Solution to ebay - my own website?

[bazza123]

I was thinking about my own website to sell some of my stuff, would this be a good idea? It would mean no hassle from ebay or amazon.

Anyone had any experience with their own website cause not sure if its worth the investment.

[JamesNorth101]

I have done it myself, and so long as you can get traffic to the site it does work.
Setting it all up at first take take a long time.

You also have to accept that it will be weeks if not months before sales start coming in.

[slim jim]

Its a great idea. Keep in mind however you will still need to deal with a payment processor who can make or break you. Its easier since its not ebay but in no way is it fool proof

[danshan]

One word for you real buying traffic! Ok 3 words !

Before you waste the money time and effort make sure you can get the traffic and how you get it does not suckup your profits

[golden_monkey]

1st off you have to think why is ebay or amazon is a hassle........................

they could be a "hassle" a number of reasons....... if you think you can avoid these by going on your own, you will find out the hard way.

they are a hassle for a reason.........

[arpichelago]

I think it depends a bit on the items you sell. If you sell stuff that people like to shop around for, more impulse buy type stuff, then a website is more likely to work out well. If you sell computer parts though, people are more likely to go on Ebay to find the lowest price.

[jeffweico]

A website is an investment that pays off over time. It is not quick money by any means.

I send all of my eBay and Amazon customers a sale sheet for my website and offer a coupon for $5 good on anything on the site. I get maybe 10% of the people to look at it and maybe 3% will end up ordering from me. But they become long term customers, buying several times a year.

Payment processor is not usually a problem unless you have chargebacks. IF, that is, you are operating professionally. If you are constantly late sending out orders, answering emails, etc. then you will have many more problems.

ALWAYS USE A TRACKING NUMBER!

I get about $5k per month in sales at my website which has been around for 2 years. Profit margins are higher than on Amazon as I don't have to pay the 15% commissions.

So, if you are willing to invest the time and money and have a LONGER TERM view, then a website is an excellent idea with a good payoff. If, however, you are looking for money next week, or next month, then probably not such a good idea.

[Univerzal]

Indeed, the money "next" week thing is a rookies trap, get a website that uses a good admin interface and you will save yourself some time op, and good luck

[teedon]

Originally Posted by bazza123

I was thinking about my own website to sell some of my stuff, would this be a good idea? It would mean no hassle from ebay or amazon.

Anyone had any experience with their own website cause not sure if its worth the investment.

I think it is a good idea to build your own website ,even you also sell it on ebay or amazon.Because it is very little money for build a website,it is worthy to invest it.

[aspkin]

This goes with not putting all your eggs in one basket..

If you sell on eBay but not Amazon.. get on Amazon. If you're on Amazon and not eBay.. get on eBay! If you don't have your own website to sell your products.. set one up. It's an easy to way to make commission free sales. There are hundreds of different ways to bring traffic to your website, most free.

I started with my own eCommerce websites than I branched out to eBay and Amazon.. it's well worth it.

SixFigureBoss: Create Your Own Online Business!

[rsot]

Living proof of success = Aspkin

[GreenBean]

Good bump of an old thread too.....

keeps the topic going

[rsot]

Working on a pharma website of my own - thread inspired too

[JumpingJean]

Originally Posted by aspkin

This goes with not putting all your eggs in one basket..

If you sell on eBay but not Amazon.. get on Amazon. If you're on Amazon and not eBay.. get on eBay! If you don't have your own website to sell your products.. set one up. It's an easy to way to make commission free sales. There are hundreds of different ways to bring traffic to your website, most free.

I started with my own eCommerce websites than I branched out to eBay and Amazon.. it's well worth it.

SixFigureBoss: Create Your Own Online Business!

best ecommerce shop site to use?? Shopify?

[aspkin]

No.. I like WordPress based shopping cart plugins.. such as WooCommerce and eStore Plugin.. it also depends on your needs but WordPress based carts are very flexible and affordable.

[JumpingJean]

Originally Posted by aspkin

No.. I like WordPress based shopping cart plugins.. such as WooCommerce and eStore Plugin.. it also depends on your needs but WordPress based carts are very flexible and affordable.

never knew they did one, will have to have a look

[josh]

im making a site on godaddy websuite builder and store. Added most my inventory and descriptions, so id say im halfway there just got to get it up and running and then market it

[rsot]

Originally Posted by josh

im making a site on godaddy websuite builder and store. Added most my inventory and descriptions, so id say im halfway there just got to get it up and running and then market it

Good luck josh - you have come a long way

[Sandy D]

Originally Posted by josh

im making a site on godaddy websuite builder and store. Added most my inventory and descriptions, so id say im halfway there just got to get it up and running and then market it

Now to get traffic to your site.

[vogeltron]

If you have a small number of you own products branded products etc. Don't want to get into that entire thing.

But bigcartel has easy to set up sites for small sellers. Especially small personally branded clothing sellers etc. Not sure about everyone else.

Just food for thought.

[josh]

Originally Posted by rsot

Good luck josh - you have come a long way

thanks RSOT

[josh]

Originally Posted by Sandy D

Now to get traffic to your site.

yep, so ive heard is the "hard part"