Came across this recently (via BBC News) and thought it relevant. Please note Zinc3 did NOT produce the website mentioned.
New website boost for Balfron hamper firm
28 November 11 13:08
A Stirlingshire company that has sent Tunnock’s tea cakes to Senegal and clootie dumpling to Scottish troops in Afghanistan has reported a 30% hike in sales after revamping its website.
Endrick Trading said it had sold 1,000 hampers in just five weeks following the re-launch in October.
The firm sells hampers, packed in Balfron, to ex-pats around the world.
It overhauled its site after seeking advice from support organisation Business Gateway.
Endrick owner Lee Rooney said he expected the new website to generate 3,000 hamper sales by the end of January – an increase of 50% for the same period last year.
He said: “Although the majority of our sales are delivered to people in the UK, around 30% go overseas to America, Canada and even Kazakhstan.
“Scotland produces some of the finest food in the world and it’s not just ex-pats who buy our hampers – it’s people who realise the best place to get smoked salmon, shortbread and whisky is Scotland.
“Last year we sold three tonnes of haggis and this year we are on schedule to sell four.”
Endrick currently sends hampers sent to more than 40 countries worldwide.
E-commerce
Mr Rooney, a former television assistant director who worked on shows such as Taggart and Casualty, entered the world of e-commerce five years ago by launching a cigarette bin site just before the Scottish smoking ban.
The 42-year-old entrepreneur now runs nine websites.
He said: “Ten years ago I wouldn’t have been able to run a website, never mind nine, from a rural village like Balfron.
“The internet has opened up so many possibilities, not just for the consumer but for the business community, as it provides 24/7, 365 days of trading worldwide.
“E-commerce is an amazing way to do business but you need to have the right site and product to generate interest,” he added.
News Item Copyright BBC News 2011
