Tips
Hi Guys,
Im currently done with the UI for my new business which will sell consumer electronics, I am currently busy with the backend which should be ready by saturday, i would like some advice as to what people think on ecommerce sites and what tyoe of marketing appeals to people who buy consumer electronics online.
If you have no skills to reduce costs on web development/online marketing/experience with what you are selling it can be tough.
There are fixed costs that don't come too cheap and that is if you hire or partner with vendors who don't make too many mistakes or take long to implement changes.
Another person here said focus on a niche and I think that's the most important, pick a niche you understand/are passionate about and it can be possible to slowly build a successful online store.
If you look at the Wootware guys, their focus has been on service/advice and sometimes on pricing.
Pricing is difficult because you really can't compete with the bigger players, they get better pricing from history/bulk buying/paying later on account.
Also new sites can't rely on SEO, paid marketing can work with retail on Facebook, AdWords is often too pricey for small companies unless you can convert at a higher rate, bigger retailers often work on lifetime value and not ROI on the first sale.
Source: Started a e-commerce store in 2004 that sold to a big company after 10 years, currently work in online marketing full time, am currently involved with an e-commerce store that my girlfriend put up over a weekend for a niche product and a year later it's doing super well (because she doesn't have to outsource anything)
I really believe focusing on service in South Africa is the best path, treat customers how you want to be treated, learn to filter out the cheapskate/difficult customers who are never happy.
Ultimately you will need to partner with at least one other person for skills and morale to be successful.
