"South Africa is seeing an unprecedented growth in both e-Commerce and the demand for franchised businesses," said M-Web Business Solutions business development manager Eddie van Rensburg. "As any business grows, it needs to be invested in. One of the most important and strategic investments that a company can make is in e-Commerce, which facilitates the secure ordering and payment for products, goods and services.
Any business, including franchises, which have e-Commerce facilities, will find that they expand their market opportunities and increase their potential for doing business globally and locally. As well as having a market-leading product range for the small medium and micro-enterprises, we have the technical know how to provide custom based solutions and content."
FASA`s executive director Nic Louw commented on M-Web Business Solutions announcement, "For any organisation to become a member of our association numerous factors have to be considered and deemed acceptable. We consider numerous factors ranging from the organisation`s credibility and annual report to the profiles of their senior directors.
Most importantly M-Web Business Solutions products, goods and services had to offer value and benefit to the franchise industry and its members. Franchising is becoming more technologically based and we feel that a brand and organisation of M-Web Business Solutions stature could only be of benefit to our members."
M-Web Business Solutions believes that an e-Commerce solution will support the growth of franchised organisations. "We have the tools and knowledge that will enhance the way these organisations do business. In South Africa`s current economic cliamate, franchised businesses will grow as will the corresponding demand for more advanced IT based solutions and services. At M-Web Business Solutions our objective is to help franchised companies grow their business and customer base and in the process we will grow with them.
Before long, organisations supplying franchises with products, goods and services will be on-line and trading. The result will be an electronic value chain. With the Internet and the correct e-Commerce solution, all businesses will be able to order and pay in real time," added van Rensburg.
The franchise industry will also benefit with M-Web Business Solutions` membership to FASA. Not only will products be supplied at specially discounted prices, but also companies, which take the solution, can advertise their services on Marketplace, located on the M-WEB Internet site. Marketplace offers advertisers a way of selling their products and services to identifiable types of viewers in a given category. The Internet provides one of the most powerful niche marketing opportunities ever. On average Marketplace gets 160 000 impressions every month and also offers advertisers the following advantages:
- A broad reach across relevant audience
- Advanced targeting capabilities
- Competitive advertising rates
- A turn key advertising solution
"Franchises form integral part of the small and medium and micro enterprises, which we champion," van Rensburg. "We have the ability to assist them in developing business to business initiatives and turning the Internet into a strategic business tool. Long term business partnerships between M-Web and the franchises will also flourish."
M-Web will soon announce a host of new products similar to M-Web`s e-Commerce Big Business Box - all packaged with specialised solutions for businesses of all sizes. The Big Business Box enables businesses to establish a commercial Web presence quickly and affordably. Geared to small and medium sized merchants, the e-Commerce solution is simple to learn and allows merchants to get up and running within a matter of hours. Online trading can start as soon as the merchant`s domain name has been registered - literally in a couple of days.
Editors note
About M-Web
M-Web is the Internet company which was unbundled from the MIH Group last year, thereafter listed in March on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange as a linked unit with MIH. M-Web is currently the fastest growing service provider in the residential market, and is currently building its profile in the corporate environment. The company has a user base of close to 60 000, and focuses on delivering superior, infotainment-based content. It has invested in leading edge network and service infrastructure to ensure it provides subscribers with a fast and reliable service. Headquartered in Cape Town, M-Web owns Computicket, has sister operations in Johannesburg and Durban and a national staff count in excess of 300 (700 including Computicket).
About FASA
The Franchise Association of Southern Africa (FASA) is a trade association for franchisors, franchisees and the professional organisations that service the franchise industry. FASA`s mission is to develop and safeguard the business environment for franchising in South Africa. Formed in 1979, FASA has strong ties with the statutory Business Practices Committee and Competition Board and is a member of the World Franchise Council. FAFA monitors the upholding of ethical standards in the industry, publishes franchise literature, arranges seminars, assists franchisors in promoting their franchise opportunities, and holds expositions
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