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Fine tuning solves website problems
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Focus of study:
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E-commerce case study |
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Sector:
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Precision manufacturing |
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Impact:
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Local & National |
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If implemented correctly
the Internet can be a powerful tool for sales and marketing
for the majority of businesses. It can provide a simple and
effective way of distributing information to potential and existing
customers, to either sell products and services, or to provide
regular information updates to your client base. |
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| Presently SMEs are currently
being bombarded with information and sales calls about web sites
and all aspects of the Internet, but how do they know who to
give their business to? Who to trust? Who will still be around
in 6 months time? Making the right choice is very important,
as the case below shows. |
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| A small precision engineering
firm in Windborne, Dorset has established itself on the web with the
support of a Technology Means Business (TMB) adviser |
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| Aerotech Precision Manufacturing
Ltd made a false start with its first foray into e-commerce. Roger
Foley, owner and operator of the manufacturing firm, said he was disappointed
with the result of work done by a local web shop to design his original
website and turned to his local Business Link in Wessex for help and
advice. They put him in touch with Ian Burton, a TMB Accredited Adviser
working with Aptek, an ICT consultant and software developer. |
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| Ian recommended a phased programme
to rebuild the Aerotech site at www.aero-tech.co.uk.
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| The first task was to test
the network, identify problems and fix them. Ian Burton said: "We
helped Roger decide on the content and message he wanted his site
to put across. We commissioned graphic designers to give the site
the right look and feel for the business, which wouldn't cost a fortune.
We also liaised with his Internet Service Provider to get him the
right service for his needs." |
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| Subsequently, Roger Foley
has called on his TMB adviser's services again. This time it was to
audit the software systems of a bankrupt precision engineering business
he recently purchased. "We found £100,000 worth of software
which took one day to reconfigure for re-use - an added bonus to the
purchase of the bankrupt company's stock and premises," says
Ian Burton. |
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| If you are thinking of entering
the global super highway make the decision in the same way you would
make any other business decision about a supplier. Have a clear idea
of what you want to achieve and how much your budget is. |
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Ask friends, colleagues, associates
or associations (Technology Means Business, Business Link, UK
online for business) for recommendations |
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Ask for references and check them. |
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Check professional qualifications |
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Look at examples of the supplier's
work. |
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Have a clear agreement about what
you are paying for and what are billable extras that are likely
to arise. |
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