, this is not to say you should be monitoring their every move and comparing yourself to them, but rather assessing whether they are making any significant changes; changes like these could signify changes throughout the broader sectors and industries and are worth making a not of as an entrepreneur.
Monitoring these changes gives you the upper hand and provides you with ample opportunity to make and adapt your business processes as a preemptive measure. While there are many other ways that you can be innovative as an entrepreneur, we feel confident that your efforts will come to fruition either way.
Wasted time in business can impact the cash flow and drastically limit the potential of the firm. Still, everybody makes bad decisions or procrastinates on occasion.
The last year’s events plunged many businesses into chaos, with some recovering while others continue to struggle to get back to where they were. It has not been an easy ordeal. If there were ever a time for entrepreneurs to use every precious moment available to them, it would undoubtedly be from the start of 2020 to what will likely be much of 2022 as well.
How can you improve things here? Read on for some of our insights.
Refine the Hiring Process
Recruiting the wrong person into your business can be an enormous waste of time and resources. Greater care is needed here.
Start with the interview stage. Orchestrate a more meticulous process by:
• Letting the interviewee do most of the talking – You’ll spend less time preparing for the interview this way. Keep in mind most candidates will be rejected if there is only one opening, so don’t waste time on all of them. Let them do most of the talking, and either let them impress you or dig their own grave.
• Present hypothetical situations – Any job candidate can claim they tick every box on the job description. Expose any liars and pitch some hypothetical problem-solving scenarios to them. Candidates who are suitable for the position will stand out under these circumstances.
• Review social media footprints – Remember that anyone can be friendly and pleasant in a job interview for 30 minutes. See where things really stand by reviewing candidates’ social media profiles. Do they post bigoted opinions or speak poorly of past employers? People often forget their online activities are available for the world to see, so do some digging.
Many of these processes may save you a significant amount of time. Checking social media may not seem like a productive thing to do, but if it prevents you from taking on a bad hire for the next few years, those 15 minutes you spend could be a gamechanger.
Maintenance and Testing
Nothing can be worse for businesses than stalled activities. No firm can survive for long on the constant stopping and starting of their processes, and the bother can be enough to temper ambitions.
There are ways to improve things here. If you want to automate the testing and maintenance of software in your company successfully, visit forallsecure.com. You can apply this to application security testing, pre-empting future threats and making your security measures invisible and unbreachable. Application developers can then focus on building other things, like new features and software.
Talented workers can be soon overwhelmed by the more menial aspects of their job role. Unfortunately, these elements are often recurring too. By introducing automated technologies, you can alleviate many of these burdens and bring greater attention to the areas of your firm that urgently need input and innovation.
Hiding Procrastination
Procrastination is often wrapped up with feelings of shame. However, it’s a perfectly natural thing to do and something that should be somewhat embraced rather than suppressed entirely.
However, contrary to popular belief, procrastination is not always such an ugly thing and can actually be used to your firm’s advantage. Procrastination can be a handy ‘reset’ tool, giving yourself a quick break to recharge your batteries. That pause may help you strike that breakthrough you were desperate for, approaching your problem-solving technique from a new angle.
Try to remove the negative emotions that surround procrastination. Ensure your workers do the same. The more secret it is, the more destructive a presence it may be in your workforce. Transparency is critical in business, pacing the workflow, so reframe how you think about and use procrastination. A five-minute break every 30 minutes is far better than wasting hours at a time later in the day.
Refusing to Outsource
Some entrepreneurs let their pride and vanity get in the way. They will seek to do everything in-house, come hell or high water.
However, the refusal to outsource crucial parts of your business can actually limit your firm’s prospects. It doesn’t make sense to have internal congestion as far as your processes are concerned. If you offload some of your firm’s responsibilities to an expert third party, your company can slow down and get its bearings.
Think about the well-being of your workers too. Those who are consistently overworked will look for employment opportunities elsewhere if needed. Their job performance may also suffer as fatigue builds. By outsourcing some areas of your firm, you can improve their satisfaction rates, reduce turnover, and ensure quality results for your company.
Of course, limping on instead of securing support is a waste of everyone’s time. Under these measures, your company will never be able to evolve. Outsource where appropriate, and push your firm forward into the future more comfortably.
