Pictured with Danske Bank’s Oonagh Murtagh (left), and NI Chamber’s Sandra Scannell (centre), is Al Graham of Target Dry whose ‘Mac in a Sac’ product retails globally via the company’s website. 

As an increasing number of small businesses turn to the internet and e-commerce websites to sell their products overseas, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce brought together a number of e-commerce experts this morning at the latest Danske Bank Export First event – ‘E-Commerce for Export’.

The event provided over 50 Chamber members with an opportunity to hear how to bypass traditional and expensive routes to export and start selling goods or services online as a fast track approach to trading in new markets.

Speaking after the event, Sandra Scannell, Operations & Programmes Director at Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce said:

“Small businesses and startups are turning to the internet and e-commerce sites mainly due to cost. Small businesses can’t afford overseas sales team and the internet connects the consumer with the small business both cheaply and quickly. With an effective e-commerce website, Northern Ireland businesses can market and sell their goods and services to any country in the world.”

The event featured four experts including Gavin McKechnie (The Web Bureau), Eddie Morgan (DisplayNote Technologies), Al Graham (Target Dry) and Hannah McKee (Hastings Hotels).

‘E-Commerce for Export’ follows research published earlier this year by website Freelancer.co.uk who analysed 2,200 small businesses in the UK and found a 42% increase in the number selling their products online and a 36% rise in the number of small businesses selling their products overseas via their e-commerce sites. The survey also found that a large number of startups in the last year began trading exclusively online, with a 32% increase on the year before.

Pictured with Danske Bank’s Oonagh Murtagh and NI Chamber’s Sandra Scannell (front) are (l-r) the events ‘e-commerce experts’ Eddie Morgan (DisplayNote Technologies), Hannah McKee (Hastings Hotels) Gavin McKechnie (The Web Bureau) and Al Graham (Target Dry).