Friday, November 30, 2012

The Search for a Wholesale Distributor – Part II



This the second part of the article.
Some of the tips for finding a wholesale distributor were discussed in the first segment of this article. A few more useful tips are listed below:

·        Search of wholesalers on Google

You can search for the wholesale distributors by conducting Google search using different words like wholesale, distributor, wholesale supplier, etc. Product names, brand names, or model numbers can also be used for the search. Keep a record of the emails and phone numbers of your search results along with the product prices and minimum order requirements which may help you in the selection of potential wholesale distributors for your business.

·        Search for Wholesale Lots on eBay

Some small wholesalers and retailers sell lots of products on eBay; you can buy such small lots at the start of your business. But with the progress in business you have to move elsewhere to buy large volume of products.

·        Look for Business to Business (B2B) Online Global Markets

There are many Business to Business (B2B) online global markets where you can find manufacturers, wholesale distributors, and importers of mainly Chinese products. The main marketplaces include Alibaba.com (China), Buyer Zone (USA), Global Sources (USA), Busy Trade (Hong Kong), EC Plaza (South Korea), EC 21 (South Korea), etc.

·        Become a member of Business Groups, Business Forums and Networks

As other retailers are your competitors, they will not provide wholesale supplier information, so you should join Business Groups, Forums and other Business community Networks to make contacts and relationships. In this way you will share the required information with the Business community.

·        Visit Trade Shows and Exhibitions

At events like Trade Shows and exhibitions you are able to directly contact product manufacturers and wholesale distributors which will help you in gathering accurate and detailed information about their products.

·        Get Subscriptions of Business and Trade Periodicals

Wholesale distributors and suppliers place advertisements in Business and Trade publications in order to reach small retailers like you. If you subscribe such periodicals you will get information about the wholesalers, the range of their products, email addresses, websites, and telephone numbers.

·        Learn from Your Mistakes

When you are starting a new business you may commit some mistakes and may choose a wholesale supplier with high product prices. At an initial level buying the products and selling them at a profit are important. Once you are settled in business you can look for other wholesale distributors who offer a better deal.

Thursday, November 29, 2012

The Search for a Wholesale Distributor- Part I


When you are starting a new business, it is important to know the range of products which you are going to sell. This knowledge proves useful when you look for a wholesale supplier to buy the products for your business. Listed below are a few useful tips which will help you in finding a wholesale product supplier: ·        

Know about the Distribution Sources 

For a retail business owner you should be aware of the various sources of distribution from where the products are supplied. This knowledge will help you immensely in determining and finding the right product supplier who is suitable for your needs. The different types of wholesalers are: 

Ø  Manufacturers: Some products can be purchased directly from the manufacturers. 
Ø  Sole Distributors / Importers: They exclusively import and distribute some products which are sold either to retailers or local wholesalers. 
Ø  Regional Distributors / Wholesalers: They buy larger lots of products and sell in smaller quantities to local wholesalers.
Ø  Day Jobbers / Wagon peddlers: They deliver small quantities of products to retailers on a daily basis.

You should start your business by selecting a supply source which fulfills your requirements and is suitable for you. You may buy from small wholesalers initially at steeper prices but when your business takes off and large volume of products are needed, you may get better prices by moving to bigger wholesalers. ·      


Start with the Manufacturers

Try to buy directly from the manufacturers especially if you are selling branded products. If you succeed in buying directly from the manufacturers, the low prices will be a benefit. In case the minimum order required is too big for you or they sell only through established wholesalers, ask for the list of those wholesale distributors so that you can contact them. ·     

Contact and Select Wholesale Distributors 

Contact each wholesale distributor from the list provided by the manufacturer, and ask for the wholesale prices of the products and the minimum order required. The contact should be made through emails which should be small, precise, to the point, and friendly. Introduce yourself and your business, ask for product prices and the minimum orders required, and in the end thank them in a friendly manner. 

The article will be continued in “The Search for a Wholesale Distributor – Part II”.