An international programme has supported 80 Greater Manchester businesses to expand to 74 new markets since 2019, creating dozens of new jobs, say The Growth Company (GC).
Scaling businesses who took part in the first three cohorts of its Global Scale-up programme have also created 80 jobs, generated an additional £59m in revenue and raised £31m in funds.
Now 11 new businesses are setting their sights on global success as the fourth 12-month programme gets underway.
Global Scale-up is designed to help firms across the city region expand into international markets.
Delivered by GC Business Growth Hub with the support of partners KPMG, DWF, Santander, Manchester Airport and the Department for International Trade, firms benefit from tailored coaching, access to a global market entry network alongside international growth sprints and bootcamps.
This year’s cohort has a strong US focus. In October, firms will also join a series of virtual in-market sessions in Australia delivered in partnership with their private sector counterparts.
In November, delegates will join the ‘Silicon Valley Comes to the UK’ summit, which brings together the global tech community. Organised by London and Partners, the collaboration follows the joint successful REACH mission held with GC in June.
Among the businesses thriving thanks to the Scale-up programme is Inovus Medical, a designer and maker of medical and surgical simulators, which is opening an office for their development team in Manchester.
It supplies more than 70 per cent of all NHS trusts and since attending the programme, the business has committed to a US expansion.
Inovus Medical is participating in a virtual trade mission to Tampa Bay and will soon be spending six weeks on the ground in Florida and Texas, where GC will also be introducing the business to leading healthcare leaders.
Managing Director of Inovus Medical, Elliot Street, said: “Global Scale-up has added real value to our USA focused internationalisation plans, connecting us with a wide variety of on the ground contacts that will help the next phase of growth for the business.
“What stands the Global Scale-up programme apart from other similar programmes is the highly flexible nature of the support. This has allowed us to receive some bespoke high value support that is already paying dividends.”
Global Scale-up Project Manager, Anna Carson-Parker, said: “It has been brilliant to see how businesses on the Global Scale-up programme have grown and expanded to overseas markets, despite challenges like the pandemic and Brexit.
“Expanding internationally is vital for any business looking to grow, but often the biggest barriers are knowing where to start and understanding what opportunities there are – this is where we come in.
“We have a range of world-class partners with global networks to provide SME business leaders with the support they need to scale up. I look forward to seeing these 11 new businesses embark on their transformational journeys and realising their international expansion plans.”
Social Chain, a young company with big ambitions in the social commerce sphere, is on the fourth cohort.
The firm is creating a new ecosystem for customers and brands, combining their media publishing brands with an e-commerce offering.
E-Commerce Director from Social Chain, Anna Graham, said: “With over 15 million followers globally across our hero brands GameByte, Sporf and The Life Network, internationalisation is definitely on the top of our list and it’s imperative we are able to deliver products to our audience worldwide.
“We think Global Scale-up with its extensive network of global partners and tailored programme is the perfect partner to support us in achieving our international goals.”
Any business that is ambitious and showing 20 per cent year on year growth can register their interest in future cohorts at www.businessgrowthhub.com/global-scale-up-programme.
The HOST Esports Studio is the first of its kind to launch in the heart of MediaCity to offer a dedicated training space for local esports teams and bootcamps, focused on fostering future gaming talent and supporting the development of the esports and XR immersive community in the North West.
HOST, the Home of Skills & Technology is partnering with Vexed Gaming, one of the UK’s leading esports organisations in Manchester, to support local talent at the HOST Esports Studio alongside education partners the University of Salford, to engage with young people interested in the digital and media-related skillsets esports offers in formal education.
To celebrate the launch of the HOST Esports Studio, HOST is welcoming Manchester’s World Esports Day to MediaCity on Saturday 23 October, in partnership with The University of Salford, Salford Esport and Salford City Council, bringing together Manchester’s esports student societies to celebrate all things esports. World Esports Day is a joint initiative set up by the British Esports Association, a not-for-profit organisation that promotes and supports grassroots esports, along with streaming platform Twitch, the Singapore Esports Association (SGEA) and the Global Esports Federation.
The HOST Esports Studio will offer a training ground for esports, sporting local tournaments and act as a central gateway for stimulating skills and employment routes for young people to get into this emerging sector.
The esports industry is continuing to increase in popularity as global market revenue is predicted to grow to $1.62 billion in the next three years, and according to a study by Hitmarker, the number of jobs available in esports globally grew by 87 per cent from 5,896 in 2018 to 11,027 in 2019.
