online retailers

I have had several clients in the past that were very hesitant to start an online store, with all virtually telling me the same excuse- business is fine, why complicate things? Surly a business owner, with little time to dedicate to learning about the internet and managing a website, can make more money concentrating on his business with walk in customers right? Wrong! Yes, in today’s ever changing social media landscape, that has become business suicide!

The internet today is everywhere. In every sector of the business community. Retail, Wholesale, Distribution, Manufacturing… You name the industry, I can find you the top dogs in the niche thriving online.  The internet is needed now because it is everywhere. People are online at home, at work, on the go (with mobile phones), and in the air (iPad’s and tablets). Therefore the old cliche of a 24 hour online business model is more true than ever now.  Social media has become a mainstay for many people of affluent culture, and the middle class is the biggest online contributor online.

If you are trying to package and sell your products to your customers locally, you all are aware that location is key. With the internet, you can pinpoint your customers by time, age, income, demograhic, and geographic location. Anytime, for a modest budget. Business owners are using an online storefront to present new products, sell last years overstock, reach new markets and cities, and build a CRM system that can help business in the coming years.

The biggest difference I tell clients about online marketing for their products online is this: Print, TV and Radio allows your to market to a general audience. You “hope” your kind of customer reads your message, which is why there are “slogans” and gotcha statements in ads. WIth online marketing, the opposite holds true. People visit certain websites and therefore you can find your target market in a few minutes, so your message is more personal and direct, you can talk to your customers personally. No newspaper or magazine can give you that kind of access.

An online store can be affordable and robust. Start an online brand and show off your products and attempt to sell your hottest items. Get to know your market and customers, and invite walk in clients to give you feedback about your website. You will find that everyone is on the web, people everywhere look for goods and services on search engines like Google. Not being seen online is like having a store in the middle of nowhere.

Remember guys… Location, location, location!