Wednesday, November 28, 2012

Digital Etiquette at Workplace

The current era has noticed the advent of digital technology which has progressed with leaps and bounds. It is being used in almost every field and mankind has benefited in innumerable ways. The use of digital technology as a means of communication has enabled the businesses to contact their customers instantaneously even if they are thousands of miles away. But it has been seen that some people are misusing the applications related with digital technology. A proper workplace digital etiquette is a must and you should try to implement it in your business or organization at all costs.
Some basic suggestions for maintaining an appropriate digital etiquette at the workplace are as follows:

Emails and Instant Messages


Emails are used in many business workplaces as the basic source of communication, they are also used for digital documentation, office memos, and even as evidence in legal trials. While composing or replying an email, you should write in business-letter style and language; and never include personal or irrelevant matter in the email body. Similarly when sending an instant message, follow proper etiquette and use respectful language.


Cellular and Smartphones


In recent times the use of cellular phones and smartphones has become quite popular and many business entities are using them. Despite their popularity and ease of use, they are not helpful when you need to compose company documents and other such letters. A small keyboard in the phones is another limitation. You should use your mobile phone set for business calls only and personal use must be minimal.


 Social Media Websites

Social networking websites like Facebook, Pinterest, or Twitter provide a cheap and effective advertising platform for the businesses to reach out to a large number of potential customers. During interaction with the customers you should be forthright, honest, and should greet as well as use good-bye before ending the communication. Another important point is to avoid sharing your business matters with others on the social media.


Use of Computers and Laptops


Computers or laptops at the workplace should mostly be used for business-related matters. Do not store personal photos or documents in an office computer as it may be shared by other employees or can sometimes be sent for maintenance. Avoid installing games or entertainment videos as they occupy large hard disk space and slow down the computer. 

Monday, November 26, 2012

Telephone Etiquette for Business

In this era of scientific and technological advancement the use of email and other computer related modes of communications have greatly increased, but telephone continues to be the most commonly used application for communication. Many clients, business owners, organizations, etc. still prefer to use telephone as a means of communication.
 Some important etiquette tips for using telephone as a source of communication for business are listed below:

Distinct style of business call 

When answering telephone calls, you should follow a pleasant style of communication. If you receive a call answer by greeting the caller first, introduce yourself and your business, then politely offer any help or information the caller demands, and end the conversation by thanking for the interest and the call.

 Portray a pleasant tone 

The tone of the voice is the indicator of your mood, therefore when you receive a phone call try to maintain a pleasant tone of voice which will give the caller an impression that you appreciate his call and are available to provide whatever assistance he needs. 

Focused listening to received calls 

One important aspect of appropriate telephone etiquette is to actively listen to the caller. When some client calls, stop working and answer the call with focused attention, take notes if necessary, and try to satisfy and address all the queries of the caller.

Holding a call 

Sometimes while attending a call you have to put the caller on hold. On such occasions politely tell the caller to hold while you are looking for the information he needs. If he has to hold for a long period, periodically check back with the caller and explain the reason of delay. It will assure the caller that you are trying to work out the information he needs and are not doing anything else. When you return back thank the caller for waiting and for holding patiently. 

Making outgoing telephone calls 

The importance of outgoing business calls cannot be ignored and they are equally important as the incoming calls. When you place an outgoing call try to be positive, pleasant, and professional. First of all introduce yourself and your business entity, and then explain the reason of calling. Keep your conversation brief and to the point. Thank again at the end of the conversation.

Sunday, November 25, 2012

Proper Communication Skills and Business Etiquette


Communication and etiquette are the soft skills which are very important for the business to be a success. It is a well known fact that proper etiquette paves the way for a smooth and successful business deal and establishes a sense of trust in your business contacts; while a skillful communication is necessary for running a business enterprise effectively. A combination of both these attributes does wonders for the success of any business.

Creating an Impression on the Business ContactsWhen you come in contact with businessmen and clients, communication skills and etiquette are the criteria of projecting a good first impression. You are judged by the manner of your personal grooming, your attire, the body language, the way speak, etc. All these features in combination create your professional impression. A good impression helps in making a sale or in closing a business deal.

Communication and Business Etiquette at Work
The importance of business etiquette and communication skills at work is paramount and will help you immensely at every stage of your career. If you are starting your career as a lower level employee, application of good communication skills will help in rapid promotions in the business set up. On the other hand if you hold a senior position in a business organization, your ability to communicate in a free and open manner with your subordinates and co-workers will create an atmosphere of shared efficiency. Your colleagues and workers will feel comfortable and their working capabilities will be enhanced when you interact with them and listen to their problems.

Proper Communication Skills and Business Etiquette for Overseas Business Trips
When you plan to make an overseas business trip, it is advisable to learn about the etiquette and the way of communication being practiced in that country. Prior knowledge of how to dress, how to greet, and what subjects to discuss at business meetings, will prove to be a great advantage.

