.London domains launch online business community portal

Dot London, the official domain name for the United Kingdom capital, has launched a new interactive portal on makeyours.london to help showcase the small businesses using Dot London web addresses and empower those looking to set up their own business in London.

A survey recently commissioned by Dot London found that 43 per cent of Londoners have had an idea for a business that they never followed through with. Some of the factors that hold people back include fear of failure, lack of connections and lack of skills. Dot London’s new business portal hopes to stifle that trend.

The portal includes an interactive map of London highlighting businesses across a number of sectors, including retail, food and drink, property and venues, who are using Dot London web addresses. It additionally features case studies from active London-based small businesses giving advice to their peers about key issues, such as networking, marketing and ecommerce.

Some of the businesses giving their fellow Londoners top tips include: family-run personal training gym, The Fitting Rooms; independent ethical clothing label, Henri; and Southern France inspired restaurant, Sardine.

David Jordan, Co- founder of the Southwark-based gym, The Fitting Rooms, said: “There’s nothing like the thrill of running your own business, but most people hide behind the fear and never go for it. Everyone gets scared. You just have to learn how to use it as fuel to keep on pushing through.”

Henrietta Adams, founder of Shoreditch-based fashion label, Henri, said: “My business has had its fair share of obstacles to overcome. I jumped in headfirst and was probably pretty naïve. The lesson is to build really good professional relationships with both suppliers and clients, so if there are any problems you can work out a solution. Good relationships mean that you can also be assertive and honest without causing offence.”

Prospective entrepreneurs visiting the portal will have the chance to get advice on some of the more fundamental parts of setting up a business, such as creating a business plan, how to finance your business and choosing a name that best reflects your brand.

Dan Hill, Head of Dot London, said: “Our interactive portal was created to support and encourage London’s thriving small business community. It aims to give entrepreneurs the chance to share their experiences with others and build a unique community platform for those who are proud to show that they are based in the capital by using a Dot London web address.”

All businesses with an active Dot London web address can register and feature on the portal, free of charge. Visit makeyours.london/discover to find out more about the Dot London Online Business Community Portal.