Ecommerce, Bricks and Mortar or Both?

[Plumb Spares Direct]

I'm keen to understand peoples experiences when starting out in business. Did you start with ecommerce or bricks and mortar shop or the shop and then added a website? Is there enough of an advantage by opening a shop these days? We are a Plumbers merchant with a warehouse and click and collect service or rapid delivery. The only downside so far is the old fashioned attitudes of some wholesalers who insist on a 'real shop' but they are definitely dying out, just like dinosaurs!

 

[Lourie_C]

I've previously worked for a digital media company where my clients had both a "servicing point/area" as well as a website. I think a presence online and a physical location is definitely important. From the perspective of a potential client looking for you online, Google will most likely show them a local plumber merchant on the first page of search results.

 

[Idosell Shop]

Why you have to choose one of mentioned. We advise our customers to go for omnichannel B2B/B2C. It does not matter what makes your eggs secure, just do not put all of them in one basket. Master one basket then add another, another till you will utilize all the opportunities. This way we come on the stage of choosing the right solution to provide you proper backup for omnichannel operations. When you consider wholesale it is important to think about capital rotation- the best alternative for that seems to be drop-shipping or cross-docking. Since B&M are still in a loop you can offer instore delivery- customer purchase online, collects loyalty points, discounts etc. and pick purchase within a store. This moment is perfect for upselling- POS has to be integrated with online inventory- this way you can sell trough B&M and avoid overselling.
B2B customers feel privileged being offered special pricing so it is important to restrict area for them online.
There are many areas distributors has to be concern about but and the more automated it will be the better- more time for market development.

 

[Paul Norman]

I've previously worked for a digital media company where my clients had both a "servicing point/area" as well as a website. I think a presence online and a physical location is definitely important. From the perspective of a potential client looking for you online, Google will most likely show them a local plumber merchant on the first page of search results.

I agree with this.

 

[Chris Ashdown]

You have the warehouse, do you have a trade counter which can take money as well as account customers if so that would help, definitely don't get a shop on top, its not required
Build a good e-commerce shop and make sure you include pictures of the warehouse and trade counter on all advertising

Offer pickup facilities for the web site for local customers

You can always enlarge your trade counter to make it into a showroom as well displaying your most popular lines

 

[Mike EMF Business]

Hi
I agree, multi channel is a key these days, There are some ways to the market which might be more or less orthodox and they work for large and small businesses. I am usually shocked how little people and businesses know about all these sales channels which are open and nearly free. There is plenty of information on this forum anyway so keep reading but if you need any more directions let us know

 

[natalieporter]

You can combine the both e-commerce and bricks and mortar. In addition, if you want to stand out in this crowded marketplace nowadays, you have to create also a mobile commerce app. It will probably help you to create customer's loyalty and then to expand your brand value.