Businesses are missing out on the web
14th November 2007
Hundreds of Norfolk businesses are missing out on the online retailing revolution, when the solution is simple believes Mark Littlewood, managing director of Norwich based online marketing agency, Magic Online Solutions.
Last quarter saw a massive jump in online retail sales, with sales rising 80 per cent on last year to exceed £4bn a month for the first time. This is a new all-time high, according to industry body IMRG, yet countless Norfolk businesses are missing out by not having a clear online marketing strategy. With the peak Christmas shopping period fast approaching, many Norfolk businesses could lose ground they may find impossible to make up.
"Since Magic was launched at the beginning of this year, we have forged strong relationships with East Anglia's retail market; in particular with clients such as Bennetts, Chapelfield, Aldiss, Godfrey DIY and Van Dal as well as international clients in Holland and Germany. Working with these large regional brand names has led us to identify a niche market that could benefit from our expertise in e-commerce, search marketing, accessibility and online brand building," says Mark.
"Our aim is to educate smaller, local retailers about the online opportunities that exist and remove some of the mystery which we believe can surround e-commerce and online promotions. Forward thinking independents like Norwich Lanes' clothing outlet Bespoke Boutique and ski/snowboarding store Revolutionz, have realised that a store's size does not mean they cannot compete online. Both are working with us to develop an online strategy that gives them a fair piece of the pie.
"The online retail market can be a minefield, even for the established larger players. Consumers expect much more from brands and the way that they are communicating. Viral, affiliate, blogging and email marketing are all avenues for large and small players in the market, they just need to be shown how to do it.
"Our affiliate marketing platform is something we have developed while working with Revolutionz of the Norwich Lanes, and since then their sister company Snowfit, based in Brundall. By developing a platform that enables retailers to trade online, we can technically provide a seamless trading experience that increases sales and improves profitability. With little or no upfront fee, our systems can be integrated into existing or new sites. Retailers are charged a percentage of online sales. Search engine optimisation, pay per click and email marketing can all be managed on behalf of the client who simply has to set an online marketing budget for ongoing promotion."
Mark Littlewood is considered a veteran in the Norfolk web industry. While working as a graphic designer, Mark taught himself HTML design and in 1998, just as the internet revolution began in earnest, he helped set up Affinity New Media. The company rapidly expanded under Mark's direction and the boom of the industry, winning esteemed clients from local, regional and international markets.
Having built Affinity New Media to a sizable team, and developing his knowledge of website design and search engines promotions, Mark left to set up Magic Online Solutions with Russell Evans of The Works, the marketing communications company.
Mark continues: "The partnership with Russell and The Works was a logical one for me. By joining forces with one of the leading marketing communications agencies in the area, I knew clients would benefit from the outstanding levels of creativity and client services being aligned with high level technical output and development. Together we have all key elements in place to offer clients a truly integrated approach to their marketing."
In just ten months since the launch of Magic with three people, Mark has created an eight strong team of some of the best technical, creative and strategic minds of the local web community and now offers an online package to clients as complete as the offline offering of its sister company, The Works. A rich and diverse list of clients offers credibility to the fact that Norfolk retains the technical expertise to compete at the same level as London digital agencies.