Training Courses for Business Etiquette and Communication The importance of business etiquette and communication skills has been realized and they have become a part of many Business Administration Training Courses.


Friday, November 23, 2012

Common Mistakes at Yard Sales


Items not Clearly Priced

If the prices of items are not clearly marked or absent altogether, it will cause confusion for the customers and they may return without buying.

Allowing Bargains for the Early Shoppers only

When you let the early shoppers to get the benefit of the bargains, those missing out will be annoyed and you may lose your customers for good.

Payment Methods

As cash is the most preferred option by the sellers, they should be able to guide the customers for the nearest ATM machine and assure the customer that the item he wanted to buy will be kept on hold for an hour or until he returns with the cash.

Old or Used Items Sold as New

The sellers should not try to sell old and used items by terming them as new items. You will lose your customers as they are looking to buy cheap items. Sell the old and used items separately with low price tags.

Improper Yard Sale Preparation

While preparing for the yard sale, make sure to include only those items which are meant for sale. If an item which you do not want to sell and it is in the yard sale, then it will not make good impression when somebody tries to buy it.

Failure to Remove Signs after the Sale is over

The signs posted for the yard sale should be removed after the sale is finished. Old, faded signs present an ugly look and may confuse some persons who are interested in yard sales.

Timings of the Yard ale

Although it is better to follow the timings which you have fixed for the yard sale, but if there are still some buyers looking for items near the closing time, it is advisable to wait till they complete their purchases. Spending a little extra time will create a good impression and may be handy for your future yard sales.

Maintain a good behavior

Regardless of the fact that they bought some item or not, thank every visitor to your yard sale before he or she leaves. Your good manners may make them visit again later in the day to buy something or they may refer some friend or a family member to your yard sale.



Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Should You Consider Starting A Drop-Shipping Business?

If you are looking for an answer to the above mentioned question, the first step is to consider the advantages of starting a drop-shipping business:

No Need of Inventory
The biggest benefit of starting a drop-shopping business is the fact that you don’t need to have any inventory because the business requires you to purchase drop shipped products when the items sell. This is a profitable business for people who are entering the market with a strict budget.
It’s Less Risky
For people doing business in drop shipped products through online platforms like eBay, etc, another advantage is the fact that this business is less risky. Since you are only paying for the fee of your product listing and customers have to make the payments for shipping, the risk involved in the business is really low.
Variety in Products
This type of business gives you the freedom to do business in various items. You aren’t confined to a single product category because the cash flow is limited. This can be very helpful in having the customers intrigued while returning to invest in a wider category of products. Eventually, having the freedom of selling various products can greatly contribute in generating additional revenue.
Going Online Saves Time and Energy
This business is a great option for people interested in online business opportunities. With access to internet and a simple business license, you can get started right away.
Once you’ve considered the advantages of using an online business model, it is important to also analyze the challenges associated with this type of business. And that being said, you have to understand that  the biggest hindrance in the success of your business is supplier issues.  As you don’t own the product, you are relying on the drop ship supplier for packaging and sending items accordingly. And in case, the supplier isn’t reliable, you’ll be at great loss. So, make sure you find a reliable supplier to save the worry of business failure.


Tuesday, November 20, 2012

Email as a Marketing Medium

Email can be used as a powerful medium for targeting the potential clientele effectively. It provides you with a tool which can be used for marketing campaign. The content of the email should be designed in such a way to attract people otherwise it may be considered as a spam email which may not be beneficial for your email marketing campaign.
Some important considerations for your email marketing are given below:

Subject of the email

The subject lines of your email to the client are of utmost importance, they must get through the spam filters, be interesting and designed in a way that the recipient is compelled to open and read. Limit your email subject lines to a maximum of 40 characters and include the main features and benefits of your products. The content of the email must give a true representation of your product’s features and irrelevant matter must not be included in it. Try to avoid using common marketing words like free, opportunity, sale price, etc. Design multiple subject lines and use them to find the most effective subject line, and then use it for your future marketing strategies.

Use Feedback Loops

Feedback loops service is provided by the email providers to inform that your email address is being considered as spam mail by the recipients. To benefit from this service you have to register your email address with the email provider, which will provide you reports about recipients considering you as a spammer. Remove such recipients from your email addresses list.

