Why Do I Want an Online Store?

Online stores are incredibly powerful. They can provide a broader range of products than many entrepreneurs can afford to carry in a storefront. You can reach more people—not just in your town, but across the globe, especially if you carry a niche product. And best of all, it costs much less to operate an online store than a traditional brick-and-mortar store. In this case, your investment is not in a lease, utilities, signage, and window dressing, but rather in technology, secure processing, and marketing.

In my mind, however, the real advantage of your online store is that it is a low-commitment venture. You can get it up and running very quickly—and add products as you go. You don’t have to sign your life away for a five-year lease and insurance; you can have it up and running in a couple of days with a few products, and then keep adding to it so that it grows organically. It is ideal for the business owner who wants to start out small and grow the store as the business makes more money.