The social network Facebook, which has recently offered a “ turnkey ” online store system, will launch a digital training program for French VSEs and SMEs on Monday.
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In detail, 100 training courses, developed in partnership with the companies Prestashop and Shopify, will be offered free of charge until the end of the year on an online platform as part of an initiative to " stimulate the recovery of small and medium-sized businesses." companies ”(PME), Facebook told AFP.
France " lagging behind "
The platform will also provide access to a diagnostic tool allowing entrepreneurs to assess their level of adoption of digital tools. At the same time and on the occasion of the summer holidays, Facebook will launch, with the French start-up Mapstr, a collaborative map allowing to obtain recommendations and information on tourism businesses in France.
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France is " lagging behind in terms of digital competitiveness " compared to its European neighbors, concludes the American firm, based on the results of a study commissioned from the Ipsos institute. According to this study, which cites the Eurostat organization, France ranks 21st among European countries on the share of online sales made by SMEs. " 82% of French people aged 16 and over buy at least once online per year, but only 16% of French SMEs sell online, " Facebook boss for southern Europe Laurent Solly told AFP. , saying they want to help close this " gap ".
$ 100 million in donations to SMEs
“ 25% of VSE and SME bosses say they have a lack of skills in the face of digital transformation. If these people have poor digital skills, we have to provide solutions, ”he continued. The social media giant is rolling out a new tool, called “ Facebook Shops ”, which allows brands to create a “ store ”. The SME users will have the option of paying for advertisements that redirect consumers to this sort of personalized “ showcase ”.
Facebook also announced in March a $ 100 million donation program to help SMEs around the world dealing with the coronavirus epidemic. While this aid has not yet been distributed in France, Facebook " hopes to be able to make a point on it during the month of June, " assured Laurent Solly.
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Facebook claims to be used by 38 million French people and by 50% of VSEs / SMEs in France, mainly for their communication needs.