Bermuda Sun, September 25th 2009
By Don Burgess
No business is too small that it can't share in the spoils of Internet sales.
emedia Bermuda Limited, says there has "been a tremendous increase" in companies seeking eCommerce websites.
Jennifer Ward, owner and managing director for emedia Bermuda Limited, said "eCommerce is now taking Bermuda by storm with three new local websites offering customers the option to pay online. Atlantica Intellectual Capital, Designer Flowers and Outside the Box Thinking (OTBT), three companies that could hardly be more different, have all seen the advantage of adding online purchasing to their websites."
She added the Atlantica site (www.atlanticaic.com) allows customers to sign up and pay for their participation in conferences through www.atlanticaic.com.
"They have seen a positive reaction to this as several attendees took advantage of the convenience of using the online system."
The OTBT (www.otbt.bm) uses their new website as a more traditional "online store" featuring a variety of hands-free devices for cars, bikes or homes. Ms. Ward said the devices can be purchased directly from the site, or it can function as a contact point for those who are interested in more extensive systems of devices.
"Another well-established company that has decided to make eCommerce a part of its business plan is Designer Flowers. Designer Flowers (www.designerflowersbermuda.com) recently reintroduced online ordering of bouquets and arrangements, a practice that is particularly helpful for those overseas who would like to purchase flowers for their friends and family in Bermuda. They had previously tried online ordering, but abandoned the practice as being too costly."
"We have seen a tremendous increase in clients seeking eCommerce sites," says Bridget Figur, web development manager for emedia, who built all three of the sites listed above.
"It is now being seen as a viable way to increase your client base and can be adapted for a variety of businesses." She added that she already has several other eCommerce sites in production, which will be going live in the near future.
Ms. Figur said now local banks offer accounts with low monthly rates and per transaction fees, so that if only a few transactions are made online each month, that is all the client will pay for.