How do small e-commerce businesses compete with the big competitors out there? It’s simply a case of making your brand look credible. Whether it’s through customer reviews, changing your email address format or adapting your tone of voice, there are a number of ways to look bigger than you really are.
At first glance, big, well-established businesses have got it made. They enjoy lower operating costs, have hefty advertising budgets that get them noticed and talked about, and have perfected systems and procedures that help deliver a flawless service.
But the internet is a great leveler, making it possible for even sole traders to compete with massive companies. You need a great service or product that people want to buy, of course. Then it’s just a case of making your brand look credible. Here are some tips that can help you look bigger than you really are:
1. You’re not one person anymore
2. Spend money on your website
3. Get a logo
4. Right the words write
5. Invite customer reviews
6. Get email addresses that look the business
7. Get a corporate mailing address
8. Refine your email signature
9. Add security certificates to your site
10. Use the power of SEO to compete with the big boys
Exports of UK goods and services rose to a record high of £620.2 billion in the year to March 2018 according to new trade figures just released by government sources.
Exports grew faster to Canada (up 12.7%), India (31.8%) and China (15.3%) than to the EU (10%).
Goods exports were up 10%, driven by a demand for manufactured goods, while services exports rose 4.2% due to strong global interest in the UK’s prestigious financial and travel services.
Non-EU countries remain the main destination for UK services (£167.4 billion), making up 60.4% of all services exports.
In the second part of our blog series on IFS staff profiles – here is Ingrid Kirkby, International Freight Consultant.
“My initiation into the logistics world started in 2001 when I joined the customer service department at TNT, having spent several years as a travel agent. We were responsible for both domestic and international shipments at the depot in Hellaby, Rotherham.
I joined Courier Logistics in 2007 as customer service manager and managed a team of customer service agents until 2017 when I joined International Freight Solutions. It’s a great company to work for and the days are never dull, we are dealing with different destinations around the world and learning lots of interesting information along the way. Our small team takes pride in ensuring we make the booking process as easy as possible for our customer, from initial enquiry right through to providing a proof of delivery.
Out of work I love my holidays, having travelled to Hong Kong and Majorca this year. Hong Kong was certainly a holiday of a lifetime and we were lucky enough to have Chinese friends there who were perfect guides and made sure we experienced the local culture. I even managed to bring back Green Tea Kit Kats for Paul and Adam – and they are actually green!”
Maersk and IBM to Form Joint Venture Applying Blockchain to Improve Global Trade and Digitize Supply Chains.
The aim of the new company will be to offer a jointly developed global trade digitization platform built on open standards and designed for use by the entire global shipping ecosystem. It will address the need to provide more transparency and simplicity in the movement of goods across borders and trading zones and should also speed up the whole process.
You’ve arranged for the transportation of your goods and know they are going from A to B but don’t forget that all-important paperwork! This is the topic of our final blog about the services offered by IFS.
Customs brokerage can be arranged to facilitate the customs clearance process. Export documentation including Letters of Credit, Certificates of Origin and EUR1 can also be provided. Let us help you make the paperwork easier.
We can also offer warehousing facilities for your container loads that may be arriving from overseas for unloading and storage for the short or long term to help smooth over the process of their transition.
Call our team who can advise you on what might be the best service for you! Alternatively, complete our enquiry form and we will respond to you promptly.
As always IFS have provided an excellent service with plenty of support. Jamie couldn't have been more helpful and his communication is always timely and spot on. Can't recommend them highly enough.
Response from the owner:Many thanks for the glowing review Clare, it really is appreciated. Jamie will be especially pleased seeing as you have given him a mention! We look forward to assisting you again
Barry S.
Adam handled everything we needed for a quick delivery to Australia, the box was with us in less than a week, highly recommended.
Response from the owner:Many thanks Barry for taking the time to leave a great review for us - it is appreciated. Hope we can assist you again in the future
Jeff B.
Working with Catherine and IFS has been a breath of fresh air. Communication has been excellent, she keeps you informed throughout the entire process and makes something that others could easily make difficult feel… well, easy.
If you want someone who treats your shipment like it actually matters (because it does), Catherine is the one. Highly recommend, my stress level definitely approves 😄.
Response from the owner:Glad you are happy with our service Jeff. Cath's communication is great - she does like to talk!😆We appreciate your business and look forward to assisting you again.
Rachel J.
Great service. We needed a parcel collecting from Italy - all arranged very smoothly, efficiently and a very quick delivery.
Response from the owner:Thank you for the great feedback Rachel. Glad everything went well for you and that you were happy with our service.
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At first glance, big, well-established businesses have got it made. They enjoy lower operating costs, have hefty advertising budgets that get them noticed and talked about, and have perfected systems and procedures that help deliver a flawless service.
Exports grew faster to Canada (up 12.7%), India (31.8%) and China (15.3%) than to the EU (10%).
“My initiation into the logistics world started in 2001 when I joined the customer service department at TNT, having spent several years as a travel agent. We were responsible for both domestic and international shipments at the depot in Hellaby, Rotherham.
Customs brokerage can be arranged to facilitate the customs clearance process. Export documentation including Letters of Credit, Certificates of Origin and EUR1 can also be provided. Let us help you make the paperwork easier.
