Monday, August 31, 2009

i launched my e-store, now what?

Starting an online business is always difficult. You've spent hours and hours to create your business plan, manage your finance, create and organize your site and be referenced on the directory. And the big day arrives ... you publish your store and must ensure that your first customers. Everything seemed so simple when you plan everything, but now it is real and seems not so easy: where are the customers?
What practical steps can you take to ensure that your store starts?


a Plan of Action

If you have not written a business plan in advance, it is time to take a pen and a sheet of paper. You should plan carefully what you want and do what you've already started doing. A plan will help you to crystallize your thoughts and ideas, which will act as a springboard for your creative thoughts. This will also be useful when you make an assessment of your progress compared to what you were hired to implement - the result will be the satisfaction of having achieved its objectives is the need for a great blow up ! The key element of your plan should define your typical customer: young or old? Or easy on the lookout for bargains? Single or married? ... Once you have identified clearly who you are and what your target customer, you will find that your first sale will become easier.


Send an e-mail to all your contacts

You think your personal friends or members of your family can not be directly interested in your product or service? But do not forget they also have friends and family and can help you spread the good news! Send an email to each contact in your address book and tell them if they do not already know, you started your online store and you need their help. In your e-mail describing your products and services, make them an offer music and ask them to forward it to all contacts from their address book. A bit "spammy" I know, but when such an act comes from someone you know, when you throw even a glance. For members of your family and your friends who do not have email, call or write them, tell as many people as possible that you created your store. Very quickly, you will receive visits from your site requests information ... and orders begin to flow.


Ask a reference

It is possible that you already had customers before creating your online store. In this case, you already have a small database of customers. Notify the creation of your online store and ask them if they did not know people or businesses who might be interested in what you have to offer. A reference, or a positive recommendation, is a powerful and easy to give your online store a good boost. Why not offer a small gift or a discount on the next sale to all customers who refer someone who has sponsored and their sponsor? This move will cement your relationship with your customers.


Talk about your store and your products to the maximum  of people you meet

You must begin to advertise your online store! Find all the ways to talk about your online store. Be enthusiastic!  publish articles on your online store. Remember the benefits of your products and the problems they solve. Have your business cards on you and always leave them everywhere you go! Supermarkets, restaurants, shops, wherever people find themselves.


Become a media star

Be as visible as possible on the media. Publish the maximum items to you on the Internet. Some solutions to create online shops like www.shopfactory.fr have a search engine optimization integrated, allowing you to be seen more easily online. On the other hand, the local newspaper or radio stations are always on the lookout for stories that interest to the community. Do not present a simplistic story when you talk simply creating your online store, your story must be interesting and originale.ask yourself the following questions: Have you had a flash of inspiration following a shocking experience? What prompted you to get started in e-commerce? Make a survey that shows that people are in dire need of a service such as yours. Think of something that captures the attention of readers and therefore the editor, it will increase your chances.


Building Relationships

Do not be disappointed if you do not get sales from the launch of your online store. Sometimes you have to be patient. One way to achieve your first sales is to focus on building relationships with potential customers. Stay in touch with them, remind them that you are still there and, assuming you have properly targeted, they should approach the purchase alone.

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