The Wholesale Forums

[mrhmartin]

Hey. I don't have any distributors and I pretty much just buy what I can get my hands on for resale (usually consumer electronics or toys). I generally have about 10 different items at any given time for sale usually with multiple quantities of each. What options besides eBay do I have to advertise my products? Would it be beneficial for me to start my own site? Thanks

[Pete]

As much as I like to promote and install online shopping carts, I don't know that would be the way for you to go.

Unless you could find some people to promote it to as quick turn, bargain price items they need to come back often and check.

It takes awhile to build that kind of customer. Maybe spend some weekends visiting flea markets and such, passing out cards.

I'd say you need to give it some thought. The cart will only cost $ 5 a month, or so. Not so much the cost as the time entering items each week and the money spent to promote it.
.

[dheeruyadav]

Starting your own site is a good decision in a longer rum...initially it requires investment as your site will not be generating any revenue so you have to bear the cost of it for its promotion and et al...but in linger time it will be fruitful.
you can also advertise your offer on some free websites.

[peth]

Like "dheeruyadav" said, it might be better to look into a website for the long run, but in the short term you might want to consider options such as Ebay as you have the global market at your feet to work with. You then dont have to worry about advertising etc

[hardwareheroes]

Even try to link to your website from ebay

[peth]

I think thats what its all about ...progressing to a website. However, thats not to say that using just ebay is not a good way to do business, some people/businesses on there make plenty of money!

By using both ...once a customer has dealt with you through ebay,you can then then keep in contact with them and link them to your website.

[buyitonlinehere]

Yes, you have a choice, depends on your budget. If you need money quickly then ebay is the way forward. I myself am just starting out my way in the world. I have gone down the shop route myself. I feel that in the long term it will be better.

But there is not reason why both of them can not run in tune with each other.

From
Doug

[taps77]

I'm yet to take up this offer but if you go on Google and type in 'Microsoft Live Small Business' there's a link to Microsoft where they offer you a free domain name for two years and business e-mail plus other bits and pieces to help start an online store. Obviously you'll have to look into it more but you can sign up for free first before you go ahead and decide whether you want it. You could use the two free years for your domain so that your website covers its own costs thereafter, as the price is only around £10 per year for a .co.uk address and less for a .com address. I'm looking into it to find out as much as I can about it first and I'd suggest you do the same as it looks fairly helpful to me right now. Good luck whatever you choose!

[Tango34uk]

Google has a website builder now! Don't know how good lol but worth a look if you are new to this http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en...nG=Search&meta=

[rubert jackson]

Creating a website is a good way to expand your business but the returns wont come overnite. Patience will be needed Setting a website is not an easy task and would be needing continuous investment. Make an analysis of how competitive your site will be and then you can think about it