Previously we saw how analytics tools can help you track the number of visitors to your site and where they came from.

Google Analytics is the most popular web analytics tool for SMEs worldwide. But to make real use of this software, make sure to take a look at Google’s Goals, a service that allows you to measure specific targets for your website visitors – for example, signing up to a newsletter or completing a purchase.

(more…)

Share

The Corkscrew is a wine merchant established in 2004 by Colm Douglas and father and son Peter and Paul Foley. The company employs three full-time staff although at various times during the year it takes on additional staff. The SME sells a range of wines to Irish customers via its websiteand bricks-and-mortar store in Dublin city centre.

The company places a big emphasis on customer service and on keeping the costs of its e-commerce offering down. Laurence Veale, who works for the SME on a part-time basis, is The Corkscrew’s head of online operations; he explains who the SME’s typical customer is: “Generally it is someone who drinks wine and likes their food. They don’t necessarily spend too much but they are prepared to spend 12 euro or more on a bottle of wine. They don’t always know what they want to buy, but they know that it is good after tasting it.” (more…)

Share

Every visitor to your website has a different back-story. Some will have found your site by searching for the products and services you offer. Others will go straight to your site because a friend, colleague or one of your sales team passed them the URL.

Once on your site, each visitor will have different expectations and desires. Some will simply want more information, while others will want to make a purchase. (more…)

Share

The mobile payments market is expected to quadruple by 2014, reaching USD630 billion in value worldwide, according to research conducted by Juniper Research in mid-2010. Juniper found that the value of mobile payments reached USD170 billion in 2010, accounting for around 5 percent of total e-commerce retail sales.

The growing demand for m-commerce functionality is being driven by the rollout of mobile devices with broadband capabilities, says John Clarke, head of product innovation at Dublin-based payment provider WorldNet TPS.

(more…)

Share

EmissionZero is an Irish carbon consultancy that was established in 2007 by parent company Ecocem Materials. The SME is based in Dublin and it employs two staff. Its clients include consulting firm Deloitte, The Convention Centre Dublin and the Sycamore nightclub.

The SME has a comprehensive social media marketing strategy that spans Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn – something professionally trained scientist and Environmental Services Manager Ciara O’Connor has responsibility for. (more…)

Share

As pressure on small businesses grows, many companies are looking for ways to trim their communications and IT budgets.

Below we suggest some ways to cut back on these costs, while streamlining your business processes and improving efficiency. (more…)

Share

A complete e-marketing strategy has many components, each of which can help you expand your business and find new customers.

Below is a whistle-stop tour of the key elements you’ll need for a strong online marketing strategy for 2011. (more…)

Share

Giftsdirect.com was established in 1987 by Lulu O’Sullivan. The company was originally known as Inter Teddy and sold chocolates and teddy bears, but it rebranded as its product range grew.

Today, the SME employs 16 full-time staff and sells over 1,000 types of predominantly Irish-made gifts to consumers and businesses who want to send presents to friends, family or clients around the world. (more…)

Share

Previously we discussed the fundamentals of the video production process, including the importance of having a clear message and knowing your audience.

For those who want to outsource their video project, the next step is finding a good production company to put the video together. What should SMEs look for in a potential video provider? (more…)

Share

10CMS develops e-commerce software that retailers can integrate into their websites in order to sell products. The SME has over 40 well-known clients on its books, including Jimmy Choo, Tesco, A-Wear and L.K. Bennett. The company recently announced the completion of a EUR600,000 funding round and it is predicting sales of around EUR800,000 by the end of this year and EUR2.7 million by the end of 2011.

10CMS currently employs 15 staff – excluding contractors – and it hopes to hire several more staff by the end of the year. The company’s main office is in London, while its support office is in Cork, and it also has plans to open a US office. (more…)

Share