Where to start ?

[pancake]

Please can you help me with where to start with my new web site.

I have spent a lot of time over the past few weeks sourcing drop ship suppliers and setting up my web site from scratch. I now want some customers.

I have googled to try to find places where I can link from and begin to build an effective promotional strategy for my site, but so far I either get free listings with a catch, or sites where I have to pay.

Please can I have some sound advice on where to go next, and if I have to pay, then what are the mose effective ways of spending my promotional budget.

Many Thanks

[TWD-Tony]

Well - You don't actually mention WHAT your are selling?
Maybe if we knew more then we could help more

[pancake]

Yes, sorry, didn't want it to sound like I was getting a plug in !

Initially I will be selling toys, games, PC and other accessories such as ipod cases, as well as some household goods. I also plan to introduce novelty goods - neon signs, furry dustbins etc over the next month or so. May move into more electricals too as time goes on.

Thanks

[studio]

Off hand, I would suggest a small test PPC (pay per click) campaign on google adwords ( http://adwords.google.com ). This is easy enough to start yourself. PPC can bring almost immediate results. If your test campaign works then you have a lot of hard work ahead of you expanding your keywords within google and then starting similiar campaigns on the other major search engines.

Another good idea might be to start selling on Ebay. Opening an "Ebay Store" is relatively easy and may be well worth your while. However, there is massive competition on ebay for most of your stated items.

Both of the above will cost you but the amounts will be relatively small to start with.

Could we perhaps get a look at the website itself?

What is the size of your budget?

Where do you hope to find most of your customers? UK? USA? other...

[pancake]

Studio, Thanks for your suggestions. I know there is a lot of competition out there, but am trying to compete on price.

My site address is [url]www.topknack.com[url], and is a few days off being ready for customers. I am based in the UK and initially am only interested in UK customers.

The ebay store sounds very appealing and something I will seriously consider, as it is directly linked with products a customer is looking for.

I have heard one or two scare stories about google ppc, is it really a reliable way of attracting customers ?

What about emailing local companies and trying to network that way, or am I likely to get my address blacklisted for spamming ?

Thanks

[bizNorthEast.co.uk]

its not illegal to send emails to companies only individuals. I would only send emails to businesses that are interested in the products you sell. Most emails get ignored or deleted anyway. Maybe it would be better to go in person to these places.

[JasMate]

Yeah you should look at partnering with review sites & other similar sites to yours, maybe even some banner exchanges.

[cappsie]

Hi

This site doesn't deal with drop shipping, at least I don't think, but they have many overseas contacts with an online product listing with the relevant company names - http://www.alibaba.com/

My friend made a fair few quid selling mobiles phones this way.

You will be buying in bulk however.

[sharpendtraining]

The link given is indicated "shop now closed..."

[cappsie]

Originally Posted by sharpendtraining

The link given is indicated "shop now closed..."

Please explain ?