Originally Posted by Runaway (Post 23166)

Hello FunPal, the online selling market is very competitive. Many people come and go. The way to succeed is to bite the bullet and stay through. Build and stabilise your customer base and in years to come you will be successful. I am new and won't say i am successful at this point but my observation of successful online sellers is that they have 2 traits:

1) They have been around for a few years at least and by word of mouth built a good base of customers.

2) They deliver good service. This means they not only retain their existing customers, their existing customers are confident to tell their friends about them. Word of mouth marketing is still most powerful in online selling.

Starting a business is always difficult at first because you need to get people to know you and trust you. But if you have stamina to stay long enough and deliver what you promise, you will certainly succceed. All the best! =)

Originally Posted by alanchow76 (Post 25436)

i guess keep on advertising helps if word of mouth is not available initially?

my 2cents worth.

Originally Posted by knuckles (Post 25234)

Hi,

I've just started my online biz, selling wireless IP cameras. So far only tried marketing in online forum, distributing brochures in new neighbourhood and tried a bazaar stall with very poor response.

Customers who bought from me are happy with the product as it allows them to monitor their maid/kids/home when they are at work, using iPhone/internet. I'm also happy to sell a product that is useful to them.

However, I have difficulty reaching out to a wider crowd. Do you think a product like mine is essential to have a retail store for pple to look and feel before buying? Any suggestions on how to improve sales for such products?

Originally Posted by Runaway (Post 25916)

Yes, advertising. Maybe to be more accurate, strategic advertising. Today's consumers are bombarded with overloading information from advertisers, such that they are pretty much numb and immune to advertising gimmicks. So, strategic positioning and marketing is important.

Originally Posted by alanchow76 (Post 25967)

runaway , what u said is true.
we are connstaly bombard with senselss ads.

the ads i put up are usually there, but the tuition and property ads
"disappear" very soon.

the more innovative ones are more permanent there.
Pinao taching SEO etc.

Btw,what link do you recommand ?