Online sales refer to all kinds of commercial transactions over the internet. Thus, although it is generally used to describe the marketing of products through an online store, there are many alternatives when creating your e-commerce.
There are many types of eCommerce, depending on the axis of analysis that we choose. It is usually classified according to the target customer, being able to find B2B stores (sale between businesses), BSC (sale of business to final consumer), hybrid (merger of B2B and B2C), B2G (sale of business to institution, Government or administration) or C2C (transactions between individuals).
Another typical classification, less common but simpler, is the one that takes into account the approach to online sales. With it we can distinguish companies that sell physically or traditionally but also offer online sales (Brick & Click) and those that only sell online (100% Click).
This, which seems like a very theoretical approach, is an important issue when starting to build an online store since, at least, it allows us to assess between very different alternatives. Within each of them, it is also important to know that there are many types of stores and, although our product a priori seems impossible to sell online, it is highly likely that someone is already doing it. Therefore, it is advisable to carry out an investigation in this regard and discover the eCommerce classes that exist: analog products, digital products, services, etc.
ways to sell online
The relevance of online sales is growing for all types of businesses. In addition to an increase in purchases (especially in the last year), user adoption is increasing. But in addition, users buy more frequently.
This is because shopping habits are changing, if they have not already done so in your sector:
- Online shopping is a convenience purchase.
- There is a wide range, with hardly any physical barriers.
- Usually, the price is lower than in traditional stores.
- There is growing trust, as the system has matured.
- Communication is very fluid and the consumer is exposed to many opinions or recommendations that he trusts.
- Online advertising is becoming more common and effective.
Both the purchasing habits and the relevance of eCommerce give us an idea of the entity that can acquire this form of sale in our business. If we add to this the different types of online store that we can create, it is not difficult to find a way for our sector, business or company.
But we are missing an important part, How do we make money with online sales? Here again, we have multiple alternatives:
- Advertising.
- online retail.
- Sale of services.
- Broking.
- Subscription.
- Membership.
- eLearning.
- etc.
Alternatives in online sales
Like any business adventure, eCommerce needs certain requirements to be successful: target audience, shopping experience, business model and objectives. In addition, an online store has its own “secrets” to function, such as content management, quality images, user experience and other issues that must be taken into account.
Although it is possible that we have a preconceived idea to start selling on the internet, it is convenient to know the different alternatives that are presented to us. Not only do we have the option to create our own store, but there are many ways to sell products online that can be combined or used exclusively.
To choose the right one, you must know the search habits of the target audience, which are consumers who are not going (necessarily) to go directly to our online store to buy our products. These users may be looking for what they need in marketplacescorporate websites, search engines, comparators, forums, blogs, offer aggregators or, of course, physical stores.
Seeing the trend and the wide possibilities, the question is, when do you start?