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Message |
Jagger
Member
08-07-2002
| Monday, September 27, 2004 - 8:55 am
I am looking at starting up my own business (yes very very scary) I am thinking of having a website designed so people can order product directly from the internet. The company I am starting my business with will build and maintain the site, which would also include them keeping track of inventory and things like that. I have not discussed any pricing with them yet, but I know it won't be cheap. What suggestions do people have for setting up a website and general idea of what it should cost. BTW once I get things up and running I will post a link to the site so everyone can check it out.
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Urgrace
Member
08-19-2000
| Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 7:07 pm
Good luck, Jagger, on your new business adventure. I hope someone here can help you with your question.
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Draheid
Moderator
09-09-2001
| Wednesday, September 29, 2004 - 7:18 pm
Jagger: The question you ask is difficult to define. Depending on the complexity of your product line, the methods of selecting from those products, the layout you desire, the amount of unique customization you may want to build your 'brand' upon, can all add to quite a lot of money invested in the 'upfront' building of an e-commerce website. There are hosts and programs available that would enable you to quickly begin doing business online with a minimum amount of effort and investment on your part if you choose to go with someone's standard package deal. Or you could spend literally thousands of dollars potentially to build the best possible site for your line of business. I am not real comfortable discussing this type of topic because it is such a potentially complex undertaking. If you would like to PM me with a few more details, I would be happy to try to give you more information if I can.
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Jagger
Member
08-07-2002
| Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 6:29 am
Thanks Dra. The place I am purchasing most of my inventory does have an e-commerce company the work with that will do it all. I think the first thing I need to do is find out their prices, but right now I am still waiting for my first order to arrive so I can check the quality of their merchandise, if I like it than it will be a definite go with a web site, if the quality is crap than I won't even pursue the website idea. Thanks for the good luck wishes Urgrace, I'll definitly need some luck.
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Starshine40
Member
07-30-2002
| Thursday, September 30, 2004 - 3:51 pm
Many ISP's offer website space with the extras you would need, such as website building software, credit cards acceptance, etc as part of a pkg deal for a monthly fee. I used to be on a local ISP that had it and I'm now on Earthlink and I'm sure they have it also. As far as merchandise.. there are companies that do drop ship mailing... you just place your order to them and they mail it to your customer. You don't have to order the merchandise then resell it or do the receiving/shipping yourself.
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Jagger
Member
08-07-2002
| Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 10:18 am
You guys are right, web sites costing is so varied, it all depends on how big and what you want it to do. Just the company I buy my product from, which also will build the web site has plans that range from 300 bucks to 2500 bucks. I think I need to make a few bucks other ways before I set up my site, it is too late to get it up and running before the holidays so I can wait a little bit before deciding which route to go.
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Starshine40
Member
07-30-2002
| Tuesday, October 05, 2004 - 8:28 pm
Jagger, I believe that having the company you buy your product from do your website is going to cost you a LOT more. I investigated something like this some years back and that was the case with the company I was looking into. My local ISP rep (at that time) suggested I buy from a company (which I would only buy the mdse from when I had an order) which would do the shipping. She also advised to try selling items on eBay for a while to see how it went and to make some sales before doing a website of my own.
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Jagger
Member
08-07-2002
| Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 9:01 am
Thanks Starshine, I've decided to wait awhile before doing the website thing. I will stick to the home parties and catalog orders, plus I am renting a very small space in one of the local stores near me. Once I see how well the items sell I will re-look at the internet option. Once I get myself organized ( in about 2 weeks) I will start a thread about the kinds of product I sell and see what everyone thinks.
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Starshine40
Member
07-30-2002
| Wednesday, October 06, 2004 - 6:17 pm
Jagger, that sounds like a good plan. By doing home parties, catalogue orders and having a small space in a local store you should get a very good idea of how well these products sell. Then if necessary you may want to change or modify your product line. Let us know what types of items you are carrying, ok? Best wishes with your business.
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