How do you attract customers to your ecommerce store?

[Habtom]

Hello,

Once the ecommerce site is ready, it won't be useful at all if there is no customer. To get customers, I believe the only we could do it is to advertise and convince customers to use services.

How do you guys hunt customers?

Habtom

[martyt]

Start with paid placement (Google AdWords, Overture, etc.), search engine indexing, word of mouth, prudent posting in relevant discussion groups (provided your products are suitable - most groups frown on blatant spam).

Throw in a big dose of patience, stir in the best customer service you can possibly provide and soon they'll be beating down your door... Of course, you need a web site that's easy to navigate and you need to have attractive prices...

[moperyman]

and Viral Marketing...host a "grand openeing" contest that requires sign up to win. be sure to include (and default to yes) a check box branting you the right to email market to those who sign up.

Also include a "forward this contest to a friend" email solution (again, with promo opt in).

Other good way of attracting shoppers is Froogle ($), Yahoo Product ($), Amazon ($$$), NexTag ($$), Shopping.com ($$) and Shopzilla. Put some loss leaders up on these product search portals (good, in demand product at your cost) and let the shopper poor in.

Remember, you aren't in this to make 1 sale to 1 person...you are betting on TLV (Total Lifetime Value) of the shopper to make you business a success. (Unless you are selling viaga, pirated software, or enlargement solutions)...then you can email me directly (joke).

[Rugles]

Be prepared to lose money for a year or two. Just like any business.