DIGITAL experts are encouraging local businesses to embrace e-commerce to tap into export opportunities, cautioning that other countries are already ahead in this space.

At the recent Digital Jamaica Summit at the Jamaica Pegasus hotel, CEO of Get Paid Leighton Campbell reassured businesses that digital transformation is a gradual process that can make a significant impact on their operations.

Campbell emphasised that understanding the customer’s online buying journey is crucial, beyond just facilitating payments. He highlighted the importance of bridging the gap between convenience and speed in e-commerce execution, allowing local businesses to participate in the global online market.

“E-commerce helps you reach customers wherever they are, regardless of geographical boundaries,” Campbell explained. “Everyone looks to e-commerce to increase their reach, and that’s why exporters, in particular, should pay attention to this.”

According to the Digital Report Jamaica, the country boasts an impressive 85 per cent Internet penetration rate. This means that any company selling a product can potentially reach 85 per cent of the population, a number that is expected to grow even more rapidly as Jamaica continues its shift towards digital transformation. Furthermore, the report highlights that nearly 75 per cent of the population has bank accounts, enabling them to conduct online transactions. Additionally, the number of credit and debit card holders is approaching 50 per cent, providing a significant opportunity for businesses to tap into the online market.

Accepting card payments anywhere is crucial for doing business online, as it enables companies to meet customers wherever they are, even from the comfort of their own homes, and complete the sale. Campbell emphasises that while growing a social media following and marketing list is important for connecting with people digitally, it’s ultimately pointless if you’re unable to close the sale. In other words, being able to facilitate online transactions is essential to converting leads into customers and driving business growth. He further urged businesses to start with what they have and where they are, highlighting the first step as utilising free resources such as Google My Business. This allows businesses to increase their searchability on Google and enables customers to leave reviews, which can lead to advocacy and further growth.

“The only way we can become a wealthier country is by earning new money outside of our borders, and we must do this through exports,” emphasised Dr Hugh Blake, CEO of Trade Board Limited. He urged businesses to visit the Jamaica Information Trade Portal for guidance on trade and to initiate conversations. Dr Blake highlighted that the Trade Board offers two programmes to support businesses in leveraging technology for their operations: the Jamaica Trade Information Portal and Export Jamaica. These initiatives aim to help businesses capitalise on export opportunities and thrive in the digital economy.

“The trade trends are clear; it’s imperative that you get on board. We can’t remain passive and complain that nobody is giving us information; we must also take the initiative to seek it out. I’m confident that if you seek, you will find a wealth of information available,” he said.

“Informing yourself is a significant part of your responsibility, but the trends are unmistakable: if you want to do business in the future, you’ll need to get on board or risk being left behind.”

The summit, organised by the Jamaica Business Development Corporation, aims to collaborate with 2,000 companies to educate them on how to digitise their businesses. Additionally, the programme seeks to work with a further 5,000 companies to provide more in-depth guidance and support, enabling them to effectively implement digital solutions. This nationwide initiative is designed to help businesses across Jamaica integrate technology into their operations.