Internet Business

Originally it was thought that online merchants had a cost advantage, and that that would be the main benefit to buyers. We now see that the costs of distribution of many types of goods, of acquiring and keeping customers, and the maintenance and support of a web presence, may still be high enough to offset any such benefits to Internet business.

A small difference in price may not be enough of a benefit to change buying behavior so greatly. The other benefits, though, of huge choice, of appropriate, inspect able details, and of likelihood of success, may tip the scales in favor of online. Other things to consider are cost advantages for the types of items that don't require you to ship anything -- when you can just change information in a database and perhaps notify others that a transaction has occurred.

Yes, it's still worthwhile to go ahead with B2C or B2B e-commerce depending on your business model. Just make sure you have a business plan that includes profitability not too far down the road.

12 Reasons to be Online

1. Be "open" any time your customers have time to "shop" for either products or services. Today's busy lifestyles and hectic schedules mean many consumers don't get much time to shop in person, so they are doing much of their shopping online.

2. Reach customers who wouldn't get into a store otherwise. If you are only a mouse click or two away, traffic, parking, and distance cease to be an issue.

3. Maximize trade association benefits. See to it that their "locate a member" option gets results that lead the customers into the store.

4. Have your customers tell you when and what they want to buy. Online forms can make a customer wish-list reminder data base.

5. Capitalize on your credentials. Brag about the training, certification and trade experience that your staff has to offer.

6. Get your message to those who are most receptive. Bypass the busy signal, answering machine and resident teen and deliver your message to the right person.

7. Leverage your other advertising. Include your Web site address in other advertising and offer that additional motivation to get the consumers to your store instead of the others with competing advertisements.

8. Reach a global market for one-of-a-kind pieces. The web format has adequate flexibility to provide in-depth information when it comes to the unique items.

9. Connect with the local community. Promote charities, local business organizations, area schools or sponsor youth sports as well as confidence in the store.

10. Have a targeted mailing list that builds itself. Visitors signing up for the store mailing list provide opportunity to learn preferences as well.

11. Reduce staff time used for promotional consumer information People are already using the Internet as their primary research source. Answer many common questions without having hours of staff time tied up.

12. Increase store's identification with brand name products. When your customers find your products' Web site, shouldn't they also be finding one for your store?