POSITIONING YOUR ONLINE STORE FOR SUCCESS

by Charles Dumont
http://www.PayLessBrands.com

 

We all know that these days, online retail outlets seem like
they're a dime a dozen. There are thousands upon thousands of
stores on the Web, all competing for customers' loyalty.

The good news is, even though there are thousands and thousands
of stores, there are millions and millions of customers buying
online every single day. So, there are plenty of customers out
there for you, but how do you make yourself stand out from the
masses?

First of all, you need to advertise. Classified ads, press
releases, banners, and pay-per-clicks are all good ways to go,
but have you thought about advertising your store heavily in your
local market? It may seem silly to advertise locally when your
store can serve people from all over the world, but it's really
one of the smartest things you can do. Locals are more likely to
visit sites that are run by people in their own city or state.
Not only do they feel a kind of hometown loyalty, but they also
figure they'll save money on shipping costs if they're closer
to you. Put up posters, advertise on local TV and radio
stations, and run ads in city papers. Local advertising not only
works, it can also be more affordable.

Next, make sure you're dealing with reputable manufacturers and
selling quality products. When shopping online, people want to
know they can trust you. If you're going to compete with well-
known chains like Walmart and Amazon.com, you need to offer the
same level of reliability, and perhaps even better prices.
Negotiate the best possible prices with your suppliers, and make
sure you pass those savings along to your customers.

Before you can do anything else, of course, you need to choose a
catchy, memorable, and informative name for your store. Choose a
name that will make a good URL. A name that is too long or
complicated will turn people off, but at the same time, your name
should inform potential customers of what they're going to get
when they shop with you. If your main focus is high-end
products, you want your name to attract the kind of customers
that buy those things. Make sure your store name reflects that
level of sophistication. If you're trying to attract bargain
hunters, try using terms like "4less," "bargains," "savings,"
etc.

Overall, make sure your online store is inviting, honest,
reputable, and competitively priced. Solid business practices
along with well-placed advertising can ensure that your store
stands up to the competition.

Author Charles Dumont is President of PayLessBrands.com,
"America's Smart Bargains Place." The site offers a wide variety
of quality merchandise at prices negotiated with manufacturers.
No middle man means lower prices for customers. For more
information, or to check out phenominal deals for Mother's Day or
any occasion, see http://www.PayLessBrands.com. Reach Charles
at 954-974-7706 or mailto:in-@paylessbrands.com.