THE BCMPA has reported a ‘large increase’ in users to its website since lockdown as potential customers look to the Internet for outsourcing solutions.
The association for contract manufacturing, packing, fulfilment & logistics said it has responded to the rising demand by introducing a series of ‘enhancements’ to its site, which is currently receiving over 15,000 unique page views a month – double the number of visitors from last year.
An improved search facility and online enquiry form are said to have seen an ‘upsurge’ in enquiries for members’ services. These have been from industries including food and drink, personal care, pharmaceutical, chemical and household goods, all needing help to cope with demand brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic.
The BCMPA explained that an improved navigation and structural design allows prospective customers to create a shortlist from the association’s 160+ members.
Rodney Steel, chief executive of the BCMPA said, “Since lockdown we have seen a significant growth in outsourcing across every sector. In particular enquiries for personal care items, such as hand sanitisers, rocketed by over 500% and as the nation returns to work we are now seeing requirements coming in for kitting of back-to-work packs and testing kits.”
With many exhibitions being postponed to 2021, some show organisers are moving to virtual or online formats this year to help people keep up with the latest trends and to provide sales routes for exhibitors. The BCMPA has introduced a new webpage dedicated to online events and webinars.
Mr Steel added, “Since we relaunched our website in February 2019, we have embarked on a programme of continuous improvement to ensure it remains both user-friendly and a valuable source of information for our visitors. As we entered lockdown and project enquiries and site traffic began to dramatically increase, this became more important than ever. Further developments will be introduced in the coming months.”
