small businesses in wales

[bridges]

Hi

I have posted a thread for businesses within the Flintshire area, but would also like to know what other small businesses throughout wales think of this.

I am setting up my own website to market local products, for free, and selling them through the website for a small fee - at point of sale - ( similar to amazon/ebay ) the difference is that it is targeted at people from the local area, offering discounts on delivery etc. Once this is set up and running in Flintshire I will be looking to expand into other counties.

So, what do you think? Any ideas/comments welcome, good and bad.

Thanks

B x

[Geoff T]

Great idea! supporting local businesses etc - should be worth a free plug in the local rag...;)...free publicity's better than paying for it!

plus - I'm thinking cards in newsagents, supermarkets etc?

Still mean a lot of footwork getting businesses on board mind...I'll work on it, unless you've already covered that? (not too much 'spare' on my hands, so let me know if I'm wasting my time!):)

regards
Geoff

[OldWelshGuy]

great idea, I did this for the 1999 rugby world cup. it was hard work initially but we made a chunk of cash and the feeling was great.

I have had plans for this for a while and spoke to the Welsh Assembly Government about it but simply didn't have the time to roll it out.

Really good to see it happening, and really good to see it in Wales as well. even if it IS in Gogland ;)

Hi

I have posted a thread for businesses within the Flintshire area, but would also like to know what other small businesses throughout wales think of this.

I am setting up my own website to market local products, for free, and selling them through the website for a small fee - at point of sale - ( similar to amazon/ebay ) the difference is that it is targeted at people from the local area, offering discounts on delivery etc. Once this is set up and running in Flintshire I will be looking to expand into other counties.

So, what do you think? Any ideas/comments welcome, good and bad.

Thanks

B x

[Geoff T]

Really good to see it happening, and really good to see it in Wales as well. even if it IS in Gogland ;)

(just to open old - 1k+ yrs - wounds!:D) were you referring to the "REAL" Wales in your post, rather than the bit the English have now?;)

[Geoff T]

ps - OP - 'networking' option, get some cheapy cards made up from Vista for £30 (unsubscribe from the emails tho!) and get them to all your friends/family, with spares...best sales force to get businesses involved you'll find!

[Rhyl Lightworks]

Good idea. If you do Denbighshire, let me know.

Barrie

[bridges]

wow thank you for your posts, i am only doing flintshire at the moment, see how we go, but as soon as we think of expanding will let everyone know.
really is a boost to know you all think its a good idea! cant wait to get started on this and really hope it does go a long way to help independant businesses.
Hold off on the cards etc for now, got it all mapped out for the next few weeks before we 'officially' launch.
you've all made my day!
and yes i think flintshire is seen as the bit the english have now haha
thank you again xx

[MJBMI]

Are you sure the profits will make it all worthwhile?
How many people in those areas buy local stuff online now? Why are they going to change their habits just because of your site unless your site is cheaper than face to face shopping in which case the retailers lose out by using you.

EBay and Amazon are worldwide so small profits per sale times large vloume of sales add up, your localised so small profits and small number of sales = loss ?

[bridges]

Hi
I am in no way invisiging that i will be rich from this overnight, however, in researching this market it is clear that people do not currently buy large amounts over the internet from local businesses, and this could be due to the fact that a. they do not know what is around the corner (backed up by market research, although most said they'd be interested) and b) according to the office of national statistic's only around 10% of small businesses actually bother running a website for their business. The service I am looking into will mean clearer postal pricing for customer's and a cheaper alternative to ebay/amazon.
I hope to expand this into something that will not only benefit me, but benefit local businesses and re-introduce people to their neighbourhood/village/town shops.
I appreciate your comments, I think it is always good to hear the up and down side to the idea. I've got to say though am so passionate about this, not sure there's a lot that could sway me that this is a bad idea.
B x

[Geoff T]

I've got to say though am so passionate about this, not sure there's a lot that could sway me that this is a bad idea.
B x

don't let that passion outweigh your business sense!:eek:

[bridges]

don't worry, wont go into anything with blind faith it'll all work out, know i'm naive about things at the moment, but am remaining very aware of that fact! haha

[Gratis Guidance]

NIce idea! :)

I am aware of a number of people who have done - or at least tried - something similar and they seem to have the same problem. Not enough customers.

The issue seems to be that internet and local don't go well together. Where something like this can work is through franchising it out under the same brand name - but then you run into the issue of it not being profitable enough to bring in a living wage for every franchisee!

With you being in Flintshire, you can have free business advice from myself and my colleagues.

If you would like to take us up on this, PM me! :)

Obviously, confidentiality is guaranteed.