[chelseamorning15]

Hi ladies!
I'm feeling a bit overwhelmed yet excited reading through this forum. Could someone please explain exactly how an internet based store works? Once you get your site all up and running and able to take orders, then what? When someone places an order, how do you get the product from the company that produces it? Do you keep a stock of all your products (that sounds near impossible). Anyway...any info is appreciated. Thanks so much!

Rebecca

 

[marisa]

Hi Rebecca!

First you have to decide what products you want to sell. What products do you really enjoy using? Is there something different you can offer on your site that people really can't find many other places? After you decide what sort of products you want to carry, browse the internet and locate the manufacturers websites. You can inquire about their wholesale policies and order minimums. You will need a resale permit to provide the wholesalers with your tax ID number. You usually buy things at wholesale and mark them up 100%. You will have to purchase inventory to keep at your home. This is where it starts getting pricey! It's also helpful to purchase mailing supplies, like sturdy shipping envelopes and boxes. You can decide to ship things out through the post office or UPS. Web store setups like wahmshoppes.com pretty much provide everything you need to set up a store. If you don't have an account with paypal.com, it would be helpful to set one up and accept payments through them.
Then you need to figure out how you will advertise! This is the important part! If noone knows you're around, how will they find your site? Hmmmm.... what else? I'm sure I'm missing something!

 

[Graeme]

Hi Rebecca,

I have just finished making a website for someone doing, and would be happy to give you any pointers. This woman sells soaps, bath salts, lip balms, hand / foot lotions and other things, and wanted to take it online. The best bet, and what we tried, was Paypal shopping cart - it is very easy, I'd be happy to walk you through it.

Have a look at the website to see how the paypal shopping cart works - I'm not sure what you are selling, but you might find the design / concept of this site helpful.

Let me know what you think, here is a link to the site:
Soaps, Gift Baskets, Bath Bombs, Lotion Bars, Hand / Foot Lotions, Bath Salts

Let me know what you think and please feel free to contact me,

Graeme