Forum Moderators: buckworks
I'm new to the forum and a "newbie" to starting my own online business. To give myself a bit of credit, if I may, I have read many threads in this forum and done some research. Heck, I even bought some "how to" stuff from the better known "masters" and I just feel like I'm a bit overwhelmed.
Basically, I really friggin' want to get a website up and running sooner than later. I'm willing to put in the time, to continue to learn, it's just that I'm not sure where to go or what to do next.
I want to start, or at least I think I do, an ecommerce site. Thing is, I can't afford to buy stock and it's so difficult to track down reliable people willing to dropship "popular" products. Until I find a supplier, should I try out some free ecommerce software to at least "get the hang" of it? I've heard osCommerce is a good (and free?) software but the user would have to "log-in", is that so? Is there perhaps a better software to choose at least for a newbie?
I know a little bit about html, css, that's about it. As I mentioned, I don't have any suppliers and when I come up with what I think might be a good keyword, via research with word-t and over-t, I haven't a clue about how to get a supplier. Any advice? By the way, I'm located in the UK although I'm American (hmm...does that even matter? anywho)
So yeah, any advice for someone like me where I've got the desire, know a little about PPCs, SEO, html, etc. (don't know php or asp tho') and want to know what I can do whilst looking for suppliers. Any advice from you vets on how you were able to secure suppliers would be much appreciated. And no, I'm not asking for yours, you worked hard for them, I just could use a little help in my strategy to find them based on your experiences.
Any any any replies, advice (stickies *wink) would be much much appreciated and thanks for your time to reply.
Carpe_diem!
PS - if any of you all think (once again IYHO) that perhaps it's best for a newbie to start with an affiliate site,or?, please feel free to advise. Thanks
PS - if any of you all think (once again IYHO) that perhaps it's best for a newbie to start with an affiliate site,or?, please feel free to advise. Thanks
I'd advise it. :)
Actually that's just what I was thinking all the way through your post.
a little about PPCs, SEO, html, etc. (don't know php or asp tho')
...so you've got quite a learning curve ahead of you to know more about those things, without getting into the vagaries of product selection, etc.
I think you could learn a lot from some affiliate work, with no real financial risk, and it might just give you that insight into what you want your product to be. ok ok... it will almost certainly give you insight into your product. :)
Heck, as a small startup with no purchasing power you'll probably fare much better without selling direct to customers. Once the UPS bills come rolling in (unless paid by drop shipper) as most I've used ship using YOUR UPS account, plus the cost of goods, plus the drop ship fee (some charge a hefty fee if they ship), and the refunds, and the chargebacks, and the competitive discounts...... you get the picture.
IMHO, when it's all tallied at the end of the day, unless you're REAL lucky or have very high margins, you would've made better money referring sales to Amazon or whoever and the best part is not having any of the associated headaches.
Either way, you need to have a business plan and realistic goals or you'll fail miserably. Do all your work up front, research the products, margins, associated costs, etc. and see if it makes sense, have a friend give you a sanity check, and if it looks profitable DO IT!
Cheers again for the advise!
