By Elizabeth McGee
For anyone contemplating starting an online business the question of the
day is what to sell online. You not only need to know what to sell on the internet
but you need to know what sells well.
There are many specific answers when it comes to this question but probably the
best answer is people buy products online that they don't need to smell, touch or
examine. They want products that they are fairly familiar with or products that
don't carry an element of surprise upon receiving them. In other words, they have
a pretty good idea of what it is they are getting.
For example, Amazon.com does very well because there's no more mystery to
buying a book online than if they were in the book store purchasing the book.
You can't feel or touch a book online but the internet might even be better
because it offers reviews and ratings that you may not get in a bookstore. Also,
shipping is generally fast and easy.
This concept also holds true for music, videos and CD's.
They all sell very well online.
Travel sells well online. Using the internet is easier than making a trip to the
travel store and again, you know exactly what you are getting. The internet also
makes it easy to comparison shop for the best ticket prices. Offering comparison
shopping is a key factor to a successful business online and the internet has
been a huge success in this area.
People often go to the internet to buy what is familiar. Electronics are hot
categories for consumers but some don't do as well online because buyers like to
feel them, turn them on for clarity and test all the features of the product. Unless
someone has seen a particular item in person, tested it out and knows exactly
the style and model it is that they want, they're not as likely to go shopping online
and buy it over the internet.
Items that are hard to find sell well online. If you offer a unique product that can't
be found in stores people are more likely to purchase online. This is especially
true for the more rural areas of the country where it's harder to find certain
products.
Here people will turn to the internet to find what they need.
For all other products there is virtually very little that does not sell online
nowadays. Of course some things sell better than others. For example, it makes
sense that common products that you can buy at the local store don't sell well
online, but if you can identify unique products and focus those products to their
target markets you may have a winner.
Anyone can experience healthy sales for any product sold online by following
some of the guidelines that make sales a success.
Ease of shopping.
You have to make it easy for the online shopper.
Your site has to be set up so that the shopping experience and checkout aren't
frustrating. If you've ever bought anything over the internet think about what it is
you liked or didn't like about the experience. Certainly don't offer what you didn't
like and make what you did like even better.
Clear information and quality pictures or photos.
Always provide as much information about your products as possible and always
post a clear picture or photo. If the photo isn't of good quality then your viewer
won't consider you a quality site.
Get them as close to touching, feeling and smelling the product as possible.
Fast or free delivery.
Provide shipping information to your viewers somewhere on your site. Don't force
them to place the order to find out how much shipping is. Be upfront about the
costs.
If you offer free shipping, post that as an advantage on your front page. Recent
reports show that free delivery is the third most important factor in attracting
repeat customers. The first two were online security and price.
Always include an 'About' page.
Your about page should have your business name, address and a phone
number. What sometimes tips the scales in your favor is the ability for people to
find out who you are and where your are. They need to feel they are dealing with
someone honest and genuine. They want to know that they can contact you if
necessary.
Provide security shopping.
Use secure servers for ordering and post your security measures plainly.
Offer competitive pricing.
Do your research and offer pricing that will appeal to your buyers. If your price is
higher than your competitors explain why and what features or quality measures
justify your prices.
About the Author:
Elizabeth McGee has spent 20 years in the service and support industry.
She has moved her expertise to the world wide web helping businesses find
trusted tools, enhance customer service, build confidence and increase sales.
You can contact Elizabeth at:mail@pro-marketing-online.com or visit her website
at: http://www.pro-marketing-online.com
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