Your feedback, please .....

[Mickey]

Hi All,

I'm considering setting up an online store. I make and sell jewelry, earrings mostly.

I know that ebay is helpful but I want my customers to be able to pay me with
money orders, too. Not everyone has a Paypal account. Right now I sell primarily offline
although I've had a few sales through ebay.

What I was thinking of - setting up a shopping cart site under my own domain,
then setting up an ebay store. On ebay's "Me" page, I could direct folks to my own store.

The question I have is, what shopping cart to use? I have seen folks selling shopping cart
installs on Fiverr for $5, but are they reliable?

Your opinions are greatly valued and appreciated.

Mickey

P.S. Should I allow for affiliates or not?

P.P.S. I sell digital products as well. Should that be a separate store?

[ContentWriter]

Hi Mickey!

Zen-Cart is an excellent free & open source solution for both physical and digital sales.
No need for separate stores.
More info here: http://www.zen-cart.com/

It might be just the solution you're looking for starting out. It's super easy to install with
just a few clicks through Fantastico in cPanel (if you're using a host with these features).

Snap Affiliates is a free module add-on that will allow you to have an affiliate program.
More information is available here: http://www.filterswept.com/snap-affiliates/


~Karen

[Mickey]

Hi Karen,

Thank you so much for the info!

Checking it out now ....



Mickey

[valpubs]

Hi Mickey

Congrats on your own 'shop' idea.

One thing to remember is that it's you making the earrings/jewelery, if you're overwhelmed by customer orders then that will put a strain on your time possibly leading to demands for refunds.

Having said that, I'm not sure how you can get around that. apart from putting a warning on your site that says approximately how long each piece of jewelry takes to manufacture.

I hope I haven't chucked a wrench into the gears and I believe your business will be a raging success

[ContentWriter]

putting a warning on your site that says approximately how long each piece of jewelry takes to manufacture.

Good call D!

Actually rather than a warning though, that could be reworded to make it a positive selling point.

Such as, "Each item is unique and hand-crafted just for you. Please allow x days/weeks for your order to arrive"

~Karen

[padre]

That's the biggest juggling act for a crafts-person . . . how to keep from becoming a cog in your own machine.  Karen's idea is a must.  Another way to slow orders (w/o losing income) is raise prices.

Are you casting or fabricating the pieces?  If casting then you can make your own molds and sell each piece as a series (limited number or not).  As long as you make the mold and cast the waxes then the artistic integrity remains intact.

Be sure to let us know when the store goes live . . .

Cheers

[Mickey]

Hi Mickey

Congrats on your own 'shop' idea.

One thing to remember is that it's you making the earrings/jewelery, if you're overwhelmed by customer orders then that will put a strain on your time possibly leading to demands for refunds.

Having said that, I'm not sure how you can get around that. apart from putting a warning on your site that says approximately how long each piece of jewelry takes to manufacture.

I hope I haven't chucked a wrench into the gears and I believe your business will be a raging success

Thank you!

I did think briefly about supply and demand - I have a part-time job, 28 to 38 hrs weekly,
so I do have the time to commit to this. Also, if I need additional help, I have a friend
in the same position - not enough hours and too little pay. This is the reason I started
making jewelry. I have seen the success that other folks have with this. As well, the
demand for jewelry is always there. It's also very inexpensive to ship.

I've been asked by my offline customers if I have an online store. They don't want to wait
until I have the time to bring my wares around - they want to shop at their leisure.

As Karen so wisely put it, "Each item is unique and hand-crafted just for you. Please allow x days/weeks for your order to arrive"
Thanks for that, Karen! I'll be sure to use it.

Padre is right. I can't price my items too low or I'll not be able to keep up. It has to be
worth my time or it just ain't worth the effort.

I don't cast my own pieces. This may be something I could consider at a later date.
I'm trying to keep my costs low right now.

Thanks so much for your input!

[ContentWriter]

Do not ask the Lord to guide your footsteps.
if you are not willing to move your feet.

I just noticed your sig Mickey.
Amen!

As with all, I wish you the best and for your success!
~Karen

[Jim Burney]

What an excellent thread this has turned out to be.

We can always learn something everyday.

I just noticed your sig Mickey.
Amen!

Seconded, no link either!

Jim

[Mickey]

Thank you, Karen and Jim.

I often prayed that my financial situation
would improve, but never really "moved my feet."

Sure, I sent off resume after resume but only received
replies from minimum wage positions. I already have one of
those. I'd like more hours and that made me think.
At times I can make minimum wage or better from home.
So, why not improve on that, instead of busting my arse
for a position that limits what I can earn? I'd rather
work hard for myself and reap all of the rewards.

As well, I've been trying to build better relationships
with my loved ones. I get so busy at times that my
family and friends don't often hear from me. With
this as well, praying for guidance is good but I need
to act, too. "God helps those that help themselves."

Jim, that link will be coming soon. 


Mickey