Newcomer advice

[Stretch]

Hey all,

I have recently considered starting up my own online store. I really like the idea but don't want to commit myself until i've done the proper research. The store would be importing and selling video games, with an emphasis on special orders.

I have a partner with contacts from video games stores that have dealt with importing, and ive done some research on competition websites, so that part is covered.

My question is, are there any useful tips or resources on the business side of things, like what is needed to start one?

Thanks in advance

[Brendan]

Hey Stretch,

First of all, welcome on board!

My Company has set up a few retail stores online for businesses and it is a fairly simple setup to get started.

Since you have most of the physical stuff sorted our, i.e; stock, suppliers, knowledge etc.. you just need to focus on the online and payment side of things;

To Get started you will need;

- Web Host
- Electronic Payment Gateway - can be PayPal or a merchant account with a Bank
- Online Shopping Cart / Website
- Registered Domain
- Registered Business Name

That should be enough to get you started and up and running, then you will need to start marketing and getting your name out there!

Let me know if you want any further questions.

[Stretch]

Thanks Brendan!

I'm now getting towards the end of the planning stages and getting ready to start making things happen. One quick question though. What would be the best program to use as an inventory and invoicing system with the website?

Thanks

[Brendan]

Stretch,

Have you looked at some open source packages like osCommerce (osCommerce, Open Source Online Shop E-Commerce Solutions (http://www.oscommerce.com/)) or ZenCart (http://www.zencart.com/)?

These will have everything you need to run an online store and tie in well with a lot of merchant accounts also, they would be a great place to start and best of all they are free and have decent support.

[Carl Taylor]

Stretch congratulations on doing the planning and research parts first! You are already ahead of alot of your competition.

Brendan is right about OsCommerce and ZenCart they are great online store products the other to look at would be Joomla with Virtuemart (Joomla! (http://www.joomla.org) and VirtueMart: Your free e-commerce solution. - Welcome... (http://www.virtuemart.net))

Have you checked out the relevant websites in relation to importing and businesses as well? see Business - australia.gov.au (http://www.australia.gov.au/Business) for some useful links

Have you also given thought on how you will structure your business, as a partnership or a private company?

Something else you need to think about as well is also a succession plan/exit strategy.

If things go sour with either the business or your partner, how will you handle it?

Again congrats on doing the research! Make sure you are writing down all your information as a Business Plan.