The Ecommerce Network helps ecommerce businesses negotiate the design and build market to find a new ecommerce agency or platform. Here we speak to its founder, Mark Bolitho, for insight as to how he could help your business.
Please tell me about your business
The Ecommerce Network is a kind of ecommerce consultancy, but with a difference. I’m solely focused on the replatforming aspect and act as an extension to the sales or technical functions of a number of ecommerce design & build agencies.
Many years of speaking with people on the phones has allowed me tremendous insight in to the ecommerce design & build market. I’ve approached several agencies that have been repeatedly validated, and a couple have come to me, but each has been personally vetted, and I’ve worked with many of them closely now so understand their ethos and capabilities well.
This is not a one-size-fits-all business, and no single ecommerce agency can cover all the bases.
So, my aim is to offer all that choice in one place. I can help with any kind of requirement, be it for a simple out-of-the-box entry level implementation, or a requirement for a complex product or catalogue, one that involves complex integrations in to back office applications, both B2C and B2B, from £3k up to £500k.
My model differs from consultancy in so much is I don’t bill the client, instead being paid a commission by an agency that wins the work – a huge bonus for those that need professional help but can’t stretch to paying a consultant.
I aim to help those busy brands and retailers that aren’t really sure where to begin when the time comes to replatform or change agency. From my many years cold calling and speaking with thousands of people in that position, I know this is a big concern.
Many end up doing nothing because they’re scared of making the wrong decision. Others suffer ‘analysis paralysis’ – information overload from days, weeks, even months trawling through Google listings and are then none the wiser at the end of it.
Because I understand the market very well, I’m able to focus people in the right direction, and then present them with one, two or three suitable, very good agencies that can deliver on their technical and service requirements.
Who is the service aimed at?
Because of the ‘free to the retailer’ model, the service is ideally suited to the smaller business, up to around the £10 million turnover mark, although I can cater for the big boys turning over in excess of £100 million online too.
What are the benefits of using it to an eCommerce businesses?
First of all, it’s potentially a huge time saver. No need to trawl through Google for weeks making assumptions about who’s good or bad, no big consultancy bill, no bombardment by self-promotional and unprofessional sales people on LinkedIn.
As long as someone understands my background and that I’m impartial, and that my partners have been selected based on relatively long industry experience then they will see there’s a benefit for them. Ultimately, they’re going to end up in good hands.
I also regularly come across people that are unsure of the many different types of ecommerce platform model out there, and come unstuck as a result. I can help people grasp the nuances here, and ask the right questions in order to find the best type for them.
How much does it cost?
Nothing.
I’m paid only when one of the agencies I introduce wins the work.
If someone wants to hire me on a day rate to run an ITT process as a conventional consultant then fine, but people are generally happy to work within the roster on a free basis.
How does it work? Take me step-by-step through the process…
The process couldn’t be simpler. It goes something like this:
Assess: I meet with someone (preferable), or they remotely fill in my questionnaire. Or, we’ll go over their brief if they’ve produced one.
Review: I’ll review all information with them and advise where appropriate and necessary. I’ll produce an Outline project scope, and we then decide on which basis we work together.
Match: The requirements are then matched to the most suitable ecommerce agency or agencies on the roster. I brief them, discuss the information and make sure they are within budget and able to deliver on all technical, creative and service aspects.
Introductions will be made, I hand over the scope document to all parties, and the prospective client refines specifics with the agency, who then quotes them directly.
Is there anything else I should know?
That’s pretty much it, in a nutshell. There’s a load more information on my website, including a blog section so anyone who wants to chip in is more than welcome. I’m also on Twitter and enjoy engaging and having a bit of fun on there too.
TheeCommerceNetwork.co.uk
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