Jeremy Tauri: Websites help sales

Website sales are the way of the future.

There has been a lot of discussion recently about the move to impose GST on online purchases.

This issue highlights something I think is very important. If you are selling anything in New Zealand, you need to have an online presence.

Whether you like it or not, Kiwis buy stuff on the internet. A lot of stuff. And the Government is taking notice. In June this year, online retail spending was up almost 20 per cent compared with June 2014. There was double-digit annual growth in purchases at local and international sites.

International spending was up 29 per cent on June 2014 - despite a drop in our dollar that makes purchases from those sites more expensive.

But the weird thing is, a recent MYOB State of the Digital Nation report found less than half New Zealand businesses have an online presence, whether that is a website or a social media site.

Among retail and hospitality firms, that falls to 29 per cent.

But 58 per cent of businesses told the MYOB survey that having an online presence led to more inquiries or leads.

It just makes sense to get online. I know of two local businesses that use the internet as their preferred sales strategy. One sells vegetables, the other meat. Using websites and social media really works, even for simple grocery purchases.

I was sitting with a new client who opened her business in the past couple of months, using Facebook to help with marketing. During my meeting with her she booked two new clients who found her on the internet. It works.

With a web presence, you not only open your doors to a wider online local market but you have the potential to go international as well. There is no reason why you cannot live here and trade anywhere in the world.

Get some expert help to boost your online presence and set up where your clients are shopping.