Running a business in the digital age

MANILA, Philippines - It has often been said that the best way to the consumers’ hearts is to be present wherever they maybe — and over the last few years, many of these business have taken their goods to the digital space.

If you have ever tried online shopping on Olx for the latest gadgets then, like me, you know that there is a wide range of everything techie on Olx.   I take time to check out Olx gadgets before I hit the store so that I have an idea of just how much the item is going for.  I am continuously amazed at the number of sellers there are on Olx — proof positive that this kind of selling makes for good income. As a rule of thumb, it’s always good to check the information on the seller, which is readily available under the seller’s name. Information like how long the seller has been in the business and what other buyers say.

 And then there are other shopping sites for fashion and sneakers too, where shopping from the comfort of one’s home, office or car is easy as 1,2,3. Anyone who has a computer, cell phone, tablet or whatever gadget one uses to get connected to cyberspace knows that this is the quickest way to find out what is new out there. 

I know there is no faster way to do than to surf the Net to check my options rather than lining up during the weekend mall sale or driving or commuting through traffic just to buy something from the store.

And so it is no wonder that it has become imperative for small and medium enterprises (SMEs) to expand their presence and reach in the digital space with consumers’ burgeoning shift to a more digitally-connected lifestyle, which includes online shopping and retail.

So, it was with a shoppers’ joy that I recently found out that Globe myBusiness, the small and medium enterprise arm of Globe Telecom, forged a partnership with internationally-renowned e-commerce platform Shopify. As the trusted business partner of SMEs, Globe myBusiness now gives business owners an accessible and affordable portfolio of solutions that lets them reach more customers.

Founded in 2006, Shopify currently powers over 175,000 businesses in approximately 150 countries. It is a cloud-based, multichannel commerce platform designed for small and medium business. Merchants can use it to design, set-up and manage their stores across multiple sales channels, including web, mobile, social media such as Pinterest and Facebook, brick-and-mortar locations and pop-up shops. The platform also provides merchants with a powerful back-office and a single view of their business.

There are a growing number of aspiring young entrepreneurs who maximize various free platforms to showcase their products. Online sellers prefer these free sites because of their limited funds for operations, but it may not be the easiest and most efficient way to manage their operations especially if they have work during weekdays.

With Globe myBusiness and Shopify, every Filipino entrepreneur now has a platform where they can showcase their own brand.  Shopify makes it easy for anyone to build and manage their online store by providing features like the ability to design the storefront, manage inventory, track orders and customer data, view marketing and analytics information, and much more.

 “Being with entrepreneurs every step of the way has always been part of our mission at Globe myBusiness. The looming digital age requires us to offer innovative business solutions to SMEs so that we can help them run their operations smoothly and more efficiently,” says Martha Sazon, senior vice president for Globe myBusiness. “With Shopify, we continue to make our customers’ digital journey easier with an e-commerce platform complete with end-to-end operations support and accessible payment gateway, logistics, advertising and marketing services. We are excited to be partnering with Shopify to shape and redefine the future of retail in the Philippines.”

Through Globe myBusiness, SMEs can avail of Shopify starting at P429 a month.

I am looking forward to Philippine merchants and brands maximizing what Globe myBusiness and Shopify can offer. With this partnership, the digital shopping experience will for sure be a breeze, and not to mention, a hassle-free one, especially as the Christmas season nears. Christmas shopping is a click, tap, or swipe away with more gift choices available online, thanks to Globe myBusiness and Shopify which gives SMEs a wider and more visible retail presence.

For information, visit https://www.shopify.com/globemybusiness.