How to Start a Home-Based Online Retail Business

[Caitlin]

How to Start a Home-Based Online Retail Business
by Jeremy Shepherd

Copy of my review at Amazon:

Jeremy Shepherd has written a very helpful guide for those who want to get started with an internet business. It is comprehensive without being redundant, It lays a foundation of all the major requirements to be successful in your venture. This includes much more than designing a web page and sticking a shopping cart on it. This is not a "home business for fools" book; it always assumes you are serious and willing to work harder than you may think, but it is very well written and easily understood. Starting with a good strong self assessment of your skills and strengths, he then guides you through the essentials of good business practices, including the special needs of going online. The book contains many useful sidebars and examples of his major points. He has made a point of sharing many of the tricks of the trade, so you can not only avoid the pitfalls of each aspect of your business, but get a leg up, much like having a real teacher who shares his personal experience generously. If you want a real business behind your website, you need this book as your basic text.

[Joan A]

Jeremy, Are you selling autographed copies at Pearl Paradise? Or is it better to order through Amazon?

Tx Joan

[jshepherd]

Actually, I am not selling them at all. I was commissioned to write the book for the publisher, so they are selling/promoting it... sorry!

[Bodecia]

Hi Jeremy and All,

I just ordered my copy of your book. Can't wait for it to arrive.

Bodecia

[Ragnorak]

Actually, I am not selling them at all. I was commissioned to write the book for the publisher, so they are selling/promoting it... sorry!

While I understand you are most likely under confidentiality agreements, which online shopping cart systems would you recommend?

[jshepherd]

There are so many...! Storefront is good, as is X-cart and Monster Commerce.

[Caitlin]

I am not only bumping this thread, I finally stuck it. Duh!

We have recently had some inquires that reading this book should help. Also if you read it and want more info, you can ask Jeremy here.

I hope some of you that have read and ordered it, will also give their opinions. It could not be more taylor-made for pearlie start ups.

When I read it, I realized I did not have what it takes to do the webpage right, let alone the other skills, and that was valuable information too.

[Amrita]

Hi Jeremy,

I have a copy of your book with me and I refer to it often. Actually, I have 2 copies, which I got by virtue of Amazon delaying the first ordered one so much that I complained to them, and they mailed a second copy assuming the first one was lost. In the end, I received 2 copies, and when I contacted Amazon with that information, they asked me to keep both and not bother returning one, because it would not have been worth it due to the shipping charges.

Well about the book - I have found it quite useful, as I experience the trials and tribulations of a new online retail business. Thank you for writing this handy guide which is an easy read and thank you for sharing with the readers your first hand experiences on different aspects of the business. Your do's and don'ts are priceless words of wisdom.

I wish however, that there was more on photography for the website - you know, stuff like tricks for taking pictures, the light, the close-ups etc.

So now my website is up and running, and I think I have done most things right, but apparently not all, as I am not seeing much movement. I wish I could know what I should do now - what is wrong with it....are the pictures not right? Is it not attractive enough? Is it because people do not know it, or if they do, is it that they have no basis to trust it? I think my business plan, my idea and my motive were quite clear and I think my position as a foreigner located in China aiming to supply wholesale FWPs is quite unique.....then what am I missing?

I would gladly agree to making a case-study of my website to learn what is being done wrong and what is right.... I think that will be a valuable practical lesson for all as a logical follow-up of your book. And of course, it should give a boost to my business, as we are shown how to make a web business successful by a pro!

Cheers,

[Mervione]

I´m very far away from being a professional, but I looked a little on your page and in my opinion you should explain about the grades you´re using. As you know vendors can call lousy pearls for AAA if they feel like it, so I think it´s good to explain to the costumer how it all works, so they feel more trust in you. Just my two cents.

[Amrita]

Thanks so much, Mervione! This is exactly the kind of feedback that is needed to novices like myself. I will certainly add your comments to my "to-do" list. Appreciate the input!

[jerin]

Hi Amrita,

your site does look very nice, I think on the "Know more" you also could mention The Pearl-Guide Forum for those who want to deepen their knowledge about pearls... and when explaining about the grades you could also mention about the different gradings but that you are following the grading of the vendors from the Forum.

Just my thoughts. Hope you will get many visitors and buyers to your site. BTW "Regular" is not a very clear term to my "visitor eyes", why don´t you call them rounds or semi-rounds?

[Amrita]

Many thanks, Jerin! Your responses are always so erudite, and I appreciate the inputs. I think it is a great idea to mention the P-G forum out there, and I don't know why I never thought of that....
Thanks for your thoughts which I have noted down to be incorporated into the website, and for your good wishes, which are actually the most precious gem of all (in my dictionary) as they pass on from one human being to another!

[jerin]

You are very welcome!

Inge

[pearlescence]

length of strand and size of pearl would help too

[Sueki]

Hi Amrita,
Also do bear in mind that it can take months for a website to start to show results.
It's rarely a case of "set up shop and begin selling......"