Affordable Websites for Independent Retailers

Free trial of e-commerce solution

Multi-channel commerce is increasingly important and relevant for independent retailers, especially at this time of year when many consumers turn to the Internet to do their Christmas shopping. But without expertise and knowledge, building an e-commerce website can be a minefield as you struggle to find an option that best suits your business, let alone one that is affordable.

With many years experience in designing websites, Kevin Flannigan has set up a 30 day free trial for independent retailers looking to test the water for a new or improved site. The trial also gives you the opportunity to see how much you can do yourself, and how much help you need to get started. The trial uses Magento Go, a scaleable e-commerce package that includes hosting and technical support.

Magento is an open source e-commerce web application that was launched in 2008. At the start of 2012 it had surpassed 4 million downloads worldwide. In fact, the software is so good, in 2010 eBay announced it had made an investment in Magento and by 2011 it owned the software outright.

Magento Go is a streamlined version of Magento. It's trusted by more than 125,000 businesses worldwide and offers the power and flexibility of Magento at a price that every business can afford. The beauty of Magento Go is the fact that it's a totally scaleable, hosted e-commerce solution. In times of austerity, having a scaleable 'one stop shop' that can be amended very quickly is a great way to control costs.

Kevin recently built and launched the website for Miss Milly, a new supplier of affordable, quality jewellery, and has also worked extensively on retail websites for the fashion, health and beauty industries.

“Miss Milly wanted a reliable platform that showcased its products beautifully with good search facilities whilst also being straightforward to use,” explains Kevin. “Even though the company is a wholesaler, it wanted to have an aesthetic retail feel, which I think we’ve achieved.”

Once you have played around with the trial website, if you wish to go ahead and develop it further, there are different options available from just £9.99 per month. And you will not be left on your own as Kevin offers a variety of design and e-commerce support packages from helping with new branding and logos suitable for online use, to building a website optimised for search engines, setting up a payment provider, and pre and post launch training and support.

With the www.missmilly.co.uk website now live since late August, the company’s managing director, Sarah Watmore, is delighted with the functionality. “Kevin was hugely supportive, creative and proactive throughout the design, development and launch process. He really understood our brief and took a real interest in the business, which has resulted in a fantastic showcase for Miss Milly.

“And with his help, hard work and advice, it has only taken us six weeks to reach page one on Google search for our priority key phrase.”

To start your no risk 30 day free trial, go to www.kevflannigan.co.uk/trial or contact Kevin on 07813 206786 or by email to info@kevflannigan.co.uk for further information or design and project management quotes.