eBay: a toe in the water online shopping
eBay: the easiest way to trade online
So why not use one of the world’s mega sites to make your first online trades easily and securely?
It’s not for nothing
… that eBay calls itself “The World’s Online Marketplace” At any given time, there will be thousands of items for sale and a huge volume of sales.
eBay, together with Paypal, provides a complete infrastructure for your first foray into Internet commerce. Not only that, but if you finally decide to set up an eBay store of your own, the change will be smooth and seamless in your business pattern.
eBay makes it possible …
have your store up and running in a matter of hours – you could start your project in the morning and go online before night, but a few more hours thinking about your business plan properly and thoroughly would be a timely investment, a reputation takes time build it, but it can be destroyed in a single moment.
But that you may physically you do and what you it should they are two completely different topics
eBay understands that when two parties, you and your customer, do business together without physical contact, trust is of the utmost importance. You place enormous value on ‘reputation’ and that leaves little room for a ‘suck and see’ approach on your part.
Don’t even get started on this patch without some kind of business plan!
Your accountant will tell you …
that business is essentially about money, but you are wrong. Business is about operations and operations are about time. Your customers will expect a quick reaction to placing their order and that requires you to:
- source your order
- pack your order
- send your order
- react to your complaints
And all in double the time.
An online customer doesn’t care if
- your son was sick
- the staff did not show up that day
- Hurricane ‘Andrew’ came in and destroyed roads, electrical and telephone lines.
He or she can accept that in a face-to-face transaction, but not on the Internet. Online trading is 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, right?
EBay Deals …
an “About Me” page. You can tell your clients about the view from your bedroom window, the adventures of your pet poodle, and that might be appropriate for your business, but now, put yourself in the shoes of a potential client.
It’s the person you read about
- the type of person you would lend your money to?
- Reliable enough to be reliable to deliver your products and organized enough to deliver them on time?
- Do you have enough knowledge to answer any questions you may have?
- working hard enough to analyze your problems and ensure a positive outcome for you in all possible circumstances?
If the answer to any of these questions is “no,” then you should consider your readiness and commitment to providing a service before even considering opening a store.