Create Email Lists which are Permission-based

While creating web-based marketing programs for your business, include a click box in the sign up area to ask for permission to send emails about your offers and promotions. The email list thus created will be permission-based and will be read by the recipients, leading to more chances of business.

Email Content or Body

The content of the email should be easily readable, concise, to the point, and must highlight the main features of your products and services. Do not include lot of pictures or unnecessary details, which may cause the reader to lose interest or the main idea of your marketing strategy, may get fazed.

Monday, November 19, 2012

How Marketing Strategies differ from Sales Strategies

For a successful business operation marketing as well as sales strategies are important and require proper utilization. Marketing strategies are needed to increase your clientele by advertising and providing information about the business and the products and services being offered; while sales strategies help in closing the deals and thus provide revenue to keep the business profitable.
Many small businesses have a single person for both marketing and sales strategies but it is advisable that professional persons should plan and implement the specific strategies. This can only be achieved if you have enough finances available.
A few basic differences between marketing and sales strategies are given below:

·        The marketing strategies are concerned with providing information to your potential clients about the business in general, the list of products and services offered by your business, and the extra benefits the customer will get as compared to your competitors. Sales strategies are used for gaining customer orders which result in revenue generation.
In other words marketing strategies generate sales opportunities while the sales strategies convert these opportunities into actual sales and revenue generation.
·        Marketing strategies have focus on communicating with your possible customers and they provide information about products, services, and competitive edge over similar business owners. The methods utilized for communication are the use of brand name, advertisement, media releases, public relations, etc.
On the other hand sales strategies utilize their communication skills mainly to obtain agreement of the customers to purchase products and services to generate revenue. The communication mostly is individual to individual in person or by phone.
·        The strategies concerned with marketing and sales are different and the personality types of the persons dealing with them are also different.
The people working on marketing strategies prefer to handle matters related to effective communication, problem solving, and reaching out to clients in the local demographical area. The sales team is more adept at working on the individual client to close the deal.
·        The examples of the actual work concerned with strategic marketing are advertisement, creation of a website and its content, issuing press releases, networking, social get-togethers for product promotion, designing marketing materials, exhibitions and trade shows, and all public relation matters.
The sales strategies include work like making calls for sales, conducting sales meetings, making estimates about sales, hosting customers for sales oriented lunches and dinners, outlining the benefits of the products and services for the customers, etc.

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Business Plan Preparation for Flea Market


A well thought out business plan is essential for all successful businesses. In order to succeed in a flea market business the plan should undergo constant evolution, this factor holds true whether you are just starting a new business or have been in operation for some time. Small Business experts agree on the importance of a continuously progressive business plan for success.
Some useful guidelines are given below for the preparation of a successful flea market business plan:

·                  Carry out Market Research about Flea Markets
Your research should begin with the interviews and discussions with other flea market business owners and shoppers in the area where you intend to conduct your business. Collect all the demographical information of the potential customers of the area like, age, gender, race or ethnicity, education, occupation, income, marital status, number of persons in household, etc. Obtain help for these interviews from family, friends or co-workers. Include brief summary of this gathered information in your business plan.

·                  Describe your Business
While preparing the business plan describe your business briefly with allocation of sections with titles, and include your ideas about promotion of your business differently from other competitors in the area. Your ideas should conform to the local demographical information which you have already collected and also write about the tactics and strategies to attract, satisfy, and retain your customers. Make separate sections for your plans about advertising and other promotional marketing measures. A section for obtaining all state or local licenses, leases, and other legal documents should be included.

·                  Write about your Management Expertise
The flea market business plan should also include your qualifications, special skills, experience in the fields of sales, management, customer service, and all notable achievements during your career. If you have partners, co-workers, or other members of management team, then write similar descriptions about their respective qualifications and credentials. Also mention the remunerations, percentages in the ownership of the business, or salaries of each member of your management team.

·                  Financial Details
Once you have researched the proposed area of your business, make estimates of expenditures, projected income, and approximate quarterly and annual earnings. It is better if you obtain the services of a chartered accountant who specializes in small business account management, to look after all the financial details of your business. 

·                  The Executive Summary
This is the final and most important part of your business plan. It should consist of the present status of the business, plans for future, and the measures to make the business successful. Also write the proposed business title, the site and location, and the products or services which will be offered to the customers.





