This year the trend has been to follow the money in the business world. It has not been that hard to follow either since the COVID-19 Pandemic pretty much shut down brick and mortar sales all across the United States. It only shut down small businesses because large companies were somehow immune to the majority of the regulations. This led most small businesses to venture into the eCommerce world. So many companies started selling online that this black Friday sales went sky high and smashed all old records for online sales. Billions and Billions of dollars flowed online and it was a game-changer for our economy. But what happens if you are not really prepared to sell online and make a bunch of small mistakes that end up costing you the company you spent so much time building. That would flat out just be sad. This is why I want to give some small tips on selling online that may keep you from bankruptcy.
The first and best tip to say is that you need to track and calculate everything. Make a system that works for you that can see what you are spending and where. You need to know how much every single type of item you sell costs and every single cost associated with it. From the time you spend putting the product online, to the pictures taken to the tape it takes to put that thing in the mail. The fact is that the calculations all add up and if you don't know about some of them you may be fooling yourself into thinking you are making more than you actually are. Nothing is worse than fooling yourself and finding out you are failing when it is simply too late. So keep a great system and build it as you go. It does not have to be perfect, but it simply has to be there.
The first and best tip to say is that you need to track and calculate everything. Make a system that works for you that can see what you are spending and where. You need to know how much every single type of item you sell costs and every single cost associated with it. From the time you spend putting the product online, to the pictures taken to the tape it takes to put that thing in the mail. The fact is that the calculations all add up and if you don't know about some of them you may be fooling yourself into thinking you are making more than you actually are. Nothing is worse than fooling yourself and finding out you are failing when it is simply too late. So keep a great system and build it as you go. It does not have to be perfect, but it simply has to be there.
Know how long it takes to order a product and to actually get it online. If you are working in a seasonal based business you are not going to be able to sell unless your product is actually available to sell. If you are buying from overseas, and it takes 2 weeks, shipping, then 2 weeks in customs. And you know it also takes 2 weeks to get those products online from your location then you need to be working on a minimum of 6-week schedule ahead. That means you need to be way on top of ordering products and give time to spare for mistakes.
Another area that you need to think about is the cost of those shipping supplies. The fact is that boxes, bags, and tape are not cheap. In fact, if you are using a hundred a day then it may be one of your biggest expenses. That means you need to find the best and most cost-efficient items you can. Don't let shipping supplies destroy your company. Instead, shop around and find a great company online that will help you with not only pricing but advice as well. Many companies offer amazing advice because they sell to all the major eCommerce companies. THey have seen it all and can help find the best supplies to send you items out to your buyers. So be wise and shop around!
Another area that you need to think about is the cost of those shipping supplies. The fact is that boxes, bags, and tape are not cheap. In fact, if you are using a hundred a day then it may be one of your biggest expenses. That means you need to find the best and most cost-efficient items you can. Don't let shipping supplies destroy your company. Instead, shop around and find a great company online that will help you with not only pricing but advice as well. Many companies offer amazing advice because they sell to all the major eCommerce companies. THey have seen it all and can help find the best supplies to send you items out to your buyers. So be wise and shop around!