Jump-Start E-Commerce Page: It's Easier Than You Think
Feel like a victim when your business is shut down due to coronavirus? No income coming in? Well, even though your shop is closed, there is a simple action you can take to get some revenue coming in -- now.
As this is written many states are on mandatory shutdown due to coronavirus and stores just are not open. Perhaps you're one of them.
Is there a way to stay in touch with your customers, or for that matter stay alive until the coronavirus passes and we're safe to open stores again?
Well, one way, if you're not already doing it, is to sell products online. That way, there is no risk of virus infection and you may be able to generate some positive cash flow.
Think about it. You're shut in, but so are millions of potential buyers that are surfing the web all day to pass the time. They need stuff, and they can't go out and buy it, they can only buy online. Why not it your stuff too?
Litmus Test
How do you know if your products will sell online? What about Amazon? Great point. It's been our experience that you cannot compete with Amazon / Walmart / Target if all you're offering is a commodity item. They will eat your lunch on price, speed, and convenience.
However, if your business offers some truly unique items, that customers love and cannot purchase on Amazon, then you have great potential.
Jumpstart E-Commerce
Think it's a big deal to setup a new e-commerce page from scratch? Think again. If you already have a website with your own domain name, and you already have a merchant services account for your brick & motor store we can assist you is setting up an e-commerce page quickly at an amazing low price.
First, let's keep expectations in check. We're not talking about putting every item in your store or business online. We recommend selecting a half dozen of your world beaters, those items that fly off your shelves when your store is open.
Then, we would build a product page on your website with descriptors of those items for sale, with images if you have them. Your customers will drop the items, they wish to purchase, into a highly secure shopping basket, enter their credit card info (in an encrypted, highly secure fashion), and they would then authorize the sale.
You will have access to the records off all sales for fulfillment. Your payment will go into the same bank account that your existing merchant account is set up for.
Gift Cards and Certificates
If you're not already selling gift certificates and/or gift cards online, this is the ideal time to do so. Many of your loyal customers want to keep you afloat and will buy gift certificates now to redeem when your store is open. So, make that one of the items for sale.
O.K. How Much?
How much does all this cost, you ask. Again, keeping the initial phase small and accomplishable in quick order.
We have negotiated a deal with "Bluefish Studios " to set up a 6 product (or less) sales page, interfacing with a shopping cart which then interfaces with a payment gateway for $300.
And that includes setting up your initial store and training you in its proper use!
This assumes your current website is HTML-enabled in something like WordPress or similar.
The ongoing e-commerce monthly fees are as follows:
- 3rd party shopping cart: $9 per month
- 3rd party gateway: $10 per month + 10¢ a transaction
- Initial Webpage Domain: $0. Assumes you already have such
- Merchant account: $0. Assumes you already have one.
So for an initial setup fee of $300 plus $19 a month (cancelable at any time), you are in the e-commerce game.
Are my credit card processing fees higher for online sales?
The quick answer is yes, slightly. Card Not Present (CNP) transactions run about 30 basis points (30/100%) higher than when you swipe in your store. But hey, it's better than zero sales.
Can I add more items in the store?
Yes, absolutely. Again, we'll train you on how to make changes, adds, deletes to your e-commerce page. You'll be independent. Experiment with which items sell well online and adjust.
Should you really want to outsource the building of many more items than you feel you have the time for, certainly Bluefish Studios would be happy to give you a quotation.
What is the look and feel of the e-commerce page?
Again, it's pretty basic but gets the job done. Your branding and logo will be prominent. Here is a link for a "dummy page" Blue Fish Studio Shop Demo
You Gotta Market It
If you build it, they will not come. Just because you put an e-commerce page up, don't expect the sales to roll in without taking further action. How are they going to know you're now selling online? The most affordable way to get the word out quickly is via digital marketing: email blasts, Instagram, Facebook, perhaps Google ads. Whatever your budget can afford. In time your e-commerce page will be crawled by Google and people will find you organically, but until then, you need to promote yourself.
Conclusion
Unfortunately, we may be living in the new normal. The last contagion was MERS about 8 years ago, prior to that was SARS about 17 years ago. How many more years will it be until the next one? Health threats aside, from your business perspective you can reduce risk by offering an online channel for now and into the future
Next Step:
What to learn more about jumpstarting your e-commerce? Contact us:
Al Valente
NCR / JetPay
Email us
Albert.valente@ncr.com
(860) 961-4987
About the Author
Al Valente is a business consultant servicing New England and helps customers to make smart investment decisions in selecting their payments processing systems. He is an independent agent for NCR/JetPay and Upserve.
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