HOST is working with industry to create an accessible, multi-disciplinary studio, to advocate esports related skills to prepare the next generation for tomorrow’s jobs, today.
HOST is building on its existing technology pedigree to establish an esports academy as part of its Skills City bootcamps, committed to providing fair access to digital skills training and breaking the barriers faced by those from underrepresented and disadvantaged backgrounds, with links to its immersive labs and the UK Unity Centre of Excellence, a world leader in real-time 3D (RT3D) content.
Mo Isap, CEO of IN4 Group, operator of HOST, said: “The incredible explosion of the esports market is continuing at a global scale, and we are excited to be leading on this accessible esports skills programme with our partners Salford City Council. Our ambition is for MediaCity to be a beacon for esports talent across the region and to provide the industry with its next generation of pro gaming talent. Being part of the innovation ecosystem allows us to nurture local talent with the digital skills they need and support them into esports related careers, creating the most diverse, industry-ready talent that will help to drive prosperity in the region.”
Dr Maria Stukoff, Co-chair Esport Industry Partnerships at the University of Salford, added: “This is really very powerful. This unique collaboration brings together local businesses and councils, esports professionals and educational giants all working together to develop a dynamic platform to engage with our local esports community and to connect talent straight into the industry.”
Mark Weller, Chief Gaming Officer of Vexed Gaming said: “I am delighted to come on board and to secure a Manchester-based training ground for our professional teams here at Vexed Gaming and to support a local opportunity for young people to foster their passion for esports. Esports has provided me with a rewarding career, and we’re keen to invest back into our local community to build an esports ecosystem for everyone within Manchester.”
eCommerce stores are essential for businesseswanting to develop a prominent online presence. With bricks and mortar stores restricted to their geographic location, companies rely on their eCommerce store to reach customers they otherwise might miss.
However, having an eCommerce store alone isn’t necessarily enough to ensure your customers engage with your site in the way you want.
To engage your customer, you need to think about their needs. Your site should bedesigned to ensure a smooth buying journey for your customer from start to finish.
The question is, what do shoppers want from an eCommerce store and how can you best facilitate this to get the most from your business?
User-friendly
Clear design and easy navigation are essential for keeping a customer engaged on your eCommerce site. You might want hundreds of category options but this will look messy and be overwhelming for your customer.
To enhance your customers’ shopping experience and streamline your online store’s operations, consider following an ecommerce management guide that emphasizes creating concise categories and placing your cart prominently on the screen to encourage seamless checkouts.
Migrating your current website to a more feature-rich platform such as Magento 2 will help to give your customer the most precise, user-friendly experience from start to finish.
Mobile friendly
Mobile browsing accounts for a large number ofeCommerce sales. With such a high percentage of the population owning smartphones, it’s no surprise that it attracts eCommerce sales.
That being said, if your eCommerce platform isn’t mobile-friendly – it can detract users from your site. You want to create a mobile-friendly site that keeps your user’s attention and entices them to buy. Subsequently, this increases your revenue and will boost your rankings on google – win, win. So, creating a mobile-friendly platform is advantageous for you and your customer.
Personalisation
eCommerce personalisation will help you drive purchases and increase conversion optimisation. Apersonalised experience for your customer will also make them feel valued and therefore more likely to return to your site. Artificial intelligence gathers information on your customer profiles and can help to tailor the individual experience.
If you have a special promotion running that you want to upsell to your customer, eCommerce personalisation can help you do so. Alternatively, if customer buying patterns suggest they might be interested in a certain product, you can recommend it through onsite personalisation.
Free shipping and easy returns
Offering your customers free shipping will set you apart from your competitors. Free shipping not only saves your customers money but also saves them valuable time. The ease and financial advantage of free shipping will draw your customers back. Thus, creating a higher chance of developing a loyal, long-standing customer relationship.
Creating an easy returns policy can be attractive to your customer. An advantage of a bricks and mortar store is the ability to try before you buy. With eCommerce shopping, it’s sadly not so easy and can deter sales as returning items is a hassle. However, developing and promoting an easy returns policy will increase your chances of a customer buying your product.
Highlight your free shipping and easy returns policy acrossyour website to ensure your customer knows the exact service you provide.
