Interesting news earlier this week highlighting how our UK economy has adopted the Internet as a business and sales channel.  The internet contributes to 8.3% of the UK economy, a bigger share than for any of the other G20 major countries, a new study suggests. The "internet economy" was worth £121bn in 2010, more than £2,000 per person, researchers at the Boston Consulting Group (BCG) said.UK is the ‘most internet-based major economy’ With the launch this week at the Business in The Dales conference of two new Purple created websites/services Yorkshire Markets (the online shopping centre for some of the finest Yorkshire businesses and products) ...

As business people we can’t have missed the rise of Social Media in recent years. What’s often harder to grasp is how can, or should, we harness these new forms of communication for our own businesses. Social Media and the Dales If we look at how businesses in our own Dales area have adopted and used Social Media we will find pockets of usage here and there - with tourism focused businesses the most visible and obvious users. This is understandable as the tourism proposition and it’s audience are well defined and simple to reach. What can feel less clear is how other types of businesses can benefit. With the upcoming launch of a range of new online services - linked to real-life Businesses and Business Associations - we have a new opportunity to reach out and connect across our region....

Moto Connection Worldwide: Website, Online Store and Payment Processing. www.motoconnectionworldwide.com Moto Connection is a locally based specialist supplier of Motocross & Enduro parts, accessories & graphics and was originally founded in is his spare time by John Wuwer. It's an interesting case study in how the Internet has enabled a specialist sole-trader to create a valuable business selling products online to a niche and global market. Beginnings “It started with selling a box of spare parts on eBay” says John who, surprised at the simplicity and immediate success, went on to create a dedicated eBay store....

Phil and Allan are attending today's Think Business – Helping Businesses Thrive [pdf of flyer] at the Middleham Key Centre organised by the Richmond Business Network.

There are a variety of businesses and trade representations here all promoting thier respective business services and products.

Purple Creative are here to promote the 'Discover the Dales' website project which will include a new brand and website design for the Lower Wensleydale area. The overall project will also include a 'Virtual Market' on-line shop facility so that small businesses, hotels, guest houses and bed and breakfasts can have their own shop presence without huge financial outlay.

We've recently taken on the creation of a website for a new ‘Pet-Friendly’ Bed & Breakfast opening soon on Maison Dieu in Richmond.

Owned by Liz Dinsmore, the property will have three well appointed bedrooms decorated and furnished to a high level of comfort and service. In addition, Eliza House will offer off-street parking and a secure area for bicycles for visiting cyclists.

Purple Creative has been selected to design and build a website that will adopt a Victorian theme in keeping with the property and it’s décor. It will showcase the rooms and facilities and will include an on-line booking facility.

Our work on the website is running in parallel with the refurbishment of the actual property.

We'll let you know when the website is on-line and when Liz is open for business!