The consumer landscape has changed dramatically over the last few years. Whereas once it was the face to face transaction which was the most common, now it is online commerce which very much rules the roost. This is particularly true of the retail industry, which has seen the majority of high street retailers now operating online concerns alongside their more traditional avenues of trading. Online trading in the business to business sector is now also extremely popular.

Image Credit

A Winning Situation for Courier Firms

One of the main industries to benefit from this explosion in online shopping activity is the courier industry. It is a simple equation really. The more trading which occurs online, the greater the number of parcels to be delivered. It is a winning situation for the nation’s many courier firms. As recently reported by TechWeekEurope UK, the rise in popularity of smartphone shopping has pushed online sales even higher. The online boom has also seen former entertainment retail giant HMV announce in Retail Week its return to the digital shopping arena, just two years after its well publicised trading troubles.

Before the true dominance of the online market fully took hold, most of the courier industry was concerned with the business to business sector. Now however, the domestic side of the courier industry is one of the fastest-growing businesses in the country, experiencing huge levels of growth in the past couple of years. As a result in this change in emphasis, many courier and express delivery firms have adapted the services they offer in order to better serve their domestic customers.

A Change in Emphasis

One such change is the increase in next day and same day delivery services. The online revolution has influenced the speed at which we live our lives and consumers now expect their goods to be delivered promptly and without delay. This has seen many couriers become far more specific with their delivery estimates, moving away from 24-hour and 48-hour slots and focusing more on actual time-specific windows. These changes can only mean good news for consumers, with courier firms raising their service levels to remain competitive in a thriving market.

One of the other sectors within the parcel industry which has benefited enormously from the online retail phenomenon is that which deals with packaging machines and supplies. The demand for the likes of strapping machines and pallet wrapping machines is only likely to get bigger as the online boom continues.

With digital technology continuing to become more advanced, allowing people to access online services from wherever they may be, digital commerce is sure to continue to grow in strength. Indeed, it is difficult to see any other outcome. Manchester web design agency Bamboo Solutions offer an array of website designs in all shapes and sizes, so if you’re business is thinking of venturing into the online world why not give them a call.

In this digital age it is absolutely essential for every business, big or small, to have a website. Consumers are wired in to the notion of researching their potential purchase options before making any buying decisions. If you do not have an internet presence where they can find your company, you are not giving yourself the best chance of competing in the marketplace and risk missing out on potential sales. Fortunately, getting a good website in place is easier than you might think.

Image Credit

Form and Functionality

The first decision to make is what you need your website to do. It will be the first port of call for many of your potential clients, so it needs to offer a clear outline of the services you provide. Other information about your company’s ethos and history, management team and any significant projects or clients can be included.

If you use your website to allow customers to shop online for your products, it is also essential to ensure it is easy to navigate and offers a secure encrypted paying platform. Whilst most businesses are aware of the need for a website, a recent Online survey found that up to 80% of micro-business websites are simply not fit for purpose. Your website must allow you to regularly and easily update the content as well as have the functionality for tasks such as uploading photos, managing a blog and plugging into a social media feed.

Consider too the impression that you want to create. Lots of bright colours and a busy template will give your website a quirky feel, whereas more neutral shades and a cleaner layout look more professional.

Spread the Word

Once your website is established, you need to attract traffic to it. Using SEO keywords in your web content is a good way to ensure that your company appears near the top of any internet searches a potential client may make for your products or services. But to really spread the word, make use of social media and raise awareness of your brand. Social media platforms such as Facebook, Twitter or Tumblr allow smaller companies global potential client reach and mean that they can compete for market share with much bigger firms. Creating a discussion about your company on social media is an effective way to get your name known, allowing instant interaction with potential clients and helping to establish good relationships with customers. Varying the content with a mixture of blogs, photos and news releases on diverse social media platforms allows you to reach the largest possible target market.

Go Pro or Go Home

Enlisting the services of a company such as Hemel Hempstead web designers 24-7website.co.uk, makes the process simple and effective. Professional website design companies will be able to create a site that looks great but that also offers you the right functionality for your requirements. Unlike a free DIY site, you will not have to have any intrusive adverts for other products, and they can take care of all the hosting and maintenance too.

A good website that attracts plenty of traffic is an invaluable addition to your marketing strategy, extending your reach and generating additional income.

With its verdant rolling landscape and idyllic country villages and attractive towns, Somerset is an ideal county for a relaxed, pastoral themed wedding. And with a wide range of venues, planners and wedding services available, planning a wedding in one of the most beautiful corners of England’s green and pleasant land has never been easier.

Image Credit

Why Somerset?

Whether you’re planning a traditional church wedding or something more relaxed, Somerset offers a wide range of venues and services to make your dream wedding a reality. Once you’ve decided on your ideal wedding venue, there are certain legal obligations you’ll be required to fulfil – you’ll find more information here. From beach themed weddings, to the glories of Regency Bath or the beautiful golden stone villages of the Cotswolds, Somerset has a wedding theme to suit everyone.

Planning Ahead

The task of organising your own wedding can be daunting, and many couples entrust everything to a wedding planner. But if you want your wedding day to be utterly unique, Somerset based wedding services range from the green to the family friendly. Catering from classic to contemporary, and your gorgeous wedding cake will all be captured by your friendly and innovative photographer and videographer. You can arrive at your venue in a vintage Rolls Royce or a horse drawn carriage and celebrate your reception everywhere from a beachfront hotel to a tipi. The choice is yours and your wedding planner, if you choose to use one, will ensure that everything is to your satisfaction.

Your Dream Venue

Glamorous weddings in films and magazines may look incredible, but Somerset offers such an array of venues and landscapes that you can enjoy all the glamour of Hollywood, whatever your budget. From hill top castles to country hotels, caves to castles and city to village, Somerset has something to suit every dream – and every budget. Taunton, the County town of Somerset, is particularly popular and the choice of easily accessible venues includes gardens, country houses and even the gothic magnificence of a school chapel. If you decide on venue hire in Taunton and you’re inspired by the Olympics or just love sport, you can even look at County Ground venue hire in Taunton.

With so much variety to choose from your Somerset wedding – and those all important pictures – are bound to be a success.