Feedback from Small Business Managers

[Sleidia]

Hello.

If possible, I would like this thread dedicated to individuals who had a good idea of small online business, who set it up and who are actually making a living with their idea.

If you are one of them, I would like to know what are in your opinion the factors that made your enterprise successful.

Thanks a lot for your feedback. My Work...

http://www.pariswave.com

http://www.tppro.com

http://www.france.jalpak.fr

http://www.tokyo-gas.co.jp/IR/ir_j.html

http://www.scandinavia.co.jp

...and More...

 

[foxdev]

In my case, recognizing an opportunity and seizing it.

Whether online or bricks-and-mortar, I would not start a business where there is already tons of competition, unless I had some tangible and marketable way to differentiate myself.

I am in a market with quite a few competitors, including a couple that do an immensely greater volume than I. But my prices are half of theirs. My sales are growing at an average of 20% per month, so I have to assume I'm gaining market share at someone's expense.

I see allied areas where there are still opportunities, especially in the wholesale market. There are plenty of companies selling widgets wholesale, but very very few selling them at wholesale on the Web - at least with competent sites. --------------
Low Cost Prints:

http://www.lowcostprints.com

 

[Sleidia]

Thanks for responding.

What about the balance between amount of work and incomes?
Do you make a living?
Do you have enough free time?

See you. My Work...

http://www.pariswave.com

http://www.tppro.com

http://www.france.jalpak.fr

http://www.tokyo-gas.co.jp/IR/ir_j.html

http://www.scandinavia.co.jp

...and More...

 

[foxdev]

Every business will be different, so its difficult to make a broad statement that will work for everyone.

In my case, my business management activities takes an average of 5 to 10 hours per week. In this category I include keeping the online catalog and Web site up-to-date, routine site maintenance, handling of special order situations, bookkeeping, creating and managing advertising, etc. - basically everything except filling orders and directly working with the stock.

On top of that, another 30 hours or so a week are spent by an employee in filling and packaging orders.

For my business, the amount of time required is geometrically linked to number of orders (hence, income), on both the management and the operational sides. --------------
Low Cost Prints:

http://www.lowcostprints.com

 

[Sleidia]

Thanks again for your input.
I wonder why there are so few people visiting
this e-business forum...
...btw, I've noticed you're using Miva as your
shopping-cart/payment system.
Are you happy with them?

Is it possible to make the shopping cart display
other languages upon a request from the user?

See you.

I just had a look to Ibill recently and I found them terrible. They never replied to my e-mail also.
Anyone is currently Ibill? Satisfied?


My Work...

http://www.pariswave.com

http://www.tppro.com

http://www.france.jalpak.fr

http://www.tokyo-gas.co.jp/IR/ir_j.html

http://www.scandinavia.co.jp

...and More...

 

[foxdev]

I've used Miva Merchant for about a little over a year, and did a fair amount of research before going with it. One of its key advantages is that there is a large community of developers who make all kinds of gizmos to enhance the store.

It supports English and German out-of-the-box. I'm not sure what would be required to support other languages, other than editing the source files. --------------
Low Cost Prints:

http://www.lowcostprints.com

 

[fhlee]

Hi,
I think eBusiness is good. I am making my living from it at the moment. Solely B2C ... Because I deal mainly with consumer, I think customer service is the most important. Referral Selling and Relationship Selling is my bible.

Delivery a service with your best Quality/Price ratio and back it up with solid customer service and you'll be on your way. Yeah, sometimes, you get some nasty customers but overall, you should have a large base of happy customers.

Am a victim of the dotCom shake-out but am getting back on my feet through B2C. Definately better than selling IT solutions. cheers. ~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-~-
Visit -->

http://www.replicaSi.com

for (Replica) Watches, Pen, Handbags, Hats, Jerseys and more ... at prices that makes your code spin ...
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[Sleidia]

Hello Fhlee.

Thanks for your feedback!
Could you tell me more about the kind of nasty things
bad customers did to your business?
I'm curious to know how bad it can become and what protections are need in order to be as safe as possible.

Also, I see you are selling products. Do you think
it would be more profitable to sell services instead?
What would be the main difficulties according to you?

Have a good day.

PS: I wanted to test your payment system, that'way I had to create a profile with fake information. Sory for thet

BTW, are you living in Asia?

My Work...

http://www.pariswave.com

http://www.tppro.com

http://www.france.jalpak.fr

http://www.tokyo-gas.co.jp/IR/ir_j.html

http://www.scandinavia.co.jp

...and More...