Q: I’m launching an online store with garage-sale prices to help women sell their products. Ninety percent of the items for sale will be made by women from around the world, especially those from developing countries. I’m looking for something to make us stand out. I’m thinking of having a fire sale each night at midnight where the customers can either pay the listed price or set their own price. It will only be for one hour. Is this a good idea or not, and if not any suggestions?
A: If a man can use the Web to parlay a red paperclip into a house, you can try anything.
“The beauty of Internet marketing is the ability to test out offers to determine their effectiveness,” says Theresa Flaherty, marketing professor at James Madison University. She suggests giving your idea a one-week trial run to see if there is any impact on sales.
But the hurly-burly, set-your-own path ethos of the online world isn’t license to be cavalier about your site’s identity. Your business has two prominent themes: garage sale and (global) women sellers.
Steve Latham, CEO of Spur Digital, a Houston Web-consulting firm, says that amping up your association with the latter could draw in more eyeballs and keep them there.
“I’d put up the ’cause marketing’ side of it a lot, because that’ll help you get a lot more viral,” Latham says. “If you look too much like your local furniture salesperson, then you’re not going to get the same bond with the audience you’re trying to reach.”
Latham stresses that when Web surfers hit your site, they need to quickly determine who you are, what you offer, what’s unique about you, and be given a reason to start a dialogue.
“Whether it’s buying something or registering with you for your e-mail list or news list, you want them to take some action,” Latham says. Creating a link between your site and its customers is more important than low prices when selling non-brand name merchandise.
Photo by Scyza.
Stand Out On The Internet
May 21, 2008 by Rich | 3 Comments
In Advice, Branding, Marketing
Angela on May 21st, 2008 at 1:22 pm
That’s some helpful advice. Adjust it some and many online businesses would benefit from it.
Jaquone Jefferson on May 21st, 2008 at 8:57 pm
I like your site and thanks for the suggestions.
Affiliate Expert on May 21st, 2008 at 11:31 pm
Not making a clear call to action is what most website owner failed to do. You want your visitors to have the ability to make the purchasing decision right away when they determine you have what they are looking for.
Here is a great video case study of students from a business program. These action steps is exactly what this article have lefted out.
http://ultimatewealthsystems.com/casestudy