GARDEN TRADER OWNER MAKES INDUSTRY PLEDGE

After a strong first 12 months, Duncan Murray-Clarke, the owner of the Garden Trader website has announced that any revenue the site generates from subscriptions or sponsorship this year will be ploughed back into further promoting the service to the public.

Map of Garden Trader paid-up dealer subscribers

The website which acts as product and dealer search directory only for specialist garden machinery dealers in the UK, now boasts over 170 specialist dealers as paid-up subscribers. It has been designed to support and promote the dealer industry to consumers who are specifically searching for garden machinery products and services.

Duncan said, "The Garden Trader website exists primarily as a tool to publicise the specialist dealer trade and specialist services to the garden machinery buying public.

"In 2017 dealers were offered the service to trial for free and we invested to make sure the site was extensively promoted. Every penny this year (which the site generates from dealer subscriptions and manufacturer sponsorship) is being ploughed back into the site to raise its profile with consumers who are at the point of purchase.

"We are committed to placing dealers in front of the wider, mainstream public who may not even be aware that our skilled network exists. We are offering dealer subscribers a competitive advantage against the likes of B&Q, Homebase and internet-only retailers, who all offer little or no support. 

"I feel so strongly about helping promote our sector, I am making a commitment to not make a penny profit off of Garden Trader for the whole of 2018. All revenue generated will go straight back into getting the names of specialist dealers out there through online advertising initiatives."

Garden Trader has recently benefited from the addition of Husqvarna as a site sponsor. STIHL has been supporting the site since launch and Duncan says they hope to announce more very shortly.

A dealer branch listing costs £95 plus VAT per year (£1.82 per week) and it's not too late for dealers who want to catch this season to register their dealership.