What were you all doing whilst waiting in your start up phase?

[draz]

Hi all,

I am currently in the process of starting up an online retail store and whilst I wait for the website to be completed I am stumped as to what to do. I've been spending quite some time in terms of preparations etc before the launch and have even gone as far as setting up different case scenario's for what could happen etc and have done extensive reading on top of setting up.

Would anyone have any suggestions as to what else I could possibly do on top of the work i've already done?

[CGM]

If you're doing everything you can, but have to wait for items to come to you, etc then I find the best thing to do is take your mind off the matter, however possible.

For me, I am kind of in the same phase. Website is developed, waiting to receive some product samples in the mail for one business and waiting for Spring/Summer for the other website (Apricots, Plums, Figs, etc grown on our orchard).

So, in the mean time I tweak the websites, research websites that I will advertise on when we officially launch, etc.

But I also find that doing my hobbies are nice so I can stop dwelling on the things I am waiting on.

[Wayne Liew]

Are you doing anything to market the site or at least build the anticipation among the audience or market that you will be targeting with your online retail business?

If possible, don't leave the main page of your domain parked or blank. Insert a placement page with reasons why someone should visit your store in the future and an opt-in box to collect their name and email address so that you can contact them when you launch your site.

Have you talked to various online retail store owners to get tips on how they have built their stores to where it is today, especially during the startup phase.

Try surfing around e-commerce stores in other niches and you might probably come up with new ideas or features that you can push out in a year or two. An e-commerce blog like Get Elastic will also give you tons of ideas on the features on a successful e-commerce site.

[TaraYE]

Great advice, Wayne. I agree - start building up the anticipation. If you haven't already, start a Facebook Fan Page, create a Twitter profile, etc. Start making connections, building relationships, and talking about your new company. Build up to it! Consider doing a countdown to launch, or offer some sort of "launch special" and build anticipation using that.

Also, I recommend making connections with others in your industry. They will be great resources for you as you launch, and beyond.

Good luck!

[DangerousCurves]

great advice here.. and i totally agree.. you don't want to wait for the site to be finished and just sitting there because no one knows about it.. start gathering as much marketing research data that you can find on your industry and try to figure out how you're going to differentiate your online marketplace from all the others that have been out there for years. Find yourself a niche, an angle, a reason someone should by from you, and prepare to promote the hell out of it..

Best wishes.. it's a jungle out there!

[rpermana]

for me, i will start distributing to potential customers stuff like vouchers or free gifts which can be redeemed on the opening day itself.

i can also send emails on the products details with a countdown timer. Take example like a sneak preview or trailer for movies..

main point is to start your marketing..