Firstly, Welcome. This Blog is going to run through how to sell products and services on the Internet. Im going to write it in a way that could apply to either physical items, digital goods, or services. I am also making the assumption that what you are wanting to sell is NOT a one off item, it is something that you aim to sell over and over again, either by buying the item or manufacturing it yourself or by providing a service.
There are several different distinct types of people who sell on the Internet and my aim is to cover most of them over the next few months. Although not all in the first post. You'll have to read through the descriptions to figure out which type you are, then look at how you can benefit from selling online and how to make it work for you.
Product Types: There are pretty much only two different types of product. Tangible and in-tangible. Tangible goods, are typically physical items which could be sent via the mail. In-tangible goods include digital products, like music and software, but also service related products, eg VOIP calling, or tax accounting.
There are only a few major things that ALL businesses have in common, regardless of size, location, what they do, or how they do it, and the biggest is this:
They have to sell something. And to sell something, implies that you need to have somthing to sell. Make sense? Selling is not a dirty word, and you can be pretty sure that any business that advertises itself as "no selling" is either kidding themselves or they are trying to kid you.
Selling is simply the process by which goods or services are turned into cash. Hopefully more cash than it cost to get/create the item that was sold. Selling, traditionally, is hard to do. You have to find a person who needs/wants what it is that you have, then you need to convince them of its value, they have to have available funds to purchase and finally there has to be the facility to make the transaction. Unless all these points are fulfilled, the transaction will fail.
The Internet is a tool, that can be adapted for a wide range of uses. Specifically, what I will talk about is how to use the internet as a selling tool.
So looking at the example above, there are some items that are essential to being able to sell online. These are:
1.A means to obtain something that has value to others, and you are prepared to sell
2.A means of finding someone who wants what it is that you are selling
3.A means of describing the items value to the potential buyer.
4.A means to deliver the product
5.A means to receive payment.
Now when I say in #1, "a means to obtain", this is because you could be selling something that you have made yourself, or you are reselling, or you are providing a service, it really depends on your item.
There are "analog" ways to do these things and there are "digital" ways. For example, the analog way to find a buyer, is to use an ad in a newspaper. The digital way is to use online advertising like 'adwords', a banner, or just a listing in a directory. There is no right or wrong way, just different. Some may cost more, some less, some be easier or faster etc. The trick is to "Test & Measure". Test and Measure is where you try different methods to see which ones work the best.
So if you are wanting to sell online, you need to be able to cover these 5 areas as best you can.
#1 - product
#2 - find buyer
#3 - describe value
#4 - deliver product
#5 - receive payment
The Internet is a tool, that can be adapted for a wide range of uses. Specifically, what I will talk about is how to use the internet as a selling tool.
So looking at the example above, there are some items that are essential to being able to sell online. These are:
1.A means to obtain something that has value to others, and you are prepared to sell
2.A means of finding someone who wants what it is that you are selling
3.A means of describing the items value to the potential buyer.
4.A means to deliver the product
5.A means to receive payment.
Now when I say in #1, "a means to obtain", this is because you could be selling something that you have made yourself, or you are reselling, or you are providing a service, it really depends on your item.
There are "analog" ways to do these things and there are "digital" ways. For example, the analog way to find a buyer, is to use an ad in a newspaper. The digital way is to use online advertising like 'adwords', a banner, or just a listing in a directory. There is no right or wrong way, just different. Some may cost more, some less, some be easier or faster etc. The trick is to "Test & Measure". Test and Measure is where you try different methods to see which ones work the best.
So if you are wanting to sell online, you need to be able to cover these 5 areas as best you can.
#1 - product
#2 - find buyer
#3 - describe value
#4 - deliver product
#5 - receive payment
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