Help starting a wholesalers

[TheFitLocker.com]

Hi i am looking to start an online electrical lighting and amongst other things the online store provides services......
The unique think about my business is that we offer the products we sell with an installation price also.
So a client can come to our site select a light fitting, sockets, cctv, wireless house alarm pay for it online and then a member of our team comes on the selected day and time the client has chosen to install "Z" products.....
The problem i am having is contacting the right manufacturers so we can provide the best possible product along with a great install.
I wanted some advice from anyone who has came across similar obstacles.
Thanks
Carl

 

[Idosell Shop]

Good idea, you create added value within a bundle. From the software point of view, it is easy to add a note or set time installation has to proceed. Wholesalers have a wide range of products to be chosen from. It is a good idea to have customers product review on product cart, with time it will help customers to pick the right products. I would either pick quality products for your warez or enable live chat on the store. There is one thing you have to be sure- the quality of installation.

 

[fisicx]

I don't think it's a good idea at all. You will be competing against a whole range of local and national suppliers with well established online and B&M stores. The chances of you ranking well for anything are negligible which means you will be spending a huge wodge on advertising.

I can't see this working without a huge investment of time and money.

 

[TheFitLocker.com]

thanks to both for responding....
The site is already setup it has the features you have meantioned with costumers review for each item. As we build reviews it will give other people confidence.....
The idea is that people can kit there homes out , landlords can select the relevant dates for there annual testing for gas/elec.
I just don't know where to get my quality products for my site.....
i was thinking of starting off with :
wirless alarns
cctv
lighting
power (sockets)

the services we offer :
gas testing
boiler servicing
electrical testing
pat testing etc

but again i need quality products to sell.

 

[NewGardenStyle]

As a landlord, I wouldn't use your service. My gas safety guy calls me a couple of weeks before my certificate expires and we arrange a time for the inspection. Same with my fire alarm guy biannually. Electrical inspections are only every five years. So no need for me to mess around booking somebody in on their website.

Even attracting new landlord would be difficult - local search results and the likes of checkatrade have it all sewn up already.

 

[fisicx]

And the sparky will use his usual supplier (with whom he has an account) and where he can get everything he needs. And the chap who does CCTV installations will be the same. And the plumber ande everybody else. They won't come to you to buy their kit nor will Mr Jones who wants a ballcock for his loo or Mrs Miggins who needs some light bulbs.

You have built a site for which there is no demand.

 

[fattony]

This is my industry and I have to agree with fisicx, I don't think you will attract trades so your looking at home owners.

Occasionally we dip into security and get the cameras online (Cctv central as an example) we know it's not the best price but if it's once or twice a year I'm not that fussed

I'm sure I've seen a website similar to this, you picked the products you wanted and the website calculated the installed cost, I liked it, never used it and can't remember the name of it

 

[TheFitLocker.com]

thanks for the response
you are right I'm stepping into the unknown but do you know what sometimes you have to think "f**K it" if done the market research i can see a gap in the market lets do it.

 

[TheFitLocker.com]

@NewGardenStyle thanks for the post i understand you are already provided with a service you are happy with which is great we are just offering an alternative.....if landlords sign up with us they will receive a text a couple of weeks before there annual certification is needed the same with business owners and PAT testing....
What you are all saying is right BUT... i feel the construction industry is packaged poorly in my opinion. It isn't aimed towards people in general its aimed to no one really i mean in a consumer sense, yes you can search for electricians , plumbers etc but i feel like there isn't a service like ours and there should be so I'm filling the gap....
I'm in the early stages so all comments help and thanks for taking the time to read my posts

 

[Idosell Shop]

@NewGardenStyle thanks for the post i understand you are already provided with a service you are happy with which is great we are just offering an alternative.....if landlords sign up with us they will receive a text a couple of weeks before there annual certification is needed the same with business owners and PAT testing....
What you are all saying is right BUT... i feel the construction industry is packaged poorly in my opinion. It isn't aimed towards people in general its aimed to no one really i mean in a consumer sense, yes you can search for electricians , plumbers etc but i feel like there isn't a service like ours and there should be so I'm filling the gap....
I'm in the early stages so all comments help and thanks for taking the time to read my posts

Better is an enemy of good, there is always the space for improvements.

 

[NewGardenStyle]

@NewGardenStyle thanks for the post i understand you are already provided with a service you are happy with which is great we are just offering an alternative.....if landlords sign up with us they will receive a text a couple of weeks before there annual certification is needed the same with business owners and PAT testing....

Sending a text is inferior to a phone call so scrap that idea.

 

[TheFitLocker.com]

A phone call it i then haha its an option I give to customers if they purchase that particular service how they want contacting for renewal of there test certification.

 

[fisicx]

How do you plan to market this service?

What incentives do you have to move people way from their existing providers?

I'm a landlord and I already get notifications when things are due. What are you offering that I don't already get?

Why do you need an ecommerce store if your business is a servicing contract?

 

[The Byre]

You need to concentrate your efforts on ONE thing. Now you want to start an electrical installation wholesale operation (except it would sell to end users, so not wholesale at all!) Earlier, you asked about getting more customers for your father's installation company, before that, it was a social network for fitness training.

Pick just one thing and do that to your best ability.

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

I am all for new start ups - new businesses setting foot into any industry, but most of the time these companies are opening up with tradesmen/women that know what they're doing... No offense, I don't know you from Adam but as @The Byre has stated... Pick just one thing and do that to your best ability.

 

[Idosell Shop]

I am all for new start ups - new businesses setting foot into any industry, but most of the time these companies are opening up with tradesmen/women that know what they're doing... No offense, I don't know you from Adam but as @The Byre has stated... Pick just one thing and do that to your best ability.

Agreed- business development is a bit like developing software. Cut into small to do parts and master one after another- deliver. Application developed in 50% in a manner a bit off here a bit off there and 50% of features developed are two different stories. Once you master area you can move to another- at least mastered ones will work well for your business and give a chance to master others. I would recommend Agile Project management in this case- it derives from software development but is applicable in other areas.

 

[NewGardenStyle]

Ah, hadn't seen the other threads until now.

Yes, you need to stick to one thing and your best opportunity lies with the skills and experience you already have.

Forget the shop, that's dead in the water as you won't be able to compete. If you want to move into landlord certification, fine but as noted above you will need to work out an incentive to pull customers away from their current provider. Which will be very difficult.

 

[TheFitLocker.com]

Thanks guys great replies which of course I will take on board....
My main goal is to progress my construction company first and foremost through advertising and networking with others who can help me progress and get more clients....
I started the online building service shop to set ourselves apart from our competition I think its a great idea for anyone new to picking products for there home or business as all services and products will be reviewed by previous customer giving new customers the confidence to purchase products and services that we provide...
I have had mixed reviews about the online building service shop as its a new concept mainly positive as It is a new way to buy products or services, but I do agree that, the idea does in some ways competes with the big boys but I would have to disagree because on the other hand I believe that it stands alone with nothing else ever created. I always felt the construction industry was packaged poorly and the idea I have come up with fixes that.....but again I understand it would take a huge amount of advertising and marketing for it to take off nationwide....
Currently it only provides services and product installation throughout the north west.
Regarding my other venture
thefitlocker.com is under development by my developer and doesn't take my focus away from my construction company.
Thanks ones again and I look forward to reading more replies

 

[Plumb Spares Direct]

This concept is ancient and is available in the states to some degree. I was on the periphery of discussions with a large DIY chain over 10 years ago about such a service, tied up with a large national plumbing firm to provide the service. It never got off the ground for a number of reasons. These players are both very big and very capable of pulling off such a feat what with their size, product range, capability and the amount of customers who pass through their premises. The idea was to have a buy price for a flush valve (for example) and next to it a fixed price for supply and install. The half a dozen customers visiting your online store each week combined with the half a dozen lightly loaded white van men are not even on the same planet! Richard Branson has a lot to answer for with his 'screw it let's do it' quote which encourages everyone that just by screwing something and doing it that it will be successful. Business REALLY isn't like that, it takes a great idea and thorough due diligence including lots of market research before you say that phrase. I'm all for a trier, but channel your energies into something that has a chance

 

[TheFitLocker.com]

Thanks @Plumb Spares Direct for the response I agree with you all I have decided to focus on my construction company I will leave the wholsalers idea website up as a still feel it is something that still makes us slightly different but not offering products only services......if anyone wanted to take a look my site are : www dot glassarprojects dot com
which also leads to the build it smart service shop www dot builditsmart dot co dot uk

 

[Root 66 Woodshop]

With all due respect @TheFitLocker.com the builditsmart website is going to fail even more so.. simply because it's not finished.

If you're going to have a website up - finish it... otherwise you just look like the builder cowboys out there.

 

[TheFitLocker.com]

I have put builditsmart.co.uk on hold and I am 100% focusing on my construction company thanks for the response and showing interest

 

[The Byre]

The whole of the UK construction industry needs a mighty kick up the rear end, TBH. It is totally stuck in the 60s. There are still plumbers out there, using copper pipes. Roofs and other timber is usually cut and fitted on site, electrics are completely old fashioned and illogical.

The supply of regular stuff one gets in any other country is limited or non-existent, like fibreboard, instead of plasterboard, technical timbers seem to be unknown here, communication stuff like fibre optics and CAT cable is almost never installed as a matter of routine.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Thanks @Plumb Spares Direct for the response I agree with you all I have decided to focus on my construction company I will leave the wholsalers idea website up as a still feel it is something that still makes us slightly different but not offering products only services......if anyone wanted to take a look my site are : www dot glassarprojects dot com
which also leads to the build it smart service shop www dot builditsmart dot co dot uk

It is common and understandable to want to shout about the wide range of things you can do, but the reality is, the more you put in, the more you dilute your message. This reflects in your website as well as your diverse start up posts.

Even within your business, you should focus on being top of your game in one market rather than trying to be all things to all people

 

[TheFitLocker.com]

thanks @Mark T Jones as I said I have but other projects on hold hens them being unfinished.
my construction company site is www dot glassarprojects dot com this is the business I am solely concentrating on. Thanks for the response all feedback welcome

 

[TheFitLocker.com]

@The Byre I don't want to be rude but what was the point you were trying to make?
Thanks

 

[The Byre]

Just that any innovation you can bring to this moribund industry is long overdue.

The problem will be to get the acceptance of the trades and the customers.

 

[fisicx]

my construction company site is www dot glassarprojects dot com this is the business I am solely concentrating on.

You need a website review. There are so many things need fixing on that site.