How hard is it to start an ecommerce site nowadays?

Discussion in 'eCommerce' started by crazlunatic, Mar 9, 2011.

  1. #1
    I am hoping those already with expertise on the topic can shed some light on this issue. Just how hard is it to start an ecommerce site nowadays with all the competition?

    I currently run 4 websites. One has over 10K visitors daily, one has over 2k, one has over 5k, and one is a very specific niche with 100 visitors per day but very dedicated and targeted.

    They are all technology related. I am wondering if you have any advice for me if I want to start one.

    I am leaning towards creating an estore for cheap projects that supplement electronics such as cases or wires.

    Thank you.
     
    crazlunatic, Mar 9, 2011 IP
  2. bhch10

    bhch10 Peon

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    #2
    It depends how many products you wish to implent in your inventory, as this can take quite a lot of time depending on which cart you use.

    I have used Magento all the time, and it can take a while to upload products.

    Other than that it's simple, once you have your design of the website figured out, all depends on how professional you want the website to look.

    The more time spent, the better it will be :) let me know if you need any help
     
    bhch10, Mar 10, 2011 IP
  3. DidierE

    DidierE Well-Known Member

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    #3
    The hardest part is adding all your projects and doing the promo work.
    All the rest is fairly simple actually.
     
    DidierE, Mar 10, 2011 IP
  4. prateekkumar

    prateekkumar Peon

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    #4
    u can select virtuemart or ubercart as open source ones.
    Magento is good but requires lot of resources
     
    prateekkumar, Mar 14, 2011 IP
  5. LateHosting

    LateHosting Peon

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    #5
    Most of the hosting companies have by default Applications Installer. You can use that and you have an ecommerce site ready and working from a button.

    Not really that hard.
     
    LateHosting, Mar 14, 2011 IP
  6. hhsaus

    hhsaus Active Member

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    #6
    Starting an ecommerce site is farily easy today.

    But sourcing quality products at decent prices, driving targeted traffic to the site, and making a decent ROI is a lot harder imho.
     
    hhsaus, Mar 15, 2011 IP
  7. gotlivechat

    gotlivechat Member

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    #7
    You had mentioned you have one 'niche' site -- that's where you may find the best success in selling products, either directly or as an affiliate. Doing sales as an affiliate from your sites is a good way for you to see how much interest there is from your visitors. If you find they're making a lot of purchases, you could always go the route of sourcing the products yourself.
     
    gotlivechat, Mar 16, 2011 IP
  8. crazlunatic

    crazlunatic Well-Known Member

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    #8
    Well I guess I should have reworded the title. Not how hard, but how hard is it to be successful? Lol, like everyone can make a blog... how hard is it to get a blog going with constant traffic and revenue?

    That's what I meant with the ecommerce site xD
     
    crazlunatic, Mar 17, 2011 IP
  9. emailm

    emailm Peon

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    #9
    Ecommerce is not that much trouble, if you selected right shopping cart software for your online shop. So beware of selecting ecommerce script .
     
    emailm, Mar 18, 2011 IP
  10. gotlivechat

    gotlivechat Member

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    #10
    Define successful :) Could you make a few bucks selling online? Sure... but will it make enough money to live on? Not likely, unless (like I mentioned above) you have a niche you're selling. All the big-box stores have the common items covered online - especially in terms of availability and price. You're going to need a site that is different than the rest.
     
    gotlivechat, Mar 18, 2011 IP
  11. Mightybotnyc Mbnyc

    Mightybotnyc Mbnyc Member

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    #11
    Its pretty easy. its 3 steps....taking orders...emailing...promoting...But some training wont her either.
     
    Mightybotnyc Mbnyc, Mar 18, 2011 IP
  12. crazlunatic

    crazlunatic Well-Known Member

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    #12
    By successful I mean good enough to be a part time job, or maybe even a full time job
     
    crazlunatic, Mar 18, 2011 IP
  13. NaSh123

    NaSh123 Peon

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    #13
    Why not try jumping on ebay EPN network? Can quickly throw it up and see how purchases are made. You can also try amazons associates program.
     
    NaSh123, Mar 18, 2011 IP
  14. mx187

    mx187 Peon

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    #14
    EPN is really hard to get approved for. Ive been trying for quite some time with no luck. As far as being successful... It depends on how much work you put into it, keyword research and getting the right traffic to the right product.
     
    mx187, Mar 26, 2011 IP
  15. Trojans2511

    Trojans2511 Peon

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    #15
    It'll take some time to start up, but once it gets going you'll be glad you did it
     
    Trojans2511, Mar 27, 2011 IP
  16. Richman25

    Richman25 Peon

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    #16
    It should not be too difficult if you know how.

    The main challenge I would see is how to give your visitors a good user experience.
    That's not only just include your product's quality but also customer's service (from start to the end of sales)

    Richman25
     
    Richman25, Mar 28, 2011 IP
  17. DocuMaker

    DocuMaker Active Member

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    #17
    Since you mentioned competition, 10k visitors a day, and trouble getting noticed, I think it might be time to get into guerrilla marketing!
     
    DocuMaker, Mar 28, 2011 IP
  18. crazlunatic

    crazlunatic Well-Known Member

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    #18
    anyone got any success stories of their ecommerce?
     
    crazlunatic, Apr 2, 2011 IP
  19. SeoDezin

    SeoDezin Greenhorn

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    #19
    Tell me what techniques you have adopted to such high traffic. I am really interested in it.
     
    SeoDezin, Apr 3, 2011 IP
  20. JerrickYeoh

    JerrickYeoh Active Member

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    #20
    It not hard at all to transfer your 4 website to ecommerce website while you can taking benefit to transfer your traffic to your customers as well. E-commerce cart and software is free and ready which you can get from hosting provider with a cPanel. It so easy to create a e-commerce website without any knowledge. E-commerce website template is also available. You only need to copy your content and change it to information website to e-commerce website with e-commerce cart, payment billing, member sign in and some call to action . That all you need.
     
    JerrickYeoh, Apr 3, 2011 IP