Newbie in this forum

[Palita22]

Hi everyone. I've recently started a retail business - I've started with laptop accessories and wanting to learn how to expand my business without needing too much capital. I hope this forum is the best venue to learn about this and meet people who can help me.

[schoolboy]

This forum is more about how to configure and manage Zencart Software, so if you are thinking of setting up a zencart online store, you are in the right place.

There are some topics on business-related issues - and how these relate to the operation of a zencart store, but generally we don't have much call to discuss general business strategy.

The sector you have chosen is highly competitive, so your initial challenge will be breaking into that market space.

Remember - an online store is just one sales channel. The best way to ratchet up your business is to aggressively pursue your local market and to offer people in your immediate community good products and service. Initially, your focus should be on developing a customer base that you can more easily deal with on a personal basis - that's why your local environment is a good start.

Yes... set up an online store (and zencart is ideal for this)... but don't think that the world will beat a path to your door. It's hard work at first, and that's why you should put most of your effort into traditional marketing and sales.

Join your local Chamber of Commerce (or equivalent). Meet other business people in your area. Offer companies (within easy driving distance) incentives to buy your products and services.

Compete locally first - it's more manageable - then when you have a solid base, look at expanding your influence through the internet.

[Vger]

That's very sound advice, and exactly what I would say. I would also say that if you do set up an online store then you should allow a realisric budget for it. The hosting will not be expensive and many hosts rpovide free installs of Zen Cart - but that's only the start.

You'll need (if you are serious about selling online) your own Full SSL Certificate (customers trust these more than Shared SSL Certificates), and a budget for either a template to redo the look of the default Zen Cart, or a budget for a custom template.

To "get noticed" quickly you may also want to set aside a budget for Google Adwords advertising.

Vger