5 Essential tips for setting up and running a Small Businesses Online

Setting up and running a small business in these challenging economic times can seem an almost crazy idea.

-, CO (prHWY.com) November 29, 2011 - Setting up and running a small business in these challenging economic times can seem an almost crazy idea. With customers not spending and banks not willing to lend, times are really tough. This is why so many entrepreneurs have decided to set up an online business. The costs of setup can be so much lower than a traditional bricks and mortar business. Even with the lower start up costs, setting up a business online and making it successful is far from easy. Below we lay out some essential advice for all you budding dot com entrepreneurs whether you are just about to start or already have your website up and running.

1) Test your business model on eBay. Many online businesses have started on eBay as the setup costs are very low and there is a ready supply of customers. You can start with just their standard listing or for a few pounds more you can open an eBay shop.

2) Keep a detailed marketing data base of your customers and what they have purchased, this will end up being possibly the most valuable asset of your business. Use this to build an ongoing relationship with your customers. Customers may not always remember where they got that great deal last time so remind them regularly. A good example of this is - if a customer has bought a printer from you, email them with discount codes or any special offers you have on ink cartridges that you have.

3) Up selling - Offering a customer either an upgrade or an additional related item. This can take many forms, from a HDMI cable sold with a TV to an upgrade in delivery speed. Many customers will happily pay a premium for a next day Parcel delivery or an upgraded product. This can also be used to show your expertise in the market. So if you sell TVs, show the customer the extra cost to the model with extra features.

4) Marketing - as in traditional retail there is no point in having a brilliant well laid out shop with great product and prices if no customers come in to see them. This is the same with your website; if no one visits you can't make any sales. ( I will go in to greater detail on the various types of marketing in later posts).

5) Keep control of your costs. Remember the old saying, every penny saved is a penny earned. One way you can do this is to make sure you are not over paying for your shipping. Many websites offer discounted or free shipping to their customers so saving money in this area is a real winner. Parcel2ship.co.uk offer UK, European and worldwide parcel delivery courier services from premium courier companies like DHL, Parcelforce and City Link at discounts of up to 60% of their tariff prices.

For more information and advice on setting up and running an online business visit our blog http://blog.parcel2ship.co.uk/ or sign up for our free news later at http://www.parcel2ship.co.uk

Media Contact Details

Name: Howard Hughes
Company Name: Parcel2ship.co.uk
Telephone Number: 01293 422510
Email: howard@parcel2ship.co.uk

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Tag Words: city link, parcelforce, parcel delivery

Categories: Business

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