Welcome to 60 seconds with... where we interview a great business every month.
This month, we met with
GardenSite.co.uk's Partner, David Coton to get the low-down on his best business advice and highlights in a minute or less!
PayPal (PP): In your own words, can you tell us a bit about GardenSite please?
David Coton (DC): We are an online garden retail website. Established in 1999, we are focused on providing the same level of excellent customer service to that of our brick and mortar garden centres based in Birmingham, UK.
PP: How would you describe your customers?
DC: Our customers often have a passion for gardening and the great outdoors. They often want a product that will create the perfect space.
PP: What’s been your biggest highlight since GardenSite started?
DC: To have the opportunity to grow from a local business into a national one. We now have 18 years of experience trading online, selling thousands of products across many countries. We continue to grow with the aim of becoming the go-to place for our customer's gardening needs.
PP: What would you say is the one thing GardenSite couldn’t function without?
DC: People! Whether it be our suppliers, our distribution partners, our knowledgeable and hardworking team or most importantly, our valued customers, we wouldn't have a business if it were not for these great people.
PP: How has the growth of mobile impacted your business?
Like most businesses, we recognised the importance of going mobile-friendly early on. We understood that GardenSite would benefit from an increase in mobile traffic and more importantly from a better rate of conversion.
PP: What is your favourite thing about using PayPal?
DC: It’s quick and easy for our customers to shop using PayPal. They are reassured by the PayPal brand which leads to increased online sales conversion.
PP: If you were to give one piece of advice to other businesses, what would it be?
DC: Understand the technologies your business uses as this will help you to survive and grow online. Maintain a hands-on approach and keep up with the latest trends and changes.
PP: Finally, if you were stranded on a desert island, what 3 things would you take with you?
DC: A large knife, a lighter and most importantly a satellite phone to call for help and get me off the island!
PP: Thanks for joining us for 60 seconds David.
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