Web portal Oswill.com.au aims to develop 1,000 franchises across Australia

A newly-launched online portal is offering businesses the opportunity to offer products, trades and services as franchisees, with the aim of developing more than 1,000 franchises nationally.

Oswill.com.au was launched earlier this month by franchising expert Matthew Holland, a member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors and the Franchise Council of Australia.

The site is divided into three divisions – shopping, trades and services. According to Holland, the site offers franchising opportunities to both new and existing businesses within each division.

“Oswill is offering businesses the opportunity to offer products, trades and services under the Oswill brand and through the Oswill portal as franchisees,” Holland says.

“For instance, a small business owner could franchise his pool-cleaning services in a particular suburb without the hassle of having to set up his own website and advertising.”

Holland says he set up the site after recognising the increase in consumers sourcing products and services via the internet.

“On this basis, independent providers are struggling to compete with larger brands. We aim to develop more than 1000 franchises nationally,” he says.

Holland says Oswill offers payment processing, invoicing, a national rewards program for customers, and a national marketing campaign that includes radio, digital and print media.

Oswill also grants every franchisee exclusive rights to sell their products, trades or services within a particularly shopping category or geographical area.

Several franchises are already up and running on the site, including Westsyde Connection, a specialist skateboard shop based in Sydney.

Westsyde Connection has entered a 12-month agreement with Oswill to be the only business selling its products within Oswill’s skateboards and skatewear category.

According to Westsyde Connection founder RJ Williams, the business considered opening its own online store but was deterred by the cost, claiming it would have been in excess of $20,000.

“In addition, the ongoing fixed costs to drive traffic were high – $2,000 to $3,000 per month – and it didn’t seem worthwhile,” Williams says.

“Oswill has done all the hard work for us with suppliers, online platforms, traffic, rewards programs, payment platforms and national transport discounts.”

“They take a percentage cut on all sales and all we do is collect payment, and pick and pack.”

Holland is confident increased sales for one franchisee may lead to increased sales for another, because they are both located on the same web platform.

“The products offered through the online store will complement the trades and service available,” Holland says.

“[This] not only provides consumers with the utmost convenience, but also gives franchisees the opportunity to increase revenue.”