Stop Thinking About Products
Too often people take a look at some of my small businesses and want to replicate them with different products/services.
These people first start searching for a product to sell. I think this mentality is wrong. First people should get serious about researching what goes into creating a small online business, THEN start looking for a product.
Many people don't realize the first steps it takes to setup a fully functioning ecommerce website. This is just a short list of things to do:
These people first start searching for a product to sell. I think this mentality is wrong. First people should get serious about researching what goes into creating a small online business, THEN start looking for a product.
Many people don't realize the first steps it takes to setup a fully functioning ecommerce website. This is just a short list of things to do:
- Finding a domain name, buying the domain
- Setting DNS servers for domain
- Finding hosting to resolve domain
- Creating an entire website
- Enabling shopping cart capabilities
- Opening a merchant account
- Finding suppliers or means of production for products/services
- Installing SSL security
- Getting page properly indexed in DMOZ and search engines
- Reaching customers
- Drawing people to the website
- Converting visitors into sales
Trying to do this on a budget of maybe less than $100 isn't easy, so much of it must be done yourself. Something simple as designing a logo can be difficult if you don't know how to use PhotoShop or other software.
Fortunately, there are solutions nowadays that take most of the technical stuff out of the process such as Volusion.com and Yahoo Stores, but even then it still really helps to be somewhat tech savvy.
posted by Neville @ 1:03 AM
25 comments
25 Comments:
What you're suggesting makes sense for the guy who knows they want to start an online business but doesn't have any actual marketable skills... The best job for them is middleman... sticking themselves between the creators and the buyers. That's not very entrepreneurial.
I dare say its not the best way for everyone but he is merely shedding some advice on how HE went about it seing as though this is HIS blog.
Good post Nev some good advice, keep on blogging!
Btw, congratulations on your achievements.
Rgds
D
Once you have the place to do the selling, you can work on deciding what to sell. That said, I do appreciate Flexo's suggestion that doing what you enjoy and are good at is a good idea.
http://professionalgfx.net/dorm-room-biz/
Almost all his posts are from your blog. Thought you might want to know.
Bob
Most people do not realize how difficult it is to get a good online presence. Thus, I have started a company to attack that EXACT problem. http://www.acceleweb.com is responsible for creating a product to allow individuals to get high end presence quickly. We are also taking customers if people want to get high-end web sites up.
Manish
Call me old-fashioned, I guess its just my need to interact with customers, clients, and potential business partners in face to face conversation. I feel that nothing beats the personal development I have learnt from being offline and out there -- in terms of talking with people, networking, talking with customers, clients.
I really don't know what all the fuzz is about online businesses, to be honest I find it cold, lonely, and inpersonal -- that doesn't mean I don't own any..I just prefer putting on my suit or tie...heading downtown for coffee and talking to potential clients or business partners.
You made less than $2,000 in the past month and a half. I see that your main source of income is still the online business, followed by selling pixels. Assuming that you're not supported by your parents, how do you intend to increase your lifestyle with that level of productivity?
If your answer is that you have "unmentioned" sources of income, why not list the revenue, and leave the business anonymous?
Thanks.
Then you can sort out the technical details of setting up the web/commerce jazz. I personally would have someone do it for me and leave me to focus on marketing.
-Chris
Then you can sort out the technical details of setting up the web/commerce jazz. I personally would have someone do it for me and leave me to focus on marketing.
-Chris
So assuming you get a site set up, AND you have a good product THEN you are faced with have what may be the most challenging piece of the puzzle - Marketing.
There are lots of great sites with super products that just don't produce.
Q: If a great product is on the web and nobody finds it...does it make a sale?"
The other problem is there is too much competition. I think you can market a product all you want, but if one site has the same thing your selling, for cheaper, I think you will be out of a sale. When I buy online, the thing I look for is price.
Back on topic: *everyone* has a great idea for a business. That's not a sarcastic comment - after talking to enough would-be entrepeneurs, I know it's true. The trick isn't in the idea, it's in the execution. Neville is dead on.
- CollegeGuy
I cannot see anyone going through a payment script and actually paying through it, if at least it isnt on an SSL connection.
Honestly, for your good sake, tackle that issue before some custmers come back to you with security issues.
Nice blog though, good ideas you have over here.
Just one thing that I can't understand is how you can buy a domain name without knowing what kind of products your are going to sell?
Did I miss a point?
The name is nothing, until you give it meaning --- marketing will bring out the meaning through proper positioning and branding strategies.
Jay
I completely disagree. An entrepreneur finds profit. Being that middle man or creator. Are the people selling things on Canal street in NYC entrepreneurial? I'd say so.
Just curious, not an IRS agent or anything. I'm considering starting a few business myself and find these to be the stumbling blocks for me.
Thanks!
If you start a micro business yourself, you can simply use a DBA (Doing business as) if you aren't making much money.
After that, it would be best to create an LLC for the business!
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