Storefront Websites: Are Storefront Websites Feasible?

This post was written by Internet Marketing John on March 24, 2010
Posted Under: Home Based Internet Business

Storefront websites are feasible on the Internet and generally do quite well when properly maintained.

When a customer comes into your shop, browses through your inventory, picks up and inspects items, looks over storefront1your prices, and finally decides to take one of your products to the register and purchase it; you have the essence of a storefront business.

If you want to sell your products online in storefront websites, your website must be enabled for e-commerce and will need to have the following characteristics:

  • Storefront websites must replicate a storefront business and provide detailed descriptions of product sizes, colors, dimensions, and comparisons with similar products.
  • Storefront websites must allow customers to select their product, get clear prices and shipping charges on the product, and complete the sale transaction.  Customers must be able to get an order number, an invoice, and an email confirmation for their purchase.
  • Storefront websites must allow their customers to select their own method of shipment, and have the various shipping costs and variables readily available for comparison.
  • Storefront websites should always tell the customer if their item is in stock or if it will be back ordered.  Telephone assistance, live chat, or email assistance should be available 24/7 to answer shipping questions.
    There is specialized software available to storefront websites, to help provide immediate customer responses, with your own live chat or help desk service.
  • Your customer service links should be prominent and clearly marked.  Your customer should never need to search for a way to contact you for information about anything.
  • Storefront websites, like any conventional storefront business, should provide customers with all of their storefront policies.
    An “about us” page should clearly display your privacy statement, guarantees, warranties, and customer satisfaction policies.   You could also provide a FAQ section with information about your return policies, shipping prices, and any additional insurance charges if required.
    Customers feel more secure shopping on storefront websites with these policies clearly outlined.
  • It’s always a good idea to display any emails or quotes from satisfied customers on your storefront website.  People always like to know about other people that are happy with your products and service.
  • Many storefront websites also offer printed catalogs to their customers, in addition to their online catalogs.
    Many customers prefer to order a printed catalog from your storefront website, and then do their shopping in the privacy of their own homes.
  • Update your storefront websites and add new product content frequently, so that returning customers don’t get bored seeing the same products they looked at six months ago.
  • Lastly, don’t irritate your customers by displaying products that are marked ‘SOLD’, or web pages that are ‘COMING SOON’ or ‘UNDER CONSTRUCTION’.

If your product is sold, take it off your web page!

If a page is under construction or is coming soon, construct it and upload it instead of talking about it!

Depending on the product or service being sold, storefront websites are not only feasible, they generally do better than conventional storefront businesses.

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