Friday, November 16, 2012

Advantages of Technology use in Business


In this age the technology has advanced by leaps and bounds; it has affected our lives, lifestyles, and the whole concept of living. The technological advance has benefited mankind in every field generally, but here we will limit our discussion to the use of technological tools for the benefit of business.

When technology is used in business, the major benefit is increase in the production with resultant cost effectiveness and better revenue generation. Other benefits include operational ease, time saving, automation, etc.

Quick Decision Making and Time Saving

In the past when the only way of communication was the postal service, business owners had to wait for weeks or months depending upon the distance, before getting a response from their vendors, other business owners, or clients. The situation used to delay the process of decision making with subsequent slow business and less productivity. With the available technological means for swifter communication today, a business owner is able to communicate and make a decision on the spot. A lot of time is saved and the operational productivity is increased but the production costs decrease with better profits.

Less Paperwork

The use of technology has greatly reduced the amount of human effort and paperwork. Gone are the days when large registers, ledgers, account books, and files were maintained needing large storage areas and safety measures against theft, fire, or other disasters. Now all the contracts, files, records of sales and lists of customers can be stored easily and can also be accessed within a matter of seconds. A lot of cost and effort is saved, and there is no need of storage spaces to keep files and folders.

Easier Access to Information

The tools of technology have benefitted the businesses in numerous ways. The business or company can easily market their products or services for the prospective customers by using the web or various social media networking websites. Similarly online training programs are available for the business owners as well as their employees through online lectures and how to do videos. Technology also makes it possible to gather responses and reviews of the clients, and suggestions or comments from fellow businessmen.

Use of softwares

With the increasing use of softwares, the business owners are able to cut down the labor costs by using software applications for bookkeeping, sales, and other functions.


Thursday, November 15, 2012

Online Collection of Sales Tax


A normal business which is located in a physical store has to collect sales tax as a usual practice. This tax is collected from the customers according to the rates specified by the local city, state, or at federal level. There are certain jurisdictions where both local as well as state sales tax are charged from the customers purchasing the products.
If you are running the business online then what will be the rate of sales tax; does it differ from that charged on customers buying from a physical store; and do both local and state sales taxes are applicable. The answers to all these questions will be described in the following paragraphs.

Online sales tax collection

It has been mentioned earlier that when you run a business from a physical store, warehouse, or an office, you have to charge your customers for all the local and state sales taxes specified in that particular jurisdiction. But in case you do not have a physical store or office, no sales tax is applicable.
 This physical presence in a certain area is known as a “nexus” in legal terminology. The definition of a nexus varies in different states but every state considers the existence of a nexus when the business is selling its products from a physical premises. If you are not clear whether your business is a physical presence or not, the revenue agency of the particular state can provide help in this regard.
When you do not have a physical presence in the state, you are not supposed to collect any sales tax from your customers. According to a 1992 ruling of the Supreme Court, if mail-order businesses or online business owners do not have a physical presence in the state, they do not have to charge their customers for sales tax.
For online businesses various online shopping-cart services are available for making sales transactions which include sales tax.

Sales Tax Exemptions

As an online business owner you should know that there are some states where no sales tax is applicable. They are Alaska, Hawaii, Oregon, New Hampshire, Delaware, and Montana. Similarly some states have tax exemptions on food, clothing, or other items.

Monday, November 12, 2012

Technological aids of an Online Business – Part II

This is the second segment of the article.
Listed below are a few more important technological tools and facilities which are an integral part of today’s online business and eCommerce.

Web-based Invoicing facility
For an online business you do not require elaborate accounting applications; instead you can utilize a web-based invoicing facility keeping your needs in mind. Such an arrangement will enable you to manage the accounts quickly and efficiently.

Remote Desktop Access

The use of technology has made it possible for the small business owners to remain in touch with their businesses while they are out of the office. There are various applications which enable you to remotely access the data on the office computer through your smartphone. You can not only look at the information but can also make any change or modification.

Screencast applications

Screen cast applications digitally record the computer screen; they help in creating a movie of the activity on the computer screen along with audio narration. Screencast applications are used to create specific tutorials, lessons, product demos, etc.
A large number of different Screencast applications are available and you can choose one which is suitable for your business requirements.

File Format Converters

During the course of conducting online business deals you may encounter some files or documents with graphics and audio/video components, which do not open. Such files need to be converted to another format by using file format converters. Many online services and soft wares are available which can convert any type of file to a desired file format.
Tools for capturing Screenshots
There are occasions when you need to take pictures of something on the computer screen in order to use them in your emails to customers, or to include in product manuals. Screenshots are basically digital images taken by the computer to capture the image being displayed on the visual output device such as a monitor or television. This image is captured by using installed software in the computer or an attached camera.
Some of the screenshot tools work with Screencast applications for the creation of product demos.

Help Desk Softwares
Help desk softwares can be utilized for the customer service and greatly help in your ability to respond to customer’s queries and needs.
Online Scheduling and Appointment Booking Softwares
Softwares of this category make your task easy by making schedules of appointments with clients, vendors, friends, etc. All the schedules are at one place and need just a glance to timely manage all your appointments.

Sunday, November 11, 2012

Technological Aids of an Online Business - Part I

Listed below are some important technological tools and facilities which are an integral part of today’s online business and eCommerce.

Training for an Online Business

If you are establishing a web-based small business, it is necessary for you to have proper knowledge of the business as well as the various technological aspects associated with an online store. This knowledge can only be gained through training programs and education, which may require time and monetary expenses. For a business owner with limited resources this may seem a tall order.
The solution is looking for some free business training programs which are free and are offered online. By utilizing such programs you can enhance your knowledge at your own pace and in the comfort of your home or office. These programs are an excellent source of information and cover almost all necessary aspects of an online business.  

Free software

There are many free softwares which are available online and are suitable alternatives of commercial programs required for the promotion and management of online businesses. These free softwares do not cost a penny and are capable of fulfilling the small business owner’s requirements. A well known example of such programs is OpenOffice.org, which can easily replace all the components of Microsoft Office such as Microsoft Word, Microsoft Excel, Microsoft PowerPoint, etc.

Alternatives for Land-line Telephones

Modern technology has enabled small business owners to expand the limits of their enterprises beyond the office or store premises. Now the business has become mobile and can be taken anywhere by replacing old land-line telephones with the latest alternatives such as cellular phones, Voice over Internet Protocol (Voip), etc.

Teleconference and Web conference Facilities

A very important aspect of any business is the ability to connect and interact with multiple clients, co-workers, or employees, present at different places, simultaneously. Various teleconference services are available, some of them free, which provide an important tool for the small business owners to contact multiple parties anywhere and anytime they please.
Similarly some web-conferencing features are also available which makes it possible to contact multiple persons anywhere on the globe with the touch of a button.

Tools that Track Time

Various desktop applications, web-based tools, and online services are available which can track time. Small business owners utilize them for billing their clients on an hourly basis.
This is first part of this article; some more technological aids will be described in the second segment.

Saturday, November 10, 2012

Helpful Tips for the Success of an Online Store


The business of an online store is just like any other business and its success depends upon meticulous planning, a strict discipline, a determined will, untiring and sustained effort.

A few useful tips are listed below which may prove helpful before creating a website in the initial phase of the business; or even if you have a previously established business.

The company or business name is very important and ideally it should be included in your web address, but if it is not possible you can use a name variation like abc clothes instead of abc garments.

In order to process transactions securely, you need to create a merchant account; this account should be able to accept commonly used credit cards, bank drafts, Paypal, Interac, and other payment modes.

Purchase or create an eCommerce web-based Hosting package for your online store which has the provision of all modern marketing tools like processing secure transactions, shopping carts, etc.

Design a customer-friendly eCommerce website of the online store for the convenience of your customers. In this context you can utilize the services of a web designer who is experienced and professional.

 Make full use of the eCommerce features of your online store like specific emailbox for each product, mailing lists meant for certain customer groups, etc. Such targeted campaigns will give a boost to web-marketing tactics and will improve your business.

Track the web-marketing endeavors by creating specific codes for different promotions in your campaign, to gauge their respective effectiveness and success.

On your eCommerce website use such keywords which put your online store in the search engine results. When the online store is included in the results of prominent search engines, more people will know about your products and business profile.

 When the fully functional website is created, start promoting your business by campaigns of email marketing.

Periodically monitor your online store website and incorporate new features like blogs, response forms, surveys, promotional contests, etc.

Analyse the web traffic of your online store to determine the effectiveness of web pages and redesign those pages which register lesser visits. Promote the changes through the website as well as web-marketing.

If you consider the above mentioned tips before opening an online store and also make changes or introduce newer features periodically, the chances of establishing a successful and thriving business will be greatly increased.