Kick start your eBusiness at one of eHampshire's sell out workshops

According to a recent report by consultancy firm Delloite's the Christmas rush is taking shoppers away from out of town shopping centres and back to the High Street, shoppers are also spending online with a predicted £5bn being taken through online shopping.

In order to help local retailers and small businesses take advantage of this change in spending habits, the eHampshire Partnership, in conjunction with Business Link, is launching a new programme of half day eCommerce Workshops for 2008.
Working with Southampton-based internet specialists, Adido Solutions and London based Sign-Up.To technologies the workshops will focus on:-

• How to increase your website visits using the latest online marketing techniques.


• How to update your website to increase search engine traffic


• How to make the most of Pay Per Click (PPC) advertising


• How to gain customer loyalty and keep customers coming back


• Online Marketing and permission based marketing for retailers/cafes and bars

eCommerce Sales top £30bn in 2007

Deloitte’s annual Christmas Retail survey shows that more and more consumers are looking online for a local shopping solution than ever before.

30% say they will look to buy their food from farmers markets and local shops, 40% are looking to the local high street for gifts whilst 2/3rds say they will buy online.

Despite the global credit crunch the retail ‘golden quarter’ is looking to be even bigger this year according to the Deloitte & Touche survey, the average spend per person is set to rise by 7% to a weighty £706 up from £662 in 2006.

eHampshire will be launching a new series of eCommerce Workshops to help your business take advantage of online sales and marketing in the New Year.

Profitable eBusinesses in action

Have you got a bright idea or a burning ambition to be your own boss?

Lyn Peters interviewed two start-up business entrepreneurs for eHampshire's Profitable eBusiness Series, and discovered that both companies have taken advantage of the Web to launch their business and win customers.