Mid Devon retailers are invited to FREE digital training workshops where they will be given an introduction to online presence and how social media can help boost your retail business.

Designed to help retail businesses looking to improve their online presence and social media, the workshops provide an introduction to combining the physical and retail environments.  There are four sessions which can be booked separately with the opportunity to attend in person or via Microsoft Teams.  The sessions include:

• Google my Business: getting your business to show on Google maps, the benefits of using this feature, reviews, etc
• Connecting Digital and Physical Retail: use of QR codes, intelligent software to connect sales between the two
• Introduction to modern e-commerce: websites and selling products on social media
• Introduction to social media and how to use it for your retail business (to include Facebook and Instagram) with information on hashtags

Organised by the Economic Development Team at Mid Devon District Council and delivered by award-winning digital services and training provider, Cosmic, the workshops will give opportunities for retail businesses to learn new skills and advance their digital platforms.

Zoë Lentell, Economic Development Team Leader, said

“Mid Devon’s towns are full of wonderful independent retailers offering quality service and items.  However, changing shopper habits and the domination of online giants make it harder for small businesses to be visible to prospective customers.   Studies show the importance of connecting digital and physical retail, with more customers purchasing products through social media and a high conversion rate from digital footfall to physical footfall. With many people continuing to work from home, it’s important to support our retailers with the right skills and knowledge to utilise these digital tools to remain competitive and continue to attract sales beyond regular working hours.

These workshops are being delivered to give opportunities to our retail businesses within Mid Devon to learn how to use digital platforms to work with their existing shop and help promote what their business offers. We hope our businesses find them valuable.”

Commencing from Monday 27 March, the workshops will be delivered from 4:30pm-6:30pm on Mondays in Crediton, Tuesdays in Tiverton and Thursdays in Cullompton.  Businesses across the District can book onto any of the dates.

If you are a retail business within Mid Devon and wish to book a space at any of these FREE workshops please book direct following this link: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/o/mid-devon-district-council-delivered-by-cosmic-62822942673

Those attending the workshops will need to bring their own smart devices (for example a mobile, tablet or laptop).