myVbook celebrates rapid expansion
The founder of a fledgling Nottinghamshire business has told Insider that his online virtual book has garnered interest from Premier League football clubs alongside other household names. Mark Joyner co-founded myVbook.com in April this year, and has already sold the product to customers in 26 countries worldwide. Joyner, whose customers hail from Romania, Estonia and Australia, said that expanding into foreign markets has “made up about 50 per cent of the order book”.
Joyner founded the online book, which can be customised, edited and shared, with his business partner Geoff Liberman after looking for an alternative to photo albums.
Joyner said: “We are really delighted with the way the business has taken off. It’s expanded very organically – the product has been used by companies to send out newsletters, and by customers wanting to share wedding and holiday photographs and footage.”
He said that because the product is sold online, it is able to be “translated across the globe”.
He added: “Expanding into other countries has definitely been a big part of our business, about 50 per cent of our sales are coming from abroad at the moment.”
“International expansion is definitely the way forward.”
He also said the company had been in major talks with Premier League football clubs among other big business names.
“The software is now being used by local charities, hospices, football teams, schools and a wide range of SMEs. The UK base is also expanding at quite a rapid rate. It’s certainly an exciting time for us," said Joyner.
The company employs 20 developers in the Midlands. Joyner adds: “As well as the core team, we also outsource a lot of the work to other businesses."
But despite the brand’s success, he does not think the online market is ready to supersede the high street yet.
“I don’t think that online sales will replace the feeling of going into a shop where you can see and touch a product," Joyner said. “People do a lot more research online, but the caution is still there when it comes to buying."
