{image by BlueBerry Ash textiles}
With so many new websites appearing, it is very tempting to open online shop in each and one of them.
More exposure, new customers and better promotions are promised to us. Moreover, a shiny new front, more functions and less fees – it is all oh so inviting!
After I had been invited to sell on 3 new websites that appeared recently, I started wondering… should I spread my efforts on many shops in the hope of more exposure; or should I pick one or two and promote them like crazy?
How many shops is enough and how many is too many? Which one do you promote first? Will your customers get confused when you send them in 6 different places? So many questions!
I admit, I am writing about this not only because I’ve been asking this question of myself (and of Mr. Plushkin and my family) but because I was caught in this “trap” of too many online shops before…
I found that yes, it is confusing for the customers when there are too many shops available to buy from.
It is better to pick one shop (unless you have your own website) as a main one that will get linked to in your newsletter and your blog.
I am sure that each and every one of the online marketplaces that are available are great in their own way, but how do I choose just one or two that are right? It feels like I am missing out on something wonderful by eliminating the other shops.
How do you choose an online shop?
I have 4 basic rules that I apply when considering opening a new one:
1. Easy to use with helpful functions. For me, it`s important for the shop to be easy to use! It’s actually vital as, with over 100 items in the shop, when listing an item takes too long, it just won’t work.
If there are too many boxes to tick with messy layout, I give up fairly quickly. Moreover, I am now looking at how many functions website offers.
Is it easy to apply coupons so you can encourage customers to return? Does it give you an opportunity to list different colours/sizes in one listing? Does a new shop offers something to your customers that the current shop doesn’t?
2. Fees. There are websites that charge for listings plus take a fee. Alternatively, there are website that charge only commission on sale.
I have heard an opinion that websites that charge only commission work better as they are more interested in you actually selling your creation. I am not sure myself as the one commission might be higher then listing fee+sale fee combined.
Get you calculator out and write down how much it will cost you to list and sell the best sellers on different websites.
3. Traffic. Do they have a good google rating? How long have they being around? Check out the shops that sell through the website similar items, how many have they sold?
4. Advertising. Have you seen this website contantly advertising in the magazines/websites/blogs that your target market reads?
The rule of finding a perfect shop for what you make is simple – try.
It will cost a bit in time and fees but if you apply those 4 rules, it will eliminate the ones that are not worthy of the time and effort. Do your research and give it a go. But don’t be afraid to close the shop and walk away thinking that it might take of in a month or two, maybe Christmas…..
Test the shop
Try not to promote it yourself via your media at first.
List items actively, make sure your tags and wording is right so you can be easily found in the search, buy some advertisement on the website without introducing your customers to it and see how it performs.
Look at your stats/analytics and see what’s happening with the traffic and where it comes from. It’s obvious if you will start promoting the new shop via media you use, traffic will come – but does the website that you are paying for gives you more exposure and attract new customers?
Besides, every maker needs to remember – you creations are valuable, you need to believe in that.
You worked hard to create your reputation and customer base and you are bringing it all with you when you open a shop on another website. I hear you saying: “Having a shop open that charges only commissions doesn’t really cost me anything” but having a standing still shop doesn’t really make your brand looks great as well as take into account all that time you have to spend taking listings off that were sold on the other website. Close it, I would say!
I would love to know how many online shops you are running at the moment? Are you happy with the online shops that you currently have?
