A WINE merchant is one of more than 50 businesses which have boosted online trade through a “digital capability” grant.

Morrish & Banham in Dorchester is also among more than 100 helped by the support agency Dorset Growth Hub since a funding stream for digital was launched last year.

The 50 digital capability grants were part of a wider package of help including workshops, courses, face-to-face advice and web resources.

Four-year-old Morrish & Banham saw an instant uplift in enquiries once it retooled its website for e-commerce.

Co-founder and owner Caroline Banham said: “Our website looked good but it wasn’t doing what we wanted it to do. It was a shop window when what we needed was a full e-commerce platform.

“Thanks to the support of Dorset Growth Hub, we’ve been able to rebuild it with better functionality and navigation, giving us added confidence to grow.”

Dorset Growth Hub says the food and drink sector is one of the main groups pursuing greater digital transformation in Dorset.

‘Micro’ businesses, including producers and retailers, have been benefitting from Dorset Growth Hub’s links with membership organisation Dorset Food & Drink.

Under that tie-up, Morrish & Banham attended a free usability testing workshop where businesses had their websites analysed from the user’s perspective by Experience UX, organisers of the UX Insider conference in Bournemouth.

Also present at the workshop were Capreolus Fine Foods, Dorset Chilli Shop, preserves specialist From Dorset with Love and naturopathic food supplier Primrose’s Kitchen.

Caroline Banham said: “The workshop enabled us to view live customer feedback. It is enlightening to see how your website works through the eyes of potential users.

“That was a line in the sand.We knew there and then that unless we fixed the issue with our website, there was no way it was going to do what we wanted it to do. Armed with fresh insight on what we needed to do to improve, we completed and put in the grant application.”

Dorset Growth Hub secured the business a £1,500 grant through the European Structural and Investment Fund, which the firm matched from their own investment pot.

After sourcing three quotes, Morrish & Banham awarded the contract to upgrade their site to Bournemouth-based digital marketing agency Uprated.

Ms Banham said: “As soon as the improved site went live, we saw an instant change including an increase in enquiries about the business, particularly about our events and sales. The site now offers an experience that better reflects our business.

“We have more confidence to put the web link everywhere on social media and we’re really excited about the potential for growth in the coming year.”

In the past year, Dorset Growth Hub has received 66 applications from businesses for Digital Capability Grants, approving more than 50. Aside from grant funding, 105 businesses have received 12 or more hours of support from the hub’s digital team. Ninety-two workshops have been delivered with an average of 10 attendees per event.

Dorset Growth Hub digital project manager Richard Burn said: “The number of small businesses in Dorset transforming their digital reach is rocketing and this entrepreneurial spirit is set to continue in 2019.”

Ali Carmichael, co-founder and commercial director of UX Experience, said: “We’re always keen to help local independent businesses, which is where the idea of the free usability testing workshop came from. It was a very insightful day for all involved. Caroline has taken our recommendations, driven them through her new website and is now enjoying the results.”