The rise of e-commerce has irrevocably altered the commercial milieu, providing entrepreneurs and business owners with an unprecedented chance to amass significant revenues. As the industry keeps growing, businesses must devise a comprehensive online selling strategy that leverages the latest trends and best practices. Investors must take various factors such as product demand, competition, pricing, and marketing into account to increase profitability. Products with high demand and low competition are ideal for generating good profits.
Furthermore, a solid marketing strategy is essential to attract potential customers and increase sales. The rise of e-commerce giants such as Amazon, eBay, and Alibaba have significantly impacted the online selling industry. While they provide a massive customer base and opportunities for entrepreneurs to reach a global audience, the competition can be daunting. However, with careful planning and execution, entrepreneurs can leverage these platforms to increase profitability and grow their businesses.
It is essential to understand the unique selling propositions of these e-commerce giants and use them to your advantage when building a successful online business. Despite challenges, entrepreneurship offers unique opportunities for meaningful impact and personal fulfillment. Success in the online business lies in finding your niche and delivering top-notch services or products that cater to your target market’s needs. Dedicate yourself to your craft, embrace the spirit of entrepreneurship, and watch your online business thrive.
Here are the factors to consider when choosing a product to sell online.
1. Profit margin
An online store exists to facilitate the buying and selling of products. Not all sectors of the economy are created equal when it comes to earnings. Margins for phone add-ons, for instance, are substantially higher than those of other electronics. Think about the profit margins in various businesses. After paying all of a company’s bills, the profit margin is what you have.
2. Customer base
The consumers that buy your business’ goods or services define your customer base. Consider the things you should know about them, including why they might buy from you. To succeed, an online store must sell unique products in value, quality, and performance. In many cases, the success of a product depends on how easy it is for the target audience to understand. Marketing a product’s superiority and ease of use is more effective than highlighting the product’s cutting-edge technology, no matter how remarkable it may be.
3. Competition
All businesses face competition, and success is often based on how well you respond to it. You should be aware of your competitors and always strive to develop a competitive advantage over them. To gain a competitive advantage, you could:
- Raise or lower your prices.
- Improve your product or service: Improving or modernizing features or the manufacturing process.
- Use creative channels of distribution such as channels of distribution not normally associated with your product or service.
- Exploit supplier relationships.
4. Logistics
The success or failure of an internet business doesn’t depend on how creative the idea is, but on how well it is implemented. The term “logistics” encompasses the processes involved in sourcing, warehousing, and transporting. Analyze the tools, components, and raw materials that go into making a product. It all comes down to whether customers can buy products without spending a fortune traveling across the country.
5. Market share
Market share is the percentage of all sales within a market that is held by one brand/product or company and can be measured in several ways, such as sales revenue and sales volume. Market share is directly linked with profitability and many companies aim to increase their sales relative to their competitors. You can measure your company’s performance relative to a competitor by the proportion of the market that your company is able to capture. Market Share = company sales divided by total market sales. You can increase market share by:
- Providing more value for potential customers e.g., improving product quality.
- Price cutting: To increase sales revenue, though this tactic may not succeed if competitors are willing and able to meet any price cuts.
- Adding new channels of distribution or increasing the intensity of established distribution channels.
- Promotion: Increasing advertising expenditure, though competitors may respond accordingly.
6. Niche
A niche is a small but profitable section of a market that is often suitable for a specific range of goods or services that meet a particular need. You can create a niche market by identifying customer needs or wants that are not being addressed by competitors and by offering products to those customers.
7. Storage
Storage facilities are necessary for warehousing products and parts before they are sold and sent to customers. This is a big factor for e-commerce sellers for many reasons, since it all hinges on how much space is available for storage. Shipping prices will increase significantly for items that are both large and heavy. If the price of the goods goes up to cover the delivery costs, giving free shipping won’t improve sales.
8. Marketing strategy
Your company will need a well-developed marketing strategy that will act as your marketing roadmap and forms an essential part of your overall business plan.
9. Brand message
Before you begin to sell a product or service, you should ask one question of your company – what does your brand stand for? For your brand to stand out in the marketplace it should make an emotional connection with potential customers. You should aim to sell an experience rather than a product, for example a financial service providing peace of mind.
10. Wholesale value
Some products are sold via wholesalers. Wholesalers buy goods from producers at a reduced price. After adding on their profit margin, they then supply the goods to retailers who sell to the public. Most businesses will be able to sell to wholesalers, as they can provide a good way to reach many retailers at once. However, you should look closely at the profit margin you need to make in order to remain profitable. This is important to ensure you don’t sell your products too cheaply to the wholesaler who will always want the lowest possible price from their suppliers.
11. Lifespan of product
Always, think about the product’s expected lifespan before selecting to sell it online. Most fashion trends peak after only one or two seasons and then fade from the spotlight after a year has passed. Sell something that will stand the test of time, and your company will thrive.
12. Passion for product
You have to care deeply about what you’re selling. If you’re passionate about the product and industry, it’ll be easier to persevere. Having an affinity for the product and its industry will make getting through the rough spots much easier. Consider what you’re most passionate about/love buying the most, whether it’s food, clothing, technology, etc., then pick a related product.
Conclusion
For many ecommerce beginners, the hardest aspect of starting out is deciding which products to sell online. The key to successful online selling very much hinges on making the correct choice of what to sell. There are many ways to determine the product that best suits the online market at any given time.
