Helping your horticulture business spring up this Spring
It's no longer news that eCommerce has become an increasingly important channel for businesses to sell their products. However, as more businesses seek to open up new channels, less obvious retailers such as horticultural nurseries are embracing the possibilities it brings to reach customers beyond their local area. According to a 2019 survey conducted by the Horticultural Trades Association, gardening is the most popular hobby in the UK, with an estimated 27 million adults actively gardening, indicating an enormous market waiting to be tapped.
Additionally, a study conducted by the Royal Horticultural Society in 2020 found that more than three-quarters of UK adults surveyed (77%) said that gardening had a positive impact on their mental health and well-being, adding another market segment for savvy retailers to appeal to.
In this blog, we will explore some of the key considerations for horticultural nurseries in the UK looking to sell online.
One of the challenges faced by horticultural nurseries is the lack of any central networking groups - as many nurseries and growers are independent being part of larger groups isn't perceived as beneficial. However, this individuality can also be an advantage, as it allows for a greater degree of flexibility and autonomy and, many believe, creates room to give a more personal service to the customer.
The sometimes remote locations of nurseries is another excellent reason to embrace eCommerce. Not only do you open up a nationwide market for your plants, you reduce the risk of frustrated (and lost) customers going elsewhere, both through online selling and clear directions to your nursery via a free tool like Google Maps. A well-designed website with an easy-to-use eCommerce platform can help your nursery to reach a wider audience and sell more products.
âLockdown saw a huge interest in houseplants, especially succulents! But the immediate need (and cost) to package them correctly for couriers caught us out. We know the demand is still there, if not as high as it once was, so yeah, we know we need to re-address our website and online shop to meet this other market.â
In addition to selling directly to consumers, horticultural nurseries in the UK may also want to target industry specific periphery businesses such as wholesalers, landscape gardeners, and even outdoor living and lifestyle. These businesses can be a valuable source of revenue, especially during times when B2C demand is low.
When it comes to choosing an eCommerce platform, it's important to do your research and choose one that meets your specific needs. Some platforms are better suited to small businesses, while others are designed for larger enterprises. You should also consider factors such as ease of use, customer support, and ease of integration with other software tools.
It's also possible that you already have a website that's not delivering the results you need. If that's the case. it's time to consider digital marketing strategies - search engine optimisation, paid Google ads, social media advertising and email marketing are all effective ways to reach new customers and keep existing ones engaged with your business.
âWe use a lot of social media such as Instagram but we know we need to look at our website again. It doesnât reflect us as a business anymore but we just havenât got the time, or patience, to update it.â
Finally, if you have any further queries about selling online and eCommerce for horticultural nurseries, we're here to act as a sounding board for your ideas and questions. Having a thriving business from home means you can focus on what you love - growing beautiful plants - while still reaching a wider audience through eCommerce.
Horticultural nurseries in the UK have a great opportunity to expand their business by selling online, and the demand is there. With the right eCommerce platform, digital marketing strategy, and mindset, your business can reach new customers and increase your revenue without sacrificing your love for growing plants.
What our clients say about us:
âOur business is very seasonal, we have two main points in the year for shipping orders. An additional complication is that we are dealing with live products and products with a shelf life. We needed an e-commerce site and would be available to take orders all year and be capable of dealing with seasonal peaks in demand, in orders and in payments and the service from Webselect absolutely does this and the team are great to deal with.â
Chris Ireland-Jones — Owner
Avon Bulbs
"We needed a Shopify upgrade that would better reflect the achievements and ambitions of our Community Interest Company. Webselect provided straight forward advice and instructions throughout the project, The whole process with Webselect has been really easy, they advised and helped us to understand what needed to happen, giving us a fresh look which captures our ethos."
To find out more, contact
By calling: 0208 066 1000
Or email us at: [email protected]
To see some happy gardening clients of ours, visit here