As others have pointed out, it all depends on the type of the business and
what you're trying to sell (type of product or service).
Think of it in terms of the customer experience - say you want to buy a pair
of shoes. Customers would want to have a look, compare, talk to someone
knowledgeable, try various pairs on, etc. Buying online is possible and
Zappos have proved it very well, but the customer experience is very
different.
Therefore running a store front can be a very different business from selling
mostly online.
That being said, a lot of companies have a store front and a website.
As others have pointed out, it all depends on the type of the business and what you're trying to sell (type of product or service).
Think of it in terms of the customer experience - say you want to buy a pair of shoes. Customers would want to have a look, compare, talk to someone knowledgeable, try various pairs on, etc. Buying online is possible and Zappos have proved it very well, but the customer experience is very different.
Therefore running a store front can be a very different business from selling mostly online.
That being said, a lot of companies have a store front and a website.
I agree with the other advice. These days you can get away with solely an
internet presence if your business model thrives off of that kind of
demographic. If you are selling ice cream, your better off investing in a
physical space for obvious reasons. Can't hurt to have both if you feel it is
a good investment, especially since setting up an e-commerce site is so cost
effective and intuitive these days...good luck to you!
A brick and mortar store also can be valuable depending on which demographic
you are targeting. Often the foot traffic we gain from our business store
front is not connected online or prefers to do business in person. Also a
store front is another advertising/branding opportunity because you can hang
a sign and use the store front windows as AD space.
BizResearcher | Window Shopper |
4/3/2012 - 12:48 am
It depends on what you are selling. Some products sell best in a brick and
mortar setting. Other products can be sold over the internet and reach a
wider market. If you were looking for your product, where would you look,
online or at a store?
creativemediaweb | Window Shopper |
7/13/2012 - 4:47 am
Show Replied Text…
It depends on what you are selling. Some products sell best in a brick and mortar setting. Other products can be sold over the internet and reach a wider market. If you were looking for your product, where would you look, online or at a store?
It depends on the time I'm searching and also the product. If its off hours,
I would search online but would visit the store the next day to see it in
person. There is still something to see and feel the tangible item. Online
shopping is great but you cannot feel it, smell it, or touch it before you
order. Everything is based on the online product shot.
I am actually contemplating a retail store lease now. I currently have an
online businesses which I run out of an office space I lease and would like
to reach out locally and thought having a retail store may be what I need to
do. I have to read more posts here about whether this would be advantageous
for me to do in the location I am in.
clevertim | Window Shopper | 8/11/2012 - 12:13 pm
what you're trying to sell (type of product or service).
Think of it in terms of the customer experience - say you want to buy a pair
of shoes. Customers would want to have a look, compare, talk to someone
knowledgeable, try various pairs on, etc. Buying online is possible and
Zappos have proved it very well, but the customer experience is very
different.
Therefore running a store front can be a very different business from selling
mostly online.
That being said, a lot of companies have a store front and a website.
SolaceLaw | Window Shopper | 8/13/2012 - 1:01 am
internet presence if your business model thrives off of that kind of
demographic. If you are selling ice cream, your better off investing in a
physical space for obvious reasons. Can't hurt to have both if you feel it is
a good investment, especially since setting up an e-commerce site is so cost
effective and intuitive these days...good luck to you!
JPHALL | Window Shopper | 8/11/2012 - 12:17 am
you are targeting. Often the foot traffic we gain from our business store
front is not connected online or prefers to do business in person. Also a
store front is another advertising/branding opportunity because you can hang
a sign and use the store front windows as AD space.
rpgreviewer | Window Shopper | 8/1/2012 - 10:32 am
Facebook apps that show people local business by GPS cords.
BizResearcher | Window Shopper | 4/3/2012 - 12:48 am
mortar setting. Other products can be sold over the internet and reach a
wider market. If you were looking for your product, where would you look,
online or at a store?
creativemediaweb | Window Shopper | 7/13/2012 - 4:47 am
I would search online but would visit the store the next day to see it in
person. There is still something to see and feel the tangible item. Online
shopping is great but you cannot feel it, smell it, or touch it before you
order. Everything is based on the online product shot.
I am actually contemplating a retail store lease now. I currently have an
online businesses which I run out of an office space I lease and would like
to reach out locally and thought having a retail store may be what I need to
do. I have to read more posts here about whether this would be advantageous
for me to do in the location I am in.
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