Ecommerce Success Stories

[fashionprintdesigner]

Hi

Just wondering about the ecommerce success stories on here. There's lots of advice etc and was just wondering those people who have worked hard and made a success out of it. Were there times you just felt like giving up and how much did you put on the line to get where you are. Was it all worth it?

Thankyou

Mandii

 

[fashionprintdesigner]

omg, no responses........................ I shall take that as there has been no success..................lol.

 

[andygambles]

Only been a day. Some don't like trumpet blowing.

 

[fashionprintdesigner]

Its just to give hope to those starting out. Just wondering if people started terrible then something just happenend. Or did some just start running with success.

Its not trumpet blowing, if people have worked hard and got success then its just fact..............anyhow hope Sonia doesn't turn up....

 

[IzzoNet]

Hey,
there are lots of success stories, just as every field in this life.
if you love what you're doing, i'm sure you will be successful.

why are you asking? are you thinking about opening ecommerce business?

 

[fashionprintdesigner]

Hi

I have got one, just need hope, belief, fingers and everything crossed and just want to pay for my final year of education. Think my parents have been through enough - they are barely surviving after funding me. And now have final year coming up and need to find £15,000 for materials..........

Sad days

 

[CustomJewelry]

Not yet an e-commerce success story, but I found this post to already be an inspiration to why I am starting and e-commerce store and hoping for that success to share with you here soon.

 

[Litherland]

good luck in your new venture.

Along with my main full time business i have run several ecommerce websites over the last six years. These where changed and tweaks over time as interest faded.

I did pet accessories, novelty gifts, printing business, local magazine printing and nappy cakes.

I handed over my printing ecommerce shop and local magazine business and the other three i really enjoyed doing them.

My pet shop was based across Europe but when i did this i was in my early twenties and i did it by myself so after a year or so i just lost the motivation which is a regret and i closed the site. Its all part of learning, i don't regret closing it down and not pushing it as i wouldn't have learned what i do today and what i want to achieve.

Novelty shop was again great and this continues to run but ive handed over ownership and the nappy cakes is for my local area as delivery is tricky and expensive and i really enjoy making them. Its based in the northwest and i run this through ecommerce and enjoy it.

Keep going with your venture, you might have quiet period and peak at certain times depending if your store is seasonal. The world is at your finger tips with internet marketing so do you marketing plan, choose whats best for you and start marketing it. Content marketing is a big one.

I find ecommerce shops to be easy to build and manage.

 

[Dark-Kni]

Hi,

what if i change the question to : "Do you have tips for beginners?"

you're answer would be greatly appreciated

thanks!

 

[Paul Norman]

Going to jump in here with some un-British reporting of success!!

Soleheaven is now in its third year as a Ltd company, and 5th year as a brand. It has grown massively, and is currently enjoying a record year.

The opening post rightly points to some of the hard work that is necessary building an online business of this scale. Lots of it. And then more still. Determination, patience, good selection of products, goodwill of suppliers, and very long hours, all play their part.

But so does bringing in the right expertise on website construction, logistics and marketing. We attribute our continuing success to these things also.

 

[Websitehandyman]

Depends on what to term as success.

I set my shop up purely because I wanted to do something I enjoyed and earn a living from it. I'm the 12th year, still love doing it, still wouldn't be making as much money from the sites as I was when I packed in the day job.

But the was no problem with me spending a day shopping with the good lady all day yesterday and I prefer my 3pm break walking the dog on Cannock Chase to standing by a coffee machine listening to people that bore me to death

 

[fashionprintdesigner]

Thanks everyone,

loving the replies.

Mandii

 

[blinkingspirit]

what if i change the question to : "Do you have tips for beginners?"

Definitely! My tip is "understanding analytics is one of the best things that you can do for yourself, and it isn't super hard".

To elaborate - get google analytics set up on whatever site you make. If you're tech savvy enough to be on this forum, you're savvy enough to understand what it outputs - though it will take a week or two of research and practice.

If you can know the answer to questions like "100 people came to my website, 3 of them bought, what happened to the other 97?" then you can keep changing things until it goes well - it won't at first!

 

[Greg Black]

My advice would be to market your business relentlessly.

If you don't have money to market your business, you will need to put in tons of time instead doing free stuff yourself.

Forget about sleep and a social life.

 

[fashionprintdesigner]

Hi Greg,

how long will it take to get things going? To see results? You have any handy hints or tips?

Mandii

 

[Greg Black]

Hi Greg,

how long will it take to get things going? To see results? You have any handy hints or tips?

Mandii

It really does depend on how competitive your market is.

The key to any business (especially online) is knowing your market, picking a niche in that market that you can compete in, creating a unique selling proposition and marketing it relentlessly.

If you want some inspiration about how to create a brand / following online - read "Crush it" by Gary Vaynerchuck.

I will look to do some posts on this subject as soon as I can.

What is your url, maybe I can make some more specific suggestions.

Cheers
Greg

 

[JocelynKirby]

Our ecomm client LessBounce has worked very hard at it and has just won the Ecommerce Award at the South Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards!

She's put a lot of time into her business to develop a great product range (sports bras), invested in a new ecommerce solution and back office system and we're really pleased that these efforts were rewarded in the awards!

 

[Greg Black]

Our ecomm client LessBounce has worked very hard at it and has just won the Ecommerce Award at the South Wiltshire Business of the Year Awards!

She's put a lot of time into her business to develop a great product range (sports bras), invested in a new ecommerce solution and back office system and we're really pleased that these efforts were rewarded in the awards!

Thanks for this example - a great case study of someone making a niche work for them, a clear brand that's fun and professional all at the same time, love the name of the site.

 

[alsze]

Yes, I have the feeling. but I believe the E-commercial is the best way to do business, especially the International business.

 

[SillyJokes]

my tip is, don't wait for the moment it all 'happens', just keep grafting.

 

[Greg Black]

Hi Greg,

how long will it take to get things going? To see results? You have any handy hints or tips?

Mandii

Hi Mandii

I have written a post that may be of help, it is aimed at those starting out and planning an eCommerce site, but I think you will find it useful even though you are further down the line as it is never too late to adjust your trajectory.

Knowing more about your market and how competitive it is will give you a better idea of how likely you are to get success and how quickly.

Where should I start when planning an e-Commerce site?

 

[Cristal]

Hi

I have got one, just need hope, belief, fingers and everything crossed and just want to pay for my final year of education. Think my parents have been through enough - they are barely surviving after funding me. And now have final year coming up and need to find £15,000 for materials..........

Sad days

What kind of business r u doing?

 

[Kate Kong]

Hard to find customer in web, and send the mail with them. all the hard work will come when you pay for the gain.