This is where the online business venture begins.The ecommerce business plan is a plan of action, without which nothing of real value can ever be achieved. The ecommerce business plan will cover a number of features from the design of the web site to the fulfillment service methods; each of these features should be the best available with a heavy bias towards the customer. The product, around which the whole ecommerce business plan will revolve, will have to fulfill certain criteria in order to make the online venture a success.

These are:

Homogeneity – the product, though obtained from different suppliers/sources will have to be of a homogenous quality and dimensions. Whether it is a mobile set or a book the item should be favorably comparable to the ones that are bought elsewhere. 

Ability to ship the product – before you launch your online venture you should find out whether the product can be shipped easily. This is will a daunting task if the product is bulky or very fragile. If the customer cannot get the product quickly and in tact, you will loose repeat customers and word of mouth advertising.

Cost of delivery – in similar manner heavier items will cost more to deliver to the door step than lightweight items. The cost of delivery is an important factor that decides the customer uses when deciding whether or not to buy an item. Hence, keep this cost as low as possible.

Cost of the product – many customers are attracted to the online shopping because they get many of their favorite products at a much lower cost than in the real- shops. You need to keep the cost at least 10 percent less than what is available in the brick-and-mortar market.

Availability – do you plan to have a good stock of the product that you propose to sell or do you have a good tie-up with some supplier(s) which can provide you with the product on the spot. If the product is not available easily to the customer – after the payment is processed – you will have a very unhappy customer.

Target market – think whether you need to address the needs of a certain age group, geographical area, or it is to be available for all people, all over the world.

Payment options – what type of payment options you are offering will greatly influence the sale of your product.

All these and more will have to be taken care of right at the beginning; at the stage where the ecommerce business plan is completed.

By:Kerry Ng

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Online Business Strategy & Marketing

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Technorati Tags: Business Marketing Plans, business plan, business plan internet, Business Plan Service, ecommerce, Small Business Marketing, startup business plan

Most companies have business marketing plans whether they are committed to writing or not. Yet from my experience, many of these plans are not delivering the success based upon the resources invested.

Marketing plans should be aligned to the overall strategic plan. These plans should work together with the sales plans. All efforts should be directed to increasing sales and ultimately growing the company.

To help the marketing plan move forward, maybe it needs new fuel or G.A.S.

Do you have specific marketingGoals that are consistently being monitored and measured? Many businesses employ the Spray and Pray marketing Plan. Spray it on the wall and pray it sticks. Every marketing activity should be tied to specific goals that are also aligned to the strategic plan.

What I know is that if you are a small business owner and

• Belong to at least one chamber
• Belong to at least one service organization
• Belong to at least one professional association
• Belong to at least one formal networking group

you have invested a minimum of $30,000 in marketing. This investment does not include your website, any purchased media advertisements, trade shows, etc. For every marketing activity, you should have a goal and the results from that goal.

What are the attitudes specific to marketing? Do you believe that spending money is wasteful? Maybe you believe that direct marketing does not work? At networking events, do you hang out with your friends and acquaintances and ignore meeting new potential customers?

These attitudes are the outward expression of your inner beliefs. To help increase your marketing effectiveness may also demand that you assess your attitudes toward marketing.

Finally, do you have the self leadership skills necessary for marketing success. Marketing messages must communicate your unique selling proposition within the market place. How are your written communication skills?

Marketing also demands critical thinking skills as to where should I place the next marketing advertisement for the greatest return on my investment. Time management is another necessary strong interpersonal skill especially as you run from networking event to sales meeting to trade show.

When Goals, Attitudes and Self leadership elements are leveraged together, your marketing program will be flying fast and generating the results that you need.

Author: Leanne Hoagland-Smith

Small Businesses Need Business Plans in Recession

Your business planning software won’t be there for you when you have to decide in a split second whether or not you want to truly make your customer happy.

You need a marketing plan

Having a marketing plan ensures that you constantly are attracting new leads and clients, because you’re actually marketing your business! There is no way around it – marketing is how you grow your business.

The Key to Business Success

It allows you to see your business through your investor’s eyes. As the name suggests it is a part of your business; your communication tool; selling your marketing, sales and operations.

Technorati Tags: Business Marketing Plans, GAS Up Your Business Marketing Plans, Marketing plans