Online shopping has been slow to take off in South Africa, but things are starting to change.

Courier services are getting better, more people are using the internet and some – like payment clearing house PayPal – reckon online trade is set to triple in the near future.

If true, that presents a dramatic opportunity to make money online. So what can you do now to make sure your startup is ready to make the most of the boom in ecommerce when it comes?

How about learn a lesson from someone who’s already doing it well?

Together with our chums at JoziHub, we’re restarting the JoziConnect Sessions, a monthly get together for Gauteng tech types to learn from prolific personalities in the local scene and do a spot of networking too. Our first guest for the summer season is co-founder of Digital Planet, Neil Watson.

Over the last 16 years, Watson and his business partner Mark Levy have grown Digital Planet from a nascent online store into one of the country’s largest providers of ecommerce servcices. Today, they provide a complete fulfillment service that includes storefront, logistics, technology and customer support for some of the biggest names in South Africa, including FNB, HP, Nedbank and more.

So if you’re wrestling with questions like “how can I grow my online store” and “is it better to do everything myself or partner with someone for logistics”, or if you just want to hear more about one of South Africa’s most successful tech startups, then this is an unmissable evening.

It’s taking place on 28th October at JoziHub, 44 Stanley, Johannesburg from 6pm. Click here to reserve a ticket and get directions to the venue.

[Image – CC Warrenski]