Where to start?

**Lucas_92** · 05-03-2011 12:29 PM

I've been doing alot of research lately on online businesses and looking to buy one. I want to start my own E-commerce business but i don't really know where to start :/

I have seen some online pre-made websites for sale that offer an e-commerce package with a drop shipper. I am new to this as i have never run or started a business before so im just looking for some guidance really. Where should i look?
what would be a good e-commerce site to start? (Electronics,Car accessories?)

I'm not looking to make money over-night i know that i will have to put alot of work in to get a reward out of it.

thanks

**Mega B** · 05-03-2011 12:45 PM

Do you have any interests or hobbies as that can usually be a good start as you would have a basic knowledge on what is selling well,an example would be if you had a interest in Sport like cricket you would not go down the route of Flower arranging would you as you would not have a clue.So the 1st thing is work out the niche that you would like to start a business,the next step would be either use a reliable dropshipper or build a site around the Amazon or Ebay network that way you would have no problems of stock rtc and you would then gain comission from selling item from your site.

This is only a suggestion to get you up and running,you could have a free Amazon store or multiple stores each selling differant items up and runing in a few hours and its also free.

If you are not sure i can look for the Amazon link for you.

**Lucas_92** · 05-03-2011 12:51 PM

Well im an outdoor's type and im always surfing but i dont think this will be a viable approach to an e-commerce site. I mainly want to sell things that will generate a good profit. I have a good knowledge base on most consumer items so im open to any. I do like the amazon idea but i would'nt want to hold any stock of my own. Thanks for the tips

**Mega B** · 05-03-2011 01:07 PM

You dont carry any stock with either Amazon or Ebay not sure how you came to that conclusion,well at least you have mentioned that outdoors niche is a possible are to open a store.I would also prefer to have a steady flow of lower profit margin products than just a few high profit margin products but that is just my opinion.Good luck with what ever you choose but either option Dropshipping,Amazon or Ebay you dont carry any stock and neither do you have problem of shipping as that is all done for you.

These turnkey dropshipping sites that you see advertised on Ebay look very good in the sales pitch but in real life they are well rubbish,but of course i stand to be corrected its your money and you have the final say,you asked for some input or some ideas but the bottom line its your choice.

**Lucas_92** · 05-04-2011 01:37 AM

ahhhh ok! for some reason i assumed i had to hold stock haha.

Those turnkey sites were just the ones i was looking to get aswell :/ i thought they looked to good to be true!
Could you possibly give me some links for the amazon and ebay idea?
thanks

**yvetteB** · 05-05-2011 04:31 AM

I understand. All you have to think is that it makes you happy and enjoy what you are doing. You can ask for a legal adviser if he knows something about it, or read the agreement before you pursue with your business.

**AlexSno** · 05-05-2011 06:02 AM

I already work in E-commerce and believe me the crowd is pretty harsh;
There are so many persons in this business these days that is pretty hard to succeed

**Jacoby** · 05-05-2011 08:38 AM

Originally Posted by AlexSno

I already work in E-commerce and believe me the crowd is pretty harsh;
There are so many persons in this business these days that is pretty hard to succeed

True.

If you have a trustworthy website and are in a niche that interests you... you're more likely to succeed.

**Lucas_92** · 05-07-2011 09:22 PM

thanks again for more feedback. I'm really stuck on what to do!?
With low funding its hard i suppose. i would even be willing to do jobs for websites or somthing, like a promoter of some sort.

**Elsoft** · 05-07-2011 10:07 PM

Try to see in terms of whats new you would expect from an ecommerce site that you like the most.And build up on that idea.There is always a place for something new in business.So,try to build on user/visitor experience.Make it a joy to buy from your site.

One of the ideas I have is to open a shop on facebook with the sites MegaB was suggesting and promote it before you can build an actual high shopping experience website.

Some food for thought...

**aapkae** · 05-08-2011 06:37 AM

Well im an outdoor's type and im always surfing but i dont think this will be a viable approach to an e-commerce site. I mainly want to sell things that will generate a good profit. I have a good knowledge base on most consumer items so im open to any. I do like the amazon idea but i would'nt want to hold any stock of my own. Thanks for the tips

**napoleonwill** · 06-12-2011 11:51 AM

Originally Posted by Lucas_92

I've been doing alot of research lately on online businesses and looking to buy one. I want to start my own E-commerce business but i don't really know where to start :/

I have seen some online pre-made websites for sale that offer an e-commerce package with a drop shipper. I am new to this as i have never run or started a business before so im just looking for some guidance really. Where should i look?
what would be a good e-commerce site to start? (Electronics,Car accessories?)

I'm not looking to make money over-night i know that i will have to put alot of work in to get a reward out of it.

thanks

You are on the right track. Look at a yahoo shopping cart or selling on ebay. Setting up the cart is the easy part. The most challenging part will be picking the product you sell. If too many people are selling that product, the market is saturated. This means the prices will be too low and you will make little to no profit.

Now you are on a treasure hunt. You could find products that make $50+ per sales. That's what you are looking for. Common products that you can buy at Wal-Mart or any major department store are not good products.

**Lucas_92** · 06-13-2011 01:11 PM

so is there a way i can sell items on ebay without actually stocking them myself?
I have a few ideas for some Ebay stores i could possibly start.

**napoleonwill** · 06-13-2011 03:44 PM

It's called drop shipping. You would have to call distributors and see if you can set up account. You will have to convince them you are a big account and not just some guy trying to sell stuff. Just talk to them and let them know that you are a big account, words are gold. Then you mark up the product to the highest people are willing to pay. Try to find products that other people aren't really selling yet. The more competition, the less your profit margins will be. If there is even a profit margin to begin with.

You keep trying products until you hit something. But ebay is not the only way, that's for the average consumer. You can set up your own site and do the marketing via google adwords and seo.

**Lucas_92** · 06-15-2011 10:53 AM

Originally Posted by napoleonwill

It's called drop shipping. You would have to call distributors and see if you can set up account. You will have to convince them you are a big account and not just some guy trying to sell stuff. Just talk to them and let them know that you are a big account, words are gold. Then you mark up the product to the highest people are willing to pay. Try to find products that other people aren't really selling yet. The more competition, the less your profit margins will be. If there is even a profit margin to begin with.

You keep trying products until you hit something. But ebay is not the only way, that's for the average consumer. You can set up your own site and do the marketing via google adwords and seo.

Oh okay, im getting more and more knowledge as this thread continues

thanks for all the information, i guess all i need to do now is find the right product!