New to E-commerce

[rahulkapadia]

Hey guys, Im currently thinking about starting a new E-Commerce store. Could people please tell me for their particular niches what the challenges they currently face are. And if so are you willing to pay to resolve it? I am probably looking to start something in the cooking and baking supplies niche but hearing other peoples challenges should be helpful.

 

[ecommerce84]

As it happens, we’re in the baking sector and so we buy a lot of baking supplies.

The biggest challenge facing any new E-commerce store is driving traffic to your website. You could well need a huge chunk of cash to spend on marketing before you start to establish yourself.

One other issue will be getting people to trust in you and your operation. We basically use a handful of suppliers that we trust. I know the order will arrive the next day, I know they have procedures in place to ensure that I will receive what I order and in one piece. For me, this is more important than the supplier being the absolute cheapest, if an order is delivered late or incorrect it could potentially cost me hundreds of pounds.

Too many new e-commerce sites try to be the cheapest in order to pull in as many customers as possible and worry about how they’ll turn a profit later. I’d question as to whether you even want customers that shop for the cheapest price, they are rarely loyal.

Best of luck though, as E-commerce is a tough place to get established in 2022.

 

[fisicx]

Hi and welcome to UKBF.

Have you thought about selling cookie cutters?

 

[fantheflames]

Hi @rahulkapadia - welcome to UKBF ?

I don't run an Ecommerce store, but some of my clients do.

I also know a couple of people local to me that run local online bakeries for custom cakes for special occasions.

From what I know having worked with baking businesses is... delivery.

You'll find that people order cakes for all sorts of reasons, they may be local to the area or visiting for a special occasion.

Customers want their baked goods delivered on time.

Time/delivery is a critical element of cakes and most types of baked goods.

Like @ecommerce84 said, it can cost a lot of money and headache when baked goods are damaged or don't arrive on time.

I would also say having a clear booking system in place - including cancellations or alterations, is very importance.

 

[fisicx]

@ecommerce84 and @fantheflames - look at their profile. He sells (or is promoting) a cookie cutter company. No intention of setting up website.

 

[WebCider]

Hey guys, Im currently thinking about starting a new E-Commerce store. Could people please tell me for their particular niches what the challenges they currently face are. And if so are you willing to pay to resolve it? I am probably looking to start something in the cooking and baking supplies niche but hearing other peoples challenges should be helpful.

Hi, I knew a lady selling home-baked cake/cookie on social media initially, and had her own website a few years later.

Not sure how she resolved her supplies but the most obvious challenge I can see from her website, from my point of view, is the automatically delivery cost calculation.

Since she is small, she could not offer a flat delivery rate for all orders from all regions (with in Manchester). Therefore, all buyers have to place an order then wait for customer service to confirm the shipping cost based on address, and then ask the buyers to pay.

For some impatient customers, or those impulsive buyers, this waiting time, although may be only 20mins, could push them away. At least I cancelled my order after realising sugar carving was the only reason for me to place the order.

 

[Lawson@CBF]

Since Brexit we have lost a number of baking sector clients all down to supply chains.

One cake premix manufacturer was one of the cheapest on the market, manufacturing in Bulgaria. But simply couldn't financially compete for post-cutting of the EU ties.

There's still a demand though if anyone can fill the organic/gluten-free niches.

Good luck out there!

 

[Klax]

Hey guys, Im currently thinking about starting a new E-Commerce store. Could people please tell me for their particular niches what the challenges they currently face are. And if so are you willing to pay to resolve it? I am probably looking to start something in the cooking and baking supplies niche but hearing other peoples challenges should be helpful.

Hiii, starting an e-commerce store can be a right pain in the arse, especially when it comes to dealing with all that data. But don't worry, there's tools out there that can make it a lot easier. I use this thing called Jasper.ai, please send me a message if you want to get a ref link, it will give you 10k words extra. This is an AI that can automate a lot of the data analysis and decision-making. But you can always have a look around and see what works best for you. And good luck with new store, the cooking and baking supplies niche sounds mint! ??Hope this helps

 

[fisicx]

@WebCider, @Lawson@CBF and @Klax, they aren’t interested in building a website. They only posted to promote their business which already sells online.

And avoid jasper.ai if SEO is part of your marketing plan. The content is junk and Google knows what you are doing.

 

[DoolallyTap]

Hey guys, Im currently thinking about starting a new E-Commerce store. Could people please tell me for their particular niches what the challenges they currently face are. And if so are you willing to pay to resolve it? I am probably looking to start something in the cooking and baking supplies niche but hearing other peoples challenges should be helpful.

This is how I started.
I am 72, not totally well and cannot continue.

May 2022, listed items on eBay for test purposes. From zero sales to almost £300 per day within 4 months.
August 2022, registered domain name, opened website via EKM, website design and first products launched on website.

September - Site fully integrated to Google Merchant Account and Google Ad Accounts set up. First run Google Ad, followed by first run Google Shopping Ad. PPC management now using Google Analytics, EKM Web Statistics and Analytics.

October - To date, Additional product categories and sub categories products listed,

 

[DoolallyTap]

Really, just ask yourself, how much money have I got to invest? and how much can I afford to loose?
As always, write your business plan and create a P/L forecast.

 

[talarion]

obviously, I'm willing to pay to solve any issues of my eCommerce store.

 

[DoolallyTap]

obviously, I'm willing to pay to solve any issues of my eCommerce store.

why has this message popped up in this thread