12 reasons to list on G-Cloud 12

In no particular order, we've chosen 12 of the main reasons why suppliers should list on G-Cloud 12.

Your competitors use it

This one goes without saying. If you’re competitors list on G-Cloud, or are going to list on G-Cloud 12, then you should too. Being on the framework gives an easy way to do business with the public sector – and if you’re not on it, you’re missing out. If your competitors are on it and you aren’t, well that means they might be taking all the possible business. You can see if your competitors use G-Cloud by looking at the spend data too, which is made publicly available by Crown Commercial Service.

Your competitors don’t use it

On the flip side, if you look at the spend data and see your competitors aren’t using G-Cloud, then you might have the opportunity to get an edge over them. If you get on to the framework and make deals with the right buyers, your competitors will be missing out – rather than you.

You want to sell more to the public sector

If you’re already selling to the public sector, there is always an opportunity to sell more. G-Cloud is a well-known, and well-used, framework for buyers to procure cloud tech. With £5.6bn+ spent by the public sector through G-Cloud alone since 2012, there’s much more to come.

Its quick and efficient

The whole point of G-Cloud is to create a way for the public sector to procure technology easily, and quickly. Where normal tender process can take months, G-Cloud can be cut down to weeks and, in some instances, days. This is all because of the ability for buyers to directly award contracts in some cases!

You’re an SME

The Digital Marketplace is one of Crown Commercial Services flagship frameworks, and main ways that the government plans on ensuring that at least £1 of every £3 spent is with an SME. At the moment, 44% of sales on G-Cloud are with an SME. So, they’re already doing a good thing. There’s a lot of SMEs using the framework for sure, over 90% of all suppliers in fact, but if you’re not on it you can’t be involved.

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You’ve been asked if you’re on frameworks

If buyers are asking you if you are on any frameworks – then you need to be. Buyers will want to use methods that are fast and less effort for themselves. Frameworks such as G-Cloud do just that!

A buyer told you to use it

In some cases, a buyer might ask you directly if you use G-Cloud. As above, if you’re not on it and they want to do business this way, you’ll have to wait until the next iteration opens up. It’s not worth missing out on the business, and buyers wont want to hang around.

You’re currently using a partner to be on G-Cloud

You might be helping a partner, or working as a subcontractor for another supplier, who is on G-Cloud. While this is all well and good, you could also be on there yourself. Increasing your chances of success and doing business.

Buyers can directly award

As we said briefly before, G-Cloud is one of the few framework agreements that let buyers directly award if their search provides only one supplier. This all has to be done fairly, though – and the chosen supplier has to be evaluated and shown to provide the best value. Buyers also have to prove how they brought down their search to just one supplier in a fair way.

You can incorporate it into your marketing strategy

It’s worth point out, getting on G-Cloud doesn’t guarantee you sales and contracts. There’s some work to do when you’re on it. If you’re able to incorporate it into your strategy and get marketing, then it’s a big opportunity. We always suggest suppliers think about how they can promote themselves and build their relationships within the public sector, to help boost their presence on G-Cloud.

Terms and Conditions are adhered to by using G-Cloud

Applying to list on G-Cloud 12 means you’ll have to adhere to its terms and conditions, as well its overall agreement. This means that buyers know you’re already okay to do business with, cutting down a lot of the time. The whole point of G-Cloud is to make it so that all services and tech is procured fair and square.

It’s better to list on G-Cloud 12 than not!

Finally, it’s just worth being involved. If you’re not on it, then you run the risk of missing out! Whether it’s the risk of missing out when a buyer wants to use it to procure your services, or as a tool for your public sector marketing and sales strategies (Top tip: if your buyer doesn’t use it, explain to them why they should!).

So there you have it, 12 reasons why you should list on G-Cloud 12! There are many benefits, explored before in our Value of G-Cloud, but this covers some key reasons why suppliers of cloud technology should get involved.