JING Tea wins Google competition for best online retail business

South London online tea retailer, JING Tea, has won Google’s Best of British Web competition, which recognises small UK businesses who are making the most of the internet.

According to Google, the competition was designed to inspire small businesses to make the most of their websites and reap the business rewards of being online. According to a recent survey by IPSOS, 40% of SMBs in the UK do not have a website. Of those businesses not online, 60% do not feel having a website is necessary – many still see it as too costly or too complicated. In reality, SMBs actively use the Internet are growing four times faster than those who remain offline, said Google.

The competition, launched in May, searched nationwide for the country’s best small business websites across seven industry sectors including travel, transport, professional services and B2B, health & beauty, hospitality, retail and trade and manufacturing. Winners were selected by a panel of experts based on several criteria including web design, usability and content.

JING Tea (jingtea.com/) was launched in 2004 by Edward Eisler who wanted to create a company that could supply the best tea to the world’s finest establishments. 

After travelling around the globe and building relationships with the world’s finest tea farmers, JING Tea sources the world’s finest teas and supplies them to customers through its website.

JING Tea launched its website in 2006 and immediately saw the business grow. The company now supplies the tea to 70 countries across the globe, from Hawaii to New Zealand, as well as world renowned hotels including select Mandarin Oriental, Rocco Forte Collection and Ritz Carlton properties as well as restaurants by Heston Blumenthal and Gordon Ramsey.

Eisler, said: “Our website has played a great role in turning JING Tea into a truly international company. It has allowed us to supply our products to all four corners of the globe, allowing thousands to experience some of our finest teas and teaware. Being crowned Best UK website by Google is a great achievement for us. 

“Google is at the forefront of internet technology and recognition from them is as high praise as we could hope for. It reflects the hard work that we have put into our online presence and convinces us that the time we have put in has paid dividends.”

Google said it is determined to help more retailers like JING Tea take advantage of the internet’s potential and help the UK economy grow by encouraging small businesses and entrepreneurs to visit www.gbbo.co.uk, where they can get access to the free and simple website builder run by Google’s partner Yola.com, and download the tips and tricks guides to boost their existing websites.

Matt Brittin, managing director Google UK, said: “We’re delighted to crown JING Tea as the retail winner of our competition to find the country’s most outstanding small business websites. JING Tea is a great example to other businesses in the industry, demonstrating how using online marketing such as AdWords really helps to expand a business’s reach. We hope their success will inspire others to make the most of the Internet.”

Source: http://retailtimes.co.uk/jing-tea-wins-google-competition-online-retail-business/