The choice between an online store vs. a physical store is typically not a difficult one. If you have the budget for both, then every business owner would likely choose to have a physical location as well. However, if your revenue and customer base has been limited by your location alone, then it’s time to consider the benefits of opening up an eCommerce website such as a furniture business online.
Table of Contents
1. Find the best wholesalers first
If you want to offer a wide range of folding outdoor tables on your website, the best thing you can do is work with furniture wholesalers and buy directly from them. The problem is that wholesalers are often reluctant to deal with new businesses. Furniture falls into two main categories: wood furniture and upholstered furniture. There are plenty of wholesalers who have access to furniture in both these categories with varying product options.
However, it’s worth the extra work to find these types of sellers because the furniture you buy from them can be sold for a lot more than it would be if you had purchased it in small amounts. It also cuts down on overhead costs for your business because furniture is typically 10–25% cheaper when purchased in bulk.
2. The delivery aspect
The key to running a successful online furniture business like VidaXL folding garden chairs is figuring out how to deliver your products to customers. When you purchase furniture from a physical store, you typically do not have to worry about this step. If the furniture cannot fit in your vehicle, someone will be paid to assist with delivery and unloading. However, when you run an online business, you are responsible for the delivery aspect as well.
As you will not be able to get this type of furniture through your front door, you will require a truck for delivery. This can mean additional costs and logistical complications that must be taken into account.
3. Partnerships and awareness
One of the most important things you can do is let people know who you are. Advertising and marketing are things that can help with this, but there are also more unconventional ways. One of these involves partnerships with other companies who fit in with your own store’s niche. You have to shift this to your advantage. Just think about the number of people buying on the internet in general and products from specific stores, and then find ways to get this information into the online sphere. The easiest way is by creating a Facebook page for your company.
4. Blogging
The best way to get the word out is by creating a blog that regularly posts about what you do, how you do it, and why it’s done that way. By doing this, you are informing customers about the product or service you sell while at the same time giving them more reason to buy from you because they’ll be getting something unique and of good quality.
Final words
The main way to ensure you’re getting the exposure you need for your furniture business is by increasing your online exposure. There’s plenty of ways to do this, but simply having an online store isn’t enough. You can’t just sit back and wait for people to come to you, though that would be nice. For this reason, try to explore other methods of advertising yourself online and make people aware that your furniture store exists.
Featured Photo by Thom Bradley from Burst
