Minister bangs the drum for ‘essential’ online presence
INCREASING the number of small businesses trading online remains a key focus for the government amid continuing investment in super-fast broadband.
That was the message from business minister Matthew Hancock as he visited the Business Growth Hub in Manchester to hear from small firms who have received help from the support organisation.
Speaking to TheBusinessDesk he said that while the UK is a world leader in e-commerce, there is no room for complacency because it is a “stark fact” that just 33% of businesses with a website are using it to transact, while two million companies don’t even have an online presence.
“We are 20 years on from arrival of the dot.com era, but the truth is too many businesses are not exploiting the opportunities online. Making sure businesses can access superfast-broadband is mission-critical to our aspirations and by 2017 we will have 95% of premises able to access it,” he said.
Having met with businesses such as Salford packaging company Mister Blister and Best in Bury Foods, both of which have seen surge in sales since engaging with online, the minister said he had been inspired by their success.
“It has been an exciting visit and what has really been getting me going is listening to the businesses who are transforming how they can transform how they can serve their customers using digital, not just by having a website.”
He praised the work of The Business Growth Hub’s digital team, for giving the companies it supports both the “skills and self confidence” to do more online.
The Business Growth Hub also launched, in partnership with Microsoft, a digital TV channel to help small firns make the most of online growth opportunities.
Speaking from the channel’s launch event at the Museum of Science and Industry, Richard Jeffery, director of the Business Growth Hub, said: “The advantages of being online have become more and more prevalent in the last 10 years, but many companies still lack the confidence and knowledge to make the most of the Internet.
“Website sales alone are worth £164bn to UK businesses, and that’s with only three of every five sole traders online. The Business Growth Hub’s new digital TV channel will offer those business the advice they need to set out on their digital journey, while supporting those further down the road to maximise their online performance.
Government entrepreneur-in-eesidence, Simon Devonshire, added: “Small British businesses and even sole traders should consider building up their businesses online. This is now more important than having an office landline telephone number. Online is the new landline.
“Government research suggests that nearly two million of the UK’s smallest businesses are not on the web. People find it hard to support their local firms if they can’t find them on the net. Having a trading website should be a vital component of anyone’s business strategy.”
