Trying to start an online store-any tips?

**Promgum** · 03-18-2009 11:56 AM

Hi, I am new here, but I have been lurking around for sometime. I have the idea to start an online store. Yes, I know that the market is pretty much saturated at this point. Everyone from Amazon to Ebay seems to be selling things here or there. I, being a recent college graduate realize the potential in it though. I want to sell the things that are really close to me like comic books and videogames.
I know that everyone and their brother do these things, especially electronics, but I have an intimate knowledge about them and a drive to sell them. I know my products. I know what I would like to pay, and I know what I would like to do with them. I have already written price mark-downs(and ups) for every product I would like to sell. I have looked into dropshipping and I have looked into stocking the products on my own.
I just would like some advice on how to increase web traffic in an already saturated market. Like, do I give special discounts? Do I use social networking sites to get the word around? How would I use something like Twitter? These are things I would like to know.

(I have never used Twitter, but I have Myspace, Facebook, and Tumblr).

Thank you for your time

**Mega B** · 03-18-2009 12:58 PM

I would say just get a script like associate-o-matic that is setup to run products from amazon and open a electronics store once it is setup all you have to do is promote it as it runs on autopilot.If you are not sure i will help you some more.

**mthomas** · 03-18-2009 04:14 PM

If you are trying to get a presence in an industry that seems saturated with a lot of big competitors, try to target a narrower niche (at least start out this way). This can help you hone and craft your sales messages to a specific set of targeted customers, which will make your message that much more effective.

Once you seem to have gotten pretty good at communicating with and converting a certain niche, move on to a second, then a third, etc...

Good luck!

**terra_cotta** · 03-18-2009 04:22 PM

My one tip? First impressions are everything. Do not clutter your site with lots of ads for your products or too many images, or else your customers will be too overwhelmed and may perceive your site as unprofessional and someplace they don't want to spend their money. Follow the KISS principle of design. Good luck!

**itzpaul** · 03-18-2009 08:56 PM

I'd use an open source shopping cart and start a website. Buy your domain and find hosting and install oscommerce.

You can then learn how to edit it to your liking. It's also a tough job to market your website.

**Promgum** · 03-19-2009 10:26 AM

Thanks alot everyone. I had originally went with a dropshipper...but it turns out that whoever was supplying them had raked the shipping and handling fees so far up, it did NOT matter how low I marked the prices down. I am thinking about opening up my own warehouse and shipping myself. Its ridiculous how much those "hidden" fees can get up to. I closed it down because I didn't think it was fair to the customer.

I am not too familiar with Associate-O-matic or Oscommerce. Are they free? How do they work? I suppose research is in order! Once again, thanks for everything!

**Mega B** · 03-19-2009 10:59 AM

Associate-O-matic uses the power from Amazon and is alot more reliable than sites hooked up to Ebay.

**graphic designer** · 04-04-2009 06:06 AM

You might want to join merchantcircle.com. It is a networking site where you post your profile and web etc on it and you can send invites to companys to inform them of your services. I have had luck with merchant circle.com.