The digital revolution has transformed the way we shop. Five years ago, we were merely surfing the web. Three years ago, we began to use the internet to buy and sell goods. During the 1998 holiday season, over a million AOL members made at least one online purchase. This was a small indication of the potential of online shopping. In the 1999 holiday season, e-commerce exploded, impacting traditional malls and shops. Today, even retail giants like Kmart and Walmart are investing millions in promoting online shopping, bringing more people than ever into the future of retail. However, only a small percentage of the population is truly capitalizing on this e-commerce revolution.
Many of us are hesitant to dive into the world of e-commerce because we don't know where to start or what to do once we've started. We might think we need expertise in web design, HTML, or even an MBA. However, there are plenty of experts who specialize in building websites and making everything work. All you need is a goal and a plan of action.
To get started, there are some basic things you will need. First, you'll need a professional-looking website with a secure shopping cart and the ability to accept credit cards. This is crucial as most internet shoppers are concerned about security and 80% of them prefer to use their credit card.
Once you have the website, you need something to sell. If you're struggling for ideas, consider the things that you have purchased online or would like to shop for without having to physically go out and look. Household items are among the best sellers on the internet. Furniture, small appliances, electronics, and home accessories are all easy to shop for online.
During the holiday season, toys are huge sellers, as well as traditional gift items: clothing, jewelry, personal accessories, shoes, and even gift certificates.
Contrary to what most of us might expect, the majority of online transactions come from business-to-business sales. Expert services, information, office supplies, airline tickets, and a myriad of other things make up a significant portion of these sales.
If you're looking to cash in on the business-to-business market, there are a few important steps you need to take. Start by providing free personalized advice. Once you have a good number of customers taking advantage of that, step them up to paid consulting. Along the way, you can sell related products and services.
Most people prefer receiving information via email, but will also appreciate it if you're available by telephone as well. Get a toll-free number to show you're serious about being available to all potential customers, and people will feel more secure knowing that you're just a phone call away.
In conclusion, e-commerce is here to stay. It's time for us to get on board and start reaping the benefits of this digital revolution.
