Some people don't grasp how service or regional businesses can
use the Internet. While it is true that in person services
must serve a given region, regional Web sites are popping up
every day across the globe.
Certain service businesses may be more difficult to fulfill
with an online business; however, there are some industries
that have been gaining some success such as online tutoring,
various types of consulting (where site visits are not
needed), language translation, computer programming including
web design, and several others. To have an online-only service
business, you will need to be able to fulfill the service from
your location. One cannot wash a customer's windows from
France if he or she is in San Diego.
It is ideal to be able to close the sale without a physical
meeting, however regional B2B business service providers may
just be able to do this successfully.
Proven to sell well online - The most
successful products and services are those offering the
consumer a benefit, such as convenience. Frequently, they are
within these categories:
Commodities (see list below)
Products that appeal to enthusiasts (cooking supplies, sports
memorabilia)
Low-touch services (travel services, online trading)
Frequently purchased items (manufacturing parts, office
supplies)
Technology products (software, computers)
Unique, Rare or Difficult to find items (out-of-print
publications, rare stamps)
A known brand or product. People love to comparison shop.
The
items are accompanied by considerable additional information
to aid decision-making. This is particularly true for more
expensive items, such as electronic and other types of
technology
Here are just some of the popular products that businesses
sell online (and offline)
Computer Consumer Electronics
Video & Accessories
Home & Portable Audio
Home Office & Office Supplies
Telephones & Communications
Computer Hardware & Software
Toys & Video Games
Gifts & Gourmet
Jewelry & Fragrances
Home & Garden
Luggage Sports
Outdoors
Fitness
Small Appliances
Personal Care
Health, Beauty & Wellness
Books, Movies & Music
Drop-shipping is the key to selling products online without an
inventory. |
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You don't have as much gross
profit per product, but you are saving money since you don't
have to warehouse items, maintain staff to package and ship
products or fulfill any other demands. All you have to do is
sell the product.
What does and doesn't sell online
Before you create your Web site, you must have something to
offer your customers. Unfortunately, selling online is not as
simple as merely offering your existing products and services
on your Web site As many dotcom era businesses discovered, not
all products and services are attractive to the online
consumer. Additionally, your products have to be presented in
a way that appeals to the customer, as well as providing a
profit for you, of course.
Products that don't sell well over the Internet are frequently
those requiring some interaction by the buyer before a
purchase is made. Additionally, buyers are reluctant to
purchase online if they think this will inconvenience them in
anyway.
May be more difficult to sell online:
Products that are difficult to ship (furniture)
Services that focus on a local market (hair salons)
Highly regulated items (explosives)
Products requiring a high level of customization (tailored
suits)
Items that benefit from "hands-on" assistance (wedding
dresses)
Need to be touched, smelt, held, handled, tasted, etc in order
to assess their worth
Are not accompanied by sufficient information to reassure the
customer about quality
Are not as convenient to purchase online as they are offline.
Are not accompanied by a convenient way to return the product
if it proves unsatisfactory.
Fabrics are a good example. A fabric purchaser usually goes
through a process of touching, weighing, comparing colors, and
assessing how the fabric hangs before making a final decision.
Make the buying experience convenient
Because today's pace of life is so hectic, people value
anything which makes their lives easier. Most people will
often take the easiest course of action when making a
purchasing decision, even if this means the product ends up
costing them slightly more than they would have paid
elsewhere. Convenience, therefore, is often the key as to why
and where people choose to shop. It is unlikely consumers will
change their existing shopping patterns unless they feel they
will gain considerable benefit from doing so.
Now that you have a better idea of what does or doesn't sell
online, you should consider your own products and services.
Analyze the products or services you want to offer online. See
if there is any way in which you can add value to them so
they’ll be more attractive to your online customers.
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