I’ll have a website with a side of e-numbers please

Did you know that flamingos are actually grey and it’s the e-number E120 (cochineal) found in shrimp which give them their pink colour?

I watched a very fascinating programme about e-numbers last night which led me to think that (certain) e-numbers are as important to products as websites are to business.

If I eat all my e-numbers, can I have pudding?

It’s a common myth to think that e-numbers are the worst things in the world and if you consume any, you will damage your brain and maybe start listening to Enya. Well if that was the case, we’d all be running around singing “sail away, sail away, sail away”, because oxygen is also known as E948.

Yes,  it’s true, there are many synthetic e-numbers which can be toxic to the human body, however, when you look at e-numbers in detail most of them are actually good for you. They provide antioxidants making food healthier, enhance colour and give extra flavour – who wants to eat a grey salmon or a bland curry?

Now, you may be wondering what the link is from these e-numbers to a business having a website. Well here goes. A website will:

• Make your business appear more attractive to your customers
• Give your business more flavour
• Make you stand out from your competitors (I like to think of this as you being the antioxidant e-number getting rid of the unwanted nasties)
• Allow  your customers to appreciate you like a fine wine (E220) or caviar (E248)

Do remember though, there are a few exceptions. Just like bad e-numbers, a badly designed website can provide you will little or no benefit and can sometimes cause more harm than good.

So there you have it. Consume lots of (good) e-numbers and make sure your business has a (good) website – it’ll make you and your business healthier.