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Party shop (Moderated by Deepika, EleanorSews)
Posted on: 6/17/15 3:14 AM ET
Hi everyone,
I have been making plans to open an online webshop for some time now. I wondered if anyone here has taken the plunge and wouldn't mind sharing their experiences during the opening phase, e.g.:
Would love any feedback or words of encouragement :)
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I have been making plans to open an online webshop for some time now. I wondered if anyone here has taken the plunge and wouldn't mind sharing their experiences during the opening phase, e.g.:
- Anything I need to avoid?
- Did you pay for online site, or use open source?
- What's biggest thing you'd have done differently?
- How much money did you have saved up to live on while getting shop underway?
Would love any feedback or words of encouragement :)
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https://www.allesparty.at
Posted on: 6/17/15 8:37 AM ET
There's a forum here for businesses. I think you have to request admittance but I bet you'd get lots of help.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Posted on: 6/17/15 10:41 AM ET
In reply to arianamaniacs
My ex-husband used to have an online component to his bricks and mortar shop. Then he went into the business of hosting websites.
To sell online you will need shopping cart software that will link your inventory to your website. There are a variety available and you get what you pay for. Some link to a payment processor which can make life easier.
You will need merchant accounts with credit card processors that allow for online transactions. Not all credit card processors allow online sales.
Or you will need to use a service like Paypal to collect funds for you.
You will need to cost out shipping and packaging. Then determine if you will offer flat rate shipping (based on total sale), or work it out after you pack the order.
You will need inventory space, shipping space and the means to get the packages to the shipper.
Staff? Are you going to do this all on your own? What if you want to go on holidays?
If you are going to do this out of your own home, what are the local bylaws/rules around home based businesses?
Inventory is expensive and for something like party supplies, themes and colours change seasonally and get old fast.
Look at who your competition online is how will you compete with them? Be aware that some of the party supply companies in the USA are ruthless and aggressive. I speak from personal experience with my ex-husbands former webhosting company. They did not care that US laws do not apply in Canada we regularly had demands that we take down other party supply websites that we hosted.
Search Engine Optimization - know what it is, how much it costs and when to expect results.
In general in my area of Canada, it takes 2 years to begin to earn enough to take money out of the business.
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To sell online you will need shopping cart software that will link your inventory to your website. There are a variety available and you get what you pay for. Some link to a payment processor which can make life easier.
You will need merchant accounts with credit card processors that allow for online transactions. Not all credit card processors allow online sales.
Or you will need to use a service like Paypal to collect funds for you.
You will need to cost out shipping and packaging. Then determine if you will offer flat rate shipping (based on total sale), or work it out after you pack the order.
You will need inventory space, shipping space and the means to get the packages to the shipper.
Staff? Are you going to do this all on your own? What if you want to go on holidays?
If you are going to do this out of your own home, what are the local bylaws/rules around home based businesses?
Inventory is expensive and for something like party supplies, themes and colours change seasonally and get old fast.
Look at who your competition online is how will you compete with them? Be aware that some of the party supply companies in the USA are ruthless and aggressive. I speak from personal experience with my ex-husbands former webhosting company. They did not care that US laws do not apply in Canada we regularly had demands that we take down other party supply websites that we hosted.
Search Engine Optimization - know what it is, how much it costs and when to expect results.
In general in my area of Canada, it takes 2 years to begin to earn enough to take money out of the business.
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Living life to the fullest.
Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
Who knew being a Granny was the best thing ever?
Posted on: 6/18/15 2:48 AM ET
In reply to Michelle T
Quote:
To sell online you will need shopping cart software that will link your inventory to your website. There are a variety available and you get what you pay for. Some link to a payment processor which can make life easier.
To sell online you will need shopping cart software that will link your inventory to your website. There are a variety available and you get what you pay for. Some link to a payment processor which can make life easier.
Makes sense. I'm looking into sponsored websites, especially at the beginning so I can concentrate on my inventory instead of how to run a website.
Quote:
You will need merchant accounts with credit card processors that allow for online transactions. Not all credit card processors allow online sales.
You will need merchant accounts with credit card processors that allow for online transactions. Not all credit card processors allow online sales.
Good tip, I will make note of that.
Quote:
You will need to cost out shipping and packaging. Then determine if you will offer flat rate shipping (based on total sale), or work it out after you pack the order.
You will need to cost out shipping and packaging. Then determine if you will offer flat rate shipping (based on total sale), or work it out after you pack the order.
Have that, there are thankfully already flat pricing models at package delivery services that take any size package up to a certain weight, which is quite high.
Quote:
You will need inventory space, shipping space and the means to get the packages to the shipper.
You will need inventory space, shipping space and the means to get the packages to the shipper.
Luckily have a huge farmhouse with vacant rooms.
Quote:
Staff? Are you going to do this all on your own? What if you want to go on holidays?
Staff? Are you going to do this all on your own? What if you want to go on holidays?
For the first year alone with help of BF with accounting. Afterwards I have considering hiring some close acquaintances who work part-time to take over delivering packages while I'm away.
Quote:
If you are going to do this out of your own home, what are the local bylaws/rules around home based businesses?
If you are going to do this out of your own home, what are the local bylaws/rules around home based businesses?
Good point - nothing that I've heard mentioned so far in the info meetings I've been to at the local Chamber of Commerce. The only thing they discussed was which items could be taken off taxes (room space, computer, internet, etc.)
Quote:
Inventory is expensive and for something like party supplies, themes and colours change seasonally and get old fast.
Inventory is expensive and for something like party supplies, themes and colours change seasonally and get old fast.
That's what I'm worried most about the first year. I'm self-funded but don't have unlimited resources.
Quote:
Look at who your competition online is how will you compete with them? Be aware that some of the party supply companies in the USA are ruthless and aggressive. I speak from personal experience with my ex-husbands former webhosting company. They did not care that US laws do not apply in Canada we regularly had demands that we take down other party supply websites that we hosted.
Look at who your competition online is how will you compete with them? Be aware that some of the party supply companies in the USA are ruthless and aggressive. I speak from personal experience with my ex-husbands former webhosting company. They did not care that US laws do not apply in Canada we regularly had demands that we take down other party supply websites that we hosted.
That's very interesting info - on what basis would the big party stores demand you take down your hosted websites?
Quote:
Search Engine Optimization - know what it is, how much it costs and when to expect results.
Search Engine Optimization - know what it is, how much it costs and when to expect results.
Google hosted a whole day seminar on google ads, was quite interesting. I had no idea how that worked before that.
Quote:
In general in my area of Canada, it takes 2 years to begin to earn enough to take money out of the business
In general in my area of Canada, it takes 2 years to begin to earn enough to take money out of the business
Good to know! Right now I've budgeted one year's base expenses
Thank you so much for your input!
-- Edited on 6/18/15 at 2:50 AM --
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https://www.allesparty.at
Posted on: 6/18/15 5:00 AM ET
In reply to frame
Quote:
There's a forum here for businesses. I think you have to request admittance but I bet you'd get lots of help. Good luck.
There's a forum here for businesses. I think you have to request admittance but I bet you'd get lots of help. Good luck.
Unfortunately, it's only for sewing-related businesses (at least according to the title of the forum)
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https://www.allesparty.at
Posted on: 6/18/15 10:05 AM ET
In reply to arianamaniacs
What??!! You are opening a non-sewing related business? How is THAT possible?
just kidding 
Sorry, I didn't realize.
just kidding 
Sorry, I didn't realize.
Posted on: 6/18/15 12:34 PM ET
You need a really good website with high-quality, professional photographs to showcase your merchandise. Don't have your husband or a friend design it for free using open source sites unless they are professionals and know advanced coding and are willing to support your website indefinitely with technical support. Look at some websites you really like and study their layout, features and photos. I like Shoes.com and Lauren James (look at the way the photos change from front to back view), and there are many others.
An acquaintance sells her merchandise online, but the person who put it together for her is not a really good web designer and really unreliable when it comes to technical support so she is stuck with an amateurish-looking site and a temperamental order processing system.
You might want to check with your local small business administration or equivalent for business resources. Where I live, the city operates professional website services that local entrepreneurs may use at low cost for their businesses.
Good luck.
Claudia
An acquaintance sells her merchandise online, but the person who put it together for her is not a really good web designer and really unreliable when it comes to technical support so she is stuck with an amateurish-looking site and a temperamental order processing system.
You might want to check with your local small business administration or equivalent for business resources. Where I live, the city operates professional website services that local entrepreneurs may use at low cost for their businesses.
Good luck.
Claudia
Posted on: 6/18/15 7:15 PM ET
I have an online store which my husband set up for me. He is in IT, so I don't have to pay someone for support. That being said, I take care of the product listings and orders.
I rarely take a photo of anything except my quilt samples. I get my photos from my wholesaler's websites or fabric manufacturers. My iPhone takes a good photo when I need one.
PayPal is my credit card processor. I pay per transaction only without additional monthly fee. I can print my shipping label directly from their website.
My advice is to take your time and do what you can afford. It took awhile before I started getting orders.
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I rarely take a photo of anything except my quilt samples. I get my photos from my wholesaler's websites or fabric manufacturers. My iPhone takes a good photo when I need one.
PayPal is my credit card processor. I pay per transaction only without additional monthly fee. I can print my shipping label directly from their website.
My advice is to take your time and do what you can afford. It took awhile before I started getting orders.
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Charlene
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