Be Your Own Boss: How To Startup Your e-Commerce Business

The traditional cost of developing an e-Commerce site is so large that most small businesses are unable to afford one. And then follows the cost of successfully marketing the existence of such site, which is also quite expensive. So what’s your best option?

Own a shop online!

There are a couple of e-Commerce sites that now serve as online marketplaces where buying and selling is done between individual buyers and sellers or corporate buyers and sellers. These online marketplaces are designed to showcase your goods like you would normally do in a physical store. They have huge marketing budgets that allows them reach as many people both online and offline.

A typical example and the pioneer of such online marketplaces is eBay –the world’s largest online marketplace. The success story of several eBay merchants/sellers who turned millionaires as a result of trading on the eBay platform is enough proof that owning a shop online works. eBay has its branches in so many countries worldwide, but not yet in Nigeria.

Fortunately, there is an eBay clone now in Nigeria and it’s currently the largest online marketplace for buying and selling the smart way –it’s called Kaymu. The parent company; Rocket Internet is known worldwide as the leading e-Commerce incubators and have successfully started over 50 internet-based ventures worldwide. As a matter of fact, the eBay clone they started in Germany did so well that eBay couldn’t help but buy it over!

 ecommerceTo show you how big Kaymu is, even Jumia currently the largest online retail site has a shop on Kaymu. Recognizing this business opportunity, I decided to give it a shot last month and opened up the online version of my boutique business on Kaymu. Guess what? I sold 3 shoes within the first week I listed them on Kaymu auctions and have sold another 3 more using the fixed price selling options. That’s a total of 6 shoes in one month, not bad for a start!

Here’s How Kaymu Works For Sellers/Merchants

  • A seller lists an item [new or old] on Kaymu for FREE, almost anything from smart phones to laptop accessories, books to rare coins, etc.
  • The seller chooses to accept only bids for the item [an auction-type listing] or to offer the “Fixed price” