How does a business owner determine if e-commerce is a smart solution?
There are three main things to consider: • E-commerce usually works best for a company that has an inventory. Unique items do not always work as well for e-commerce simply because of the labor involved. For example, let’s say a custom jeweler puts an individual piece on the site and then it’s gone: there’s a lot of labor without immediate replenishment. Whereas a company with a standing inventory level and the ability to reorder has a nice flowing process. • Look at cash flow and what you’ll get back from the store. Establishing and maintaining the site requires consistent funds, so make sure your products and services offset these costs. • If you’re providing something that is already available at 10 locations in your local area, that’s one thing. However, in the world of e-commerce, you’re a mom and pop ice cream shop next to a million Baskin-Robbins. If you’re determined to go online, look for some unique way to present your business. So one of the main challenges of e-commerce is c
