Boasting over 30 000 unique users and an average basket spend of R220, NetFlorist has not only weathered the dot.com fall-out, but has emerged as one of the few success stories of Internet shopping. Formed in 1999, NetFlorist a division of NetActive, was set up as a test site to determine the correct online retail model, but quickly became a favourite with online shoppers wanting to buy the last minute flowers or special gifts. Since then NetFlorist has delivered 50 000 bouquets, arrangements and gifts on behalf of their customers to various locations around the world.
80 percent of NetFlorist`s business is generated through the Internet via its presence on M-Web Shopping and various other portals, while a further 20 percent of its business is generated through its call centre. With 62 percent of customers returning for more flowers and gifts, NetFlorist is doing something right.
Initially NetFlorist developed its own e-tailing technology to cater for the facilitation of transactions on the Internet. NetFlorist quickly established itself as one of the leading online flower and gift sites in South Africa. With the challenges of e-commerce and the initial low level of consumer confidence in Internet shopping, NetFlorist had to take new steps to maintain its position and stay profitable.
This moved the company to look at new ways of encouraging traffic to its site and to make the online experience more secure and trusted by its customers. At this point NetFlorist approached M-Web Business Solutions.
M-Web Business Solutions, part of the M-Web group, entered into a comprehensive partnership with NetFlorist, which was instrumental in increasing traffic to NetFlorist`s site and enabled the company to expand its payment options to its clients. The solution included the integration of M-Web Business Solutions` SafeShop e-commerce platform into NetFlorist, as well as the incorporation of NetFlorist into M-Web`s online shopping mall.
SafeShop 3 was launched in July 2002 and NetFlorist incorporated parts of the platform into its technology in August of the same year. Through SafeShop 3 NetFlorist was able to facilitate transactions with the broadest range of payment options as SafeShop 3 caters for Visa, MasterCard, Amex, Diners, IcanOnline, Ebucks, Blue Bean, AutoPay and Nedbank Secure Payment (NSP), as well as direct deposits, COD and purchase orders.
M-Web Business Solutions SafeShop 3 also incorporates a fraud rating index system, allowing NetFlorist to detect potential fraudulent transactions. A first in South Africa, this system enabled NetFlorist to track suspicious orders and to terminate these transactions.
"The secret of our success is two-fold," says Ryan Bacher, general manager of NetFlorist. "The technology implemented by us and complimented by M-Web Business Solutions` SafeShop 3 forms the successful platform on which we build our business. The second reason can be attributed to the strong partnerships we have established with M-Web Business Solutions` pro-active and competent e-commerce team."
M-Web Business Solutions` e-commerce solution offers companies the opportunity to join M-Web Shopping and other affiliated online malls. Association with well-know online retailers enables NetFlorist to expand its customer base as well as participate in joint promotional activities with the established online community.
The online environment is similar to the real-world environment where shoppers go to the malls they know and buy from the retailers they have built a relationship with. Online shoppers also prefer to shop at renowned e-tailers. Joining M-Web Shopping meant more business for NetFlorist and the opportunity to grow its network of customers and partners online.
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