Inside Business
ADVERTISING FEATURE The pros & cons of online commerce
E-commerce continues to grow and is now a feature of everyday life . In 2016 , £ 133 billion was spent online , resolving frustrations for shoppers at key times of year such as Christmas , including overcrowding and parking charges . So for any small business , there has never been a better time to get online !
While there are services out there that can get you up and trading in a couple of hours , it can still be a scary business . Building and operating a website that can process payments can seem expensive and complex . Maybe it is not right for your business ? Some online retailers are now opening physical stores , and by 2021 some experts predict online sales will slow down . And with British shoppers spending more per household online than any other country , it still only accounts for 17 % of retail sales . Having a visible brand online is certainly important , but developing skills to engage with your customers is vital . NFU Mutual ’ s new Online Retail Guide is available via their website or from the local agency .
Contact NFU Mutual on 01983 329254 or visit their website at nfumutual . co . uk www . visitilife . com 31