Home-grown online shopping centre to boost business

Come On Shopping Project Officer, Tiffany Gilleland and Executive Officer Nathan Axelsson test-drive the new site.

Regional Development Australia Northern Inland (RDANI), with support from Local Councils and Chambers of Commerce, has built the region’s biggest and most innovative online shopping centre.  In a first nationally, Come On Shopping will be an online shopping centre experience for the region’s businesses and customers.

RDANI is a not-for-profit organisation and is delivering Come On Shopping as a cost-effective service, to help local businesses access online trading and help grow the region’s digital economy.
A 2013 report into businesses in the Digital Economy by Regional Development Australia Northern Inland found that 86% of businesses in the region do not sell to customers online in any capacity, while 56% have no e-commerce site or online strategy at all.

“The web is an obvious way regional businesses can combat the tyranny of distance, yet it has not been happening. We’ve been more web-shy than our city counterparts. Come On Shopping is our practical solution; a hassle-free option for local businesses to sell goods and services online” said RDANI Executive Officer, Nathan Axelsson. It’s unique because customers will be able to search and buy from multiple stores in one transaction, much like if they were walking around your town or city centre.”
Come On Shopping will allow a business to access an easy-to-use website with full online shopping cart functionality, from as little as $39 per month.

“Building a website can cost thousands of dollars. Come On Shopping will be just a few hundred a year and is a one-stop-shop for everything a business could want to sell online, cushioning them from the impacts of changing market conditions in a struggling regional economy,” RDANI Chair, Russell Stewart said. 
Customers will be able to take advantage of delivery rates from $10-15 anywhere in the region, as well as a click-to-collect option, where they can collect goods in store.

The Come On Shopping initiative will help channel growth in the region. Any business looking to be involved or find out more can contact Tiffany on 1300 966 575 or go to www.comeonshopping.com.au