Expert advice, industry insights and actionable tips to help you grow your e-commerce business.

News & Updates

Artboard

<h3 class="p1">It&rsquo;s official, Noughts &amp; Ones is now Certified B Corp&trade; Shopify agency!</h3>
&nbsp;
With an above average score for our sector, we are mega proud to be at the forefront of driving positive change within the e-commerce industry.
&nbsp;
As a certified B Corp&trade;, we are now part of a global community of companies that use business as a force for good. This means we&rsquo;re balancing purpose and profit, and continuously aiming for higher environmental and social standards.
&nbsp;
Although we have been living and breathing the values of B Corp since 2018, our formal certification has been in the works for over a year (the application process is rigorous) as the B Lab team scrutinises every part of a business across five key areas: Governance, Environment, Workers, Community and Customers. In order to certify, a company must achieve a minimum of 80 points in the B Impact Assessment and we are delighted to have achieved a score 103.4!
&nbsp;
Whilst we are taking some time to celebrate our achievement, we are also aware that this is just the start. The B Corp&trade; badge doesn&rsquo;t just mean we meet the highest environmental and social standards, it also commits us to keeping these high standards up for the long haul.
&nbsp;
<a href="https://www.bcorporation.net/en-us/find-a-b-corp/company/noughts-ones/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">CHECK OUT OUR B CORP PROFILE</a>
&nbsp;
A huge chunk of points came from our Conscious Development&trade; framework and how we&rsquo;ve been putting these principles into practice with the clients we work with. As a combination of e-commerce best practices and digital sustainability principles, we are working hard with our clients to ensure that the Shopify stores we deliver are:
&nbsp;
<ul>
<li class="p1">
<h3>Design&mdash;conscious</h3>
</li>
<li class="p1">
<h3>Code&mdash;conscious</h3>
</li>
<li class="p1">
<h3>People&mdash;conscious</h3>
</li>
<li class="p1">
<h3>Partner&mdash;conscious</h3>
</li>
</ul>
&nbsp;
We have loads of plans in the works for how we can evolve our Conscious Development&trade; framework over the coming months / years by introducing new partners and service offerings.
&nbsp;
Thank you all for being a part of this remarkable journey. Together, we will continue to push for positive change, shaping a more sustainable and socially responsible e-commerce industry.

We are a Certified B Corp&trade;!

Explore the latest insights, trends, and stories on sustainable e-commerce and Shopify expertise. Stay informed with Noughts & Ones' blog.

Blog — 

Speak to us today

Submit a project brief

20230912 1770

From new projects to ad-hoc development support, we offer a range of services to help you grow your Shopify store. We'd love to hear from you!&nbsp;

20230912 1698

Our B Corp&trade; journey so far

We've appointed a new Operations Director!

Sustainable e-commerce brands that are killing it right now

Noughts &amp; Ones join the Ocean Network

How to set yourself apart as a conscious e-commerce brand

Quick ways to reduce your personal digital carbon footprint

We've been named a UK Clutch Leader for the second year in a row!

An introduction to green hosting and green hosting providers

What Google Analytics 4 (GA4) means for your online Shopify store

What is greenwashing and how do I spot it?

Challenging the climate crisis at the Festival of Sustainable Business

Brain food for the development team at Shopify Unite 2022

How to find the right Shopify agency for your brand

How to Properly Test the Speed of your Shopify Store

How do different types of disabilities affect website users?

Is my Shopify website bad for the environment?

Meet the merchant: Maeving

The ultimate guide to low-impact web development

Winning at Black Friday for small e-commerce brands

SEO for Shopify: 8 Best Practices for eCommerce Success

The Benefits of Product Subscriptions for Shopify Stores

A deep dive into ethical and sustainable website design

Shopify Editions Winter 2024: What's new?

Shopify Editions Summer 24: an N&amp;O Perspective

Figma Config 2024

Industry Insights

Blog Banner Conscious Brand Fashion

<div class="IntroText-module--introText--GFS8Y">
<div class="Grid-module--container---9KHR">
<div class="IntroText-module--container--as3Pt">
The e-commerce space is officially booming. With demand for online retail at an all time high and showing no signs of slowing.
&nbsp;
Your brand's positioning helps you differentiate from your close competition &ndash; and this has never been more important. This short article will highlight how setting yourself apart as a conscious ecommerce brand, establishing a reputation for sustainability and ethical trade can help your triple bottom line: profit, people and planet.
&nbsp;
</div>
</div>
</div>
<div class="Content-module--content--PPKKH">
<div class="Grid-module--container---9KHR">
<div class="Content-module--container---c5ry">
<h3>The rise of conscious e-commerce</h3>
&nbsp;
One of the many benefits of e-commerce comes from the choice and easy comparison that online shopping affords. While this is good news for our customers, as retailers we need to stay on top of our game &ndash; a competitor's more appealing option is just a click away.
&nbsp;
While price is always going to be a significant deciding factor, margins are margins, and to a certain extent, your hands may be tied here.
&nbsp;
Increasingly however, customers are looking for more than rock bottom prices or the&nbsp;<a class="Link-module--link--P9E65 Link-module--linkEmphasisHigh--E94t2 Link-module--linkReverse--tSUSI Text-module--textWeightNormal--fNka3" href="https://www.designrush.com/best-designs/websites" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">best website designs</a>. They're looking for brands that align with their values.
&nbsp;
From the "Attenborough effect" on our desire to reduce plastic usage, through to the new perspectives brought by the global pandemic, many consumers are starting to move towards more conscious consumption patterns. As many as&nbsp;<a class="Link-module--link--P9E65 Link-module--linkEmphasisHigh--E94t2 Link-module--linkReverse--tSUSI Text-module--textWeightNormal--fNka3" href="https://walnutunlimited.com/rise-of-the-conscious-consumer/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">75% of UK shoppers claim to be consciously modifying their behaviour</a> when it comes to consumer items.
</div>
</div>
</div>

<h3>How can your brand acknowledge shifting demand?</h3>
Let's be real. Becoming a more ethical and mindful retailer is the right thing to do on any level. But when you're operating a business, any major modifications to your practice need to be affordable, realistic and sustainable.
&nbsp;
It's also important not to just pay lip service to a shift towards being a conscious e-commerce brand. Underestimate your customers' ability to spot <a class="Link-module--link--P9E65 Link-module--linkEmphasisHigh--E94t2 Link-module--linkReverse--tSUSI Text-module--textWeightNormal--fNka3" href="https://earth.org/what-is-greenwashing/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">greenwashing</a>&nbsp;at your cost.
&nbsp;
But by taking a few well-considered, meaningful steps in the right direction, you can send a clear signal to your customers that you're genuine about moving towards a greener business. And clearly communicating this through your marketing communications will not harm your chances of being favoured over your close competition. You're also giving customers a great reason to remain loyal.
&nbsp;
Let's take a look at three areas where you can start making impactful choices right away.
&nbsp;
<h5>Sustainable packaging</h5>
In the wake of Blue Planet II, plastic became public enemy number one, with&nbsp;<a class="Link-module--link--P9E65 Link-module--linkEmphasisHigh--E94t2 Link-module--linkReverse--tSUSI Text-module--textWeightNormal--fNka3" href="https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/88-blue-planet-2-changed-david-attenborough/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">88% of viewers changing their lifestyle</a>&nbsp;as a result. And whilst in some instances, the use of plastic packaging&nbsp;is&nbsp;the greener option (e.g. specialist packing to reduce the risk of breakage and waste of very fragile products), conscious consumers are not going to be pleased with an unboxing experience that involves a mountain of wasteful wrapping.
&nbsp;
Again, we need to be realistic. Smaller brands may well baulk at the price of switching to more costly recyclable alternatives. But this is about small, incremental changes. Think laterally and creatively about your buying and shipping practices. Could you encourage some of your larger suppliers to reduce the amount of excess packaging in the shipments you receive from them? Could you repurpose the boxes your deliveries arrive in to send products out to customers?
&nbsp;
Look at getting some return on the investment you make into greener packaging. You can do this by making sure you communicate this choice effectively on your packaging &ndash; give people a reason to give you more of their business. A prominent sustainability page on your store is also a must.

<div class="Content-module--content--PPKKH">
<div class="Grid-module--container---9KHR">
<div class="Content-module--container---c5ry">
<h5>Transparency in your supply chain</h5>
Consumer confidence in brands is being eroded. As companies' less-than-ideal sourcing and manufacturing strategies come to light, faith takes a hit across the board. And in the future, brands can (rightly) be expected to be held to higher standards.
&nbsp;
This is especially true of certain verticals, most notably fast fashion, which has taken a pummelling in the media following a string of high profile&nbsp;<a class="Link-module--link--P9E65 Link-module--linkEmphasisHigh--E94t2 Link-module--linkReverse--tSUSI Text-module--textWeightNormal--fNka3" href="https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/jul/08/boohoo-fashion-factory-retailer-uk" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">scandals</a>.
&nbsp;
Being open and honest about your sourcing process and principles is important. This isn't about perfection, but progress. Attitude and aspiration is important here &ndash;&ndash; be clear about where you're at with your current practices and set out your intentions for any improvements you're moving towards in the future.
&nbsp;
Again, communication is key. Do the right thing, because it's the right thing to do &ndash;&nbsp;but don't miss the chance to shout about your efforts. Communicating what you're doing also helps to build awareness of how other brands can follow your path.
&nbsp;
<h5>Your digital footprint</h5>
Many assume that because e-commerce brands aren't maintaining large, brightly lit stores, their operational carbon footprint must be low. However, energy-hungry, product-packed websites all run from servers somewhere, and these data centres are seldom powered by green energy sources. When we also factor in the transition networks and end devices, the sharing of data can be a big factor in terms of pollution, contributing to <a class="Link-module--link--P9E65 Link-module--linkEmphasisHigh--E94t2 Link-module--linkReverse--tSUSI Text-module--textWeightNormal--fNka3" href="https://www.viessmann.co.uk/en/company/blog/the-worlds-digital-carbon-footprint.html" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">4% of our greenhouse gas emissions.</a>
&nbsp;
Start by acknowledging your digital carbon footprint, and go from there. There are many steps you can take to improve the energy consumption of your e-commerce store, from more efficient SEO to best practise around images, through to server caching and leveraging PWAs.
&nbsp;
<h5>Progress, not perfection</h5>
The e-commerce industry needs to take a long, hard look at itself when it comes to sustainability. There's a lot more we could (and should) be doing, and in years to come, let's hope that positioning yourself as an ethically-minded, greener brand won't be a differentiating factor!
&nbsp;
But, while it still is, do the right thing and shout about it. Set aside some time to address the ways in which you could take steps towards becoming a more conscious e-commerce brand, and enjoy the beneficial side effects that come with this stronger market positioning.
</div>
</div>
</div>

Blog Banner Surfers Agaisnt Sewage Ocean Club (1)

<h3>Climate change is arguably the most pressing crisis this, and future generations will have to face.</h3>
&nbsp;
One of the keys to a greener future lie in protecting our oceans. Learn more about the impact of climate change on our oceans in Surfers Against Sewage's&nbsp;<a class="Link-module--link--P9E65 Link-module--linkEmphasisHigh--E94t2 Link-module--linkReverse--tSUSI Text-module--textWeightNormal--fNka3" href="https://noughtsandones.cdn.prismic.io/noughtsandones/2a02a810-1ffd-4c20-a836-d938431e6378_2021+Ocean+and+Climate+Report.pdf" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">2021 Ocean and Climate Report</a>.
&nbsp;
As a collective of humans, we are long-time supporters of Surfers Against Sewage (you may have <a href="https://www.linkedin.com/posts/tomlocke01_millionmileclean-team-beachcleanup-activity-6816341165516845056-sg2i" target="_blank" rel="noopener">seen our beach clean</a> for the Million Mile Clean a few months back) and now, we are proud to share that we have become corporate members of the Ocean Network!
&nbsp;
As an Ocean Network member, we are joining a powerful network of like-minded business leaders in the fight against&nbsp;<a class="Link-module--link--P9E65 Link-module--linkEmphasisHigh--E94t2 Link-module--linkReverse--tSUSI Text-module--textWeightNormal--fNka3" href="https://www.sas.org.uk/our-work/plastic-pollution/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Plastic Pollution</a>&nbsp;and support Surfers Against Sewage on their mission to clean up UK beaches by 2030 and mitigate the impact of climate change on our oceans.
&nbsp;
Although it is only a small step, we firmly believe that small collective changes create bigger shifts.
&nbsp;
If you would like to get involved with Surfers Against Sewage, discover more on their website now and become part of the change 👉 &nbsp;<a class="Link-module--link--P9E65 Link-module--linkEmphasisHigh--E94t2 Link-module--linkReverse--tSUSI Text-module--textWeightNormal--fNka3" href="https://www.sas.org.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">www.sas.org.uk</a>

Expert advice, industry insights and actionable tips to help you grow your e-commerce business.

We are a Certified B Corp™!

How to set yourself apart as a conscious e-commerce brand

Noughts & Ones join the Ocean Network

Want to reduce your impact and boost your online sales?

Contact

Our Services

About Us

Legal Stuff