need advice on selling products online

[pearl]

I am interested in selling products through my website.

Is it just a case of going to my usual whole saler and advertising them on there? am I being stupid, is it more complicated than that or is there any other way to do it?

Any advice you can offer would be fantastic.

 

[Verve Designs]

Hiya,

I've owned a web shop for years www.extensionize.com This company started out as a hair extension supplier, along with specialist shampoos etc. But, im afraid there wasn't the money in it- to be blunt. *the hair jewels are really successful mind you and "took over" the business.

Its not really more complicated than that no. But I'm not sure the margins are really going to be worth it if you're buying low-quantity wholesale and then reselling.

Have you done the maths for your buy price, sell price and margin? Factoring in the price of either creating your webshop (if you've not already done so) and then having secure payment facilities etc.

 

[pearl]

Hi,

thanks for your advice, your website is ace, I am gettting married next year at christmas and I will definately be getting some of those for my hair.

I have really only just had the inspiration to sell online, not got so far as research or pricing yet. Got along way to go yet.

Pearl

 

[Ruth Mills]

As far as setting up a web shop goes, the easiest ways to take payment are PayPal and Google Checkout. Both offer integration with many existing "off the shelf" shopping carts, as well as a choice of API (application programming interface) for several different computer languages and platforms (e.g. Java, ASP, .NET etc).

Other advantages of these payment methods are:

(1) No monthly maintenance fee is payable - you just pay a percentage fee on the amount of each transaction that is made.

(2) All of the secure payment handling is done on PayPal's or Google's servers - so you don't need the hassle of setting up an SSL certificate or making sure that your server and database complies with PCI (payment card industry) standards.

 

[Verve Designs]

Hi,

thanks for your advice, your website is ace, I am gettting married next year at christmas and I will definately be getting some of those for my hair.

I have really only just had the inspiration to sell online, not got so far as research or pricing yet. Got along way to go yet.

Pearl

You're welcome- and thanks!

To be honest- I was a bit clueless before I started it up.

The way I figured out if it was going to be profitable or not was to figure out every single margin-affecting factor such as-

Wholesale price/selling price
Price of postage
Packaging price
Price per transaction (i.e. Paypal fees)
Website hosting/design
Taxes
Advertisting/Marketing

(and im sure theres a few more I cant remember)

Once i'd done that I was able to figure out exactly what I'd earn per item sold.

This is before you get wholesalers and manufacturers insisting you sell things for a certain price and putting restrictions on you!

You'd also have to figure out distance selling rules, and policies on returns etc etc.

Its a fair bit of work...but more than do-able. But...really do the figuring out first.

If you're making 50p profit per item sold (after everything)- you'll have to sell 200 to make a hundred quid!....and thats a lot of work in real terms.

 

[essentia]

The main problems I have found is that manufacturers of the products can change the way that their product is sold and they can enforce it immediately. You may find that you will be restricted to certain ways of selling. Another issue is the time you need to dedicate to the online business. Customers expect very quick delivery (I blame it on Amazon!) and this can sometimes be difficult if doing this by yourself especially if you have a trade as well. If you advertise and give good service a nice business can be picked up. It is the same with any venture and will take time and commitment. Relying on one product can also be risky unless you make the items yourself.

 

[ultimategeek]

HI i've been trying to purchase your hair jewels but your website www.extensionize.com is under maintanance i wanted to purchase the three for two offer by the 20th of june will this be possible as i would love them for my prom. I've tried emailing you but have had no reply and check your site everyday but your still not back up and running please please help.

Hiya,

I've owned a web shop for years www.extensionize.com This company started out as a hair extension supplier, along with specialist shampoos etc. But, im afraid there wasn't the money in it- to be blunt. *the hair jewels are really successful mind you and "took over" the business.

Its not really more complicated than that no. But I'm not sure the margins are really going to be worth it if you're buying low-quantity wholesale and then reselling.

Have you done the maths for your buy price, sell price and margin? Factoring in the price of either creating your webshop (if you've not already done so) and then having secure payment facilities etc.

 

[Ruth Mills]

HI i've been trying to purchase your hair jewels but your website www.extensionize.com is under maintanance i wanted to purchase the three for two offer by the 20th of june will this be possible as i would love them for my prom. I've tried emailing you but have had no reply and check your site everyday but your still not back up and running please please help.

That's Carl's website... he's away in Greece on holiday until Monday (14th June)... you'd be best getting in touch with him then, hope that helps

 

[ultimategeek]

That's Carl's website... he's away in Greece on holiday until Monday (14th June)... you'd be best getting in touch with him then, hope that helps

thank you so much for letting me know ive been in a mad panic hopefully his website will be back up and running by then or at least he'll see my posts on here you wouldnt happen to have any contact information for him would you so i can get in touch with him directly. Thanks again you dont realise how much of a relief your message was to me.

 

[Ruth Mills]

thank you so much for letting me know ive been in a mad panic hopefully his website will be back up and running by then or at least he'll see my posts on here you wouldnt happen to have any contact information for him would you so i can get in touch with him directly. Thanks again you dont realise how much of a relief your message was to me.

Actually, please give him a shout now... he's back in the country if not officially working yet

 

[ultimategeek]

Actually, please give him a shout now... he's back in the country if not officially working yet

Hi sorry how do you mean give him a shout now im a little new to all this haha

 

[Ruth Mills]

Hi sorry how do you mean give him a shout now im a little new to all this haha

LOL, I meant send him an email

Don't worry if you get an automated response back saying he isn't back until the 14th either... am sure he'll be happy to sort this out for you... it's just that he wants a break from all the graphic design stuff for the next couple of days or so lol...

 

[ultimategeek]

LOL, I meant send him an email

Don't worry if you get an automated response back saying he isn't back until the 14th either... am sure he'll be happy to sort this out for you... it's just that he wants a break from all the graphic design stuff for the next couple of days or so lol...

I sent an email and he replied saying i'll be able to get them woo thank you so much for your help i'll now be able to sparkle at my prom woohoo!! Thanks again