Not every trader who opens an online shop makes a killing. In spite of the numerous benefits, ranging from low fixed costs to more flexibility, many euphoric entrepreneurs caught up in the gold rush atmosphere fail through committing basic errors. The Computerwelt.at expert Hartmut Wiehr has put all this under the microscope.
1) Might as well just open a webshop
Often entrepreneurs lack a business plan and have no inspirational new ideas. In any case, traders should conduct a thorough analysis of both the online and offline markets, in which their core product is accurately defined.
2) Burgeoning product offering
Dealers who are unsure of their core product tend to offer a wide range of products. This can tend to confuse the customer as well as increase the competition. Amazon and eBay offer everything imaginable so why would a customer not buy from them? Warehousing and financial outlays can then quickly run out of control for the incipient entrepreneur.
3) Bad Website Layout
First impressions are crucial. Having a professional and user-friendly website is always a worthwhile investment.
4) Save on packaging and shipping
Customers are very demanding when it comes to payment and shipping due to the standard set by the large, international providers such as Amazon et al. Payment in advance, a third-rate shipping service and bad packaging are a sure way to lose customers from the first order.
5) Insufficient payment options
As mentioned above, payment in advance is not very customer friendly. Credit card payment or Paypal admittedly incur merchant fees but nevertheless both methods combine convenience for both parties.