Boston Online

Written on Thursday 16th July 2009

This project entails creating a website portal for the town of Boston with a view to promoting economic regeneration of local independent traders by encouraging repeat trade with e-commerce. The basic concept is that the "Boston Portal" will be linked to a retailer controlled Webtail site, which allows independent retailers to sell online easily. It should also be possible to link into and promote tourism in the area with additional links into sites for accommodation and attractions.

Recent statistics show that 48% of computer products are now purchased online and with online retailing growing 26 times faster than the High Street it makes sense for independent retailers to have access to this lucrative market place. The costs of selling via the internet and the technological requirements have historically been a barrier to smaller businesses selling online and the market has generally been left to large corporate e-retailers.

F1 Group, Lincolnshire Chamber of Commerce and Boston BID Ltd are hoping to reverse this trend by making e-commerce available at acceptable cost levels. As a rough guide the Lincolnshire Chamber offering will give an initial set up cost of circa £900 plus a monthly management charge starting at £30 per month depending on the level of service taken.

Full details of the project can be found by clicking the icon below "Boston Online Project"  Clearly for a scheme of this nature we need to have a critical mass of businesses interested in supporting the project so if any members are interested in participating I would ask them to email me with their details.