Welcome to the retail business discussion area

[Steve]

I know a lot of our readers either have been involved with a retail business or currently sell products in a retail division of their business so I wanted to start a forum that covered this area of business. I would also like to include eStore business issues. That would include things such as eBay stores or anytime you sell something online. I think it is great to be able to talk about many different aspects of business because it stretches your brain. It is a lot like cross training. So please share with us your retail business discussions or questions here.

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[CHEESE2009]

Lawn care business tips

Originally Posted by Steve so I wanted to start a forum that covered this area of business. This is fantastic & really is necessary! A lot of people have been asking where they should order [item name] from, & now we have it all easily at our fingertips! This is inspiring as well! I should come up with something to sell

[Steve]

I think everyone here has a great opportunity to create products or services that they can sell through the forum to this industry.

They can also sell these things through internet sites or in brick and mortar sites.

Did you ever have any ideas on products you would like to sell?

[CHEESE2009]

Originally Posted by Steve

Did you ever have any ideas on products you would like to sell?

It was a very windy & frustrating day yesterday while handing out my flyers. I am delayed with my flyer delivery because I am relying on the weather to change, it has been very wet & too windy to even hold more than one flyer in hand at a time.

Carrying a handbag isn't at all suitable, but it's the best thing I can find. Handbags have a habit of twisting around as you walk, & are basically just uncomfortable to hold. You want your hands free, or at least I do!

I was thinking about designing a vest that can support me throughout my flyer delivery runs.

I'm thinking about what a " water proof walking office" would look like.

Pant pockets can be a hassle, & you really don't want everything to be so crowded into one hand bag.

(Pens, Business Cards, Cell Phone, Maps, Notepad, Paper, Flyers)

This could all be the beginning to my super hero costume, & I haven't figured out how to make it look not-so-ridiculous or possible, but in time I'll figure it out.

Maybe it'd look like a reverse school bag, without the bulk!

[CHEESE2009]

Hahaha!



It's not that waterproof looking... but if you call now, we'll throw in a bubble suit - FREE!

I spelt torso wrong... oh well

[swstout]

Originally Posted by Steve

I know a lot of our readers either have been involved with a retail business or currently sell products in a retail division of their business so I wanted to start a forum that covered this area of business. I would also like to include eStore business issues. That would include things such as eBay stores or anytime you sell something online.

I think it is great to be able to talk about many different aspects of business because it stretches your brain. It is a lot like cross training.

So please share with us your retail business discussions or questions here.

I started an online store in February. I had many customers wanting organic products but not the service. After many hours of cussing and discussing the idea with family, suppliers and customers I decided to go for it.
Steps needed:
1. Get a domain name
2. Get web hosting
3. Set up PayPal Business account
4. Get Business License and Insurance
5. Set up sales tax account
6. Get packaging and shipping containers
7. Establish the most cost effective shipping system
8. Set up payment system
9. Develop website
10. Advertise
11. Develop labeling
12. Develop Information Sheets
Domain Name – I was going to go with “The Organic Lawn Care Store”. WebCEO suggested that I have no “Stop Words” in the name (stop words can cause search engines to skip the site). I went with “Organic Lawn Care Store”.
Web Hosting – I went with Microsoft Office Live. It was free, fairly easy to use, came with a blog and many other niceties.
PayPal Business account – Time consuming but worth it
Business License and Insurance – Getting the license took about 15 minutes at the courthouse. Insurance took about 2 weeks research and many phone calls.
Sales tax – I had to go to the county courthouse for this, took about 30 minutes.
Get packaging and shipping containers – Spent about 3 weeks on the web to get the best pricing.
Cost effective shipping system – The USPS came out on top. Common carriers were far more expensive that the postal flat rate costs and came with shipping box and labels. Cost per container that would hold a gallon jug - $10.70 for delivery anywhere in the US. Common carrier rates are based on distance.
Set up payment system – I went with PayPal. They accept Visa, Master Charge, American Express, Debit Cards and Online Checks. Also had the lowest charge of all the online payment servers I checked out.
Develop website – Time consuming as I used WebCEO every step of the way to make the site search Engine friendly.
Advertizing – Tried everything I could find. Traffic exchanges, search engine optimization, search engine submission (After submission can take up to 6 months), blog, social networks, and anything else that happened to catch my interest.
Develop Labeling – I went with a simple informative label that displayed product coverage (i.e. 8,000 sq. ft.).
Develop Information Sheets – Rather than putting everything on the product label, I developed sheets that I could print on my laser printer with links to my website and blog.
It is still “Work In Progress” but I am starting to get orders. My main investment has been time! If it flops, I haven’t lost a lot of money. Either way, it has been a learning experience.
Steve

[Steve]

Steve that is great! Can you sell the products to members of the forum?

Could you put a link in your signature to promote it?

It's not that waterproof looking... but if you call now, we'll throw in a bubble suit - FREE!

I spelt torso wrong... oh well

Very very creative LOL

[swstout]

Originally Posted by Steve

Steve that is great! Can you sell the products to members of the forum?

Could you put a link in your signature to promote it?



Very very creative LOL

I have set up these products for homeowners at the retail level but I could offer it to members of the forum. But they could actually get most of the products from Nature's Lawn for less money. Mixing is not that difficult and the income potential is terrific.

I suppose there are some who would like to try the products before ordering any quantity amounts.

I'm not sure how to add a link in my signature.

Steve

[Steve]

You should just be able to go into your signature add what ever link you want and it should show up.

You could even sell your lawn book through the site too.

Maybe the Nature's Lawn company has a referral program set up where you could benefit from turning people onto their site?

[wdcutter]

a little late but Natures Lawn offers an affiliate program that pays a 10% commission on all sales that come from your website, before shipping and taxes.