Physical Offline Business: If you start up a business on the street it is all about location, location, location. Depending upon where you live this can be an challenge and at the same time a gamble when it comes to making a profit.You have to be ready to handle other tasks associated with starting a physical business such as:
Market Research: Starting a offline business means investing a significant amount of time researching the market and a need for the area where you want to establish your business. This can mean a lot of hours of researching and doing surveys.
Start Up Costs: Starting up a offline business usually requires a significant investment. For example, if you are starting a franchise it is not uncommon to for the start-up costs to be in the R 300.000 range with a deposit of at least 25% to 50% of that amount.
Overhead Costs: A offline business has a lot of overhead costs which include stock, taxes, utilities, insurance, shop rental, and staff, to name a few. For you to make a profit you would have to ensure that you make enough sales to pay the bills and your salary. It is not uncommon to have monthly expenses in excess of R 5000 easy. Long Hours:Many people start their own business to escape the rat race however, it is important to keep in mind that if you own a business you better be ready to invest a longer work week than the 8 to 5 workday.
Online Business: With a online business you can easily define your location where you want to offer your products and services. You are not limited to a specific location as you are with offline business. In comparison with a offline business some of the considerations include
Market Research: Instead of doing exhausting market research there are a lot of tools available online that allow you to research your market right from your computer keyboard. Tools such as keyword tools, analytics tools, chat rooms, social networking sites, and others allow you to easily research a product niche and get to know your market without ever having to leave your home office.
Start Up Costs: We offer online entrepreneurs a start up their business for under R 4000.00 which include domain registration,hosting,support to manage and upload products and services to your e-commerce website.We include a professional video marketing library. This is a significant difference when you compare it to the astronomical costs of starting a offline business.What’s more is we include online tools that allow you to promote your business with a no monthly investment. A Website is static if it don't get targeted traffic therefore we offer this service to our valued members you deal with one company from Hosting, web-design and SEO.
Overhead Costs: If you run a business online there is very little overhead costs.The only other overhead costs is a laptop computer, Internet connection, and telephone and most business users do not even have a telephone. Instead they opt for VoIP services such as Skype which allows you to make worldwide calls for free to other Skype users.
Short Work Week: When you set up an online business it operates 24 hours a day 7 days a week. Thanks our automated software even when you are away from your computer and while you are sleeping.Instead of having to limit your customers to specific hours you can be open 365 days year round without having to give up your life.So when it comes down to comparison which would you rather do? Pay enormous start up costs for a offline business and R 5000 per month worth of expenses or start an online business with very little start up costs and low overheads?
Watch this Video if you believe an online business is not for your company
The key differences between managing a brick and mortar retailing operation and that of an e-Commerce shop front:
e-Commerce is a direct marketing business whereas brick and mortar use distribution marketing, the demand on speed in the e-Commerce environment is much greater – customers are not tolerant if products are not available in the same way that they can be with a brick and mortar business. Packaging in e-Commerce is crucial as the business is responsible for delivery of goods.
The database is a major difference e.g. a brick and mortar retailer is not as concerned about customer databases in the same way as the e-Commerce business. Accurate data pertaining to delivery addresses, email addresses, correct products etc. are of paramount importance.
Imagine millions of potential customers exposed to your unique products and services.Would that increase the chances of your business expanding and thriving in these tough economic times? Add to that not having to pay a large rent bill every month, or cover the financial burdens of a large inventory, and have I got your attention? Large and small companies alike are discovering the Internet, and the potential it represents.
Let us do a free online business assessment here
We offer the full package from web design, domain registration, support, hosting, SEO and Website Marketing buy your E-Commerce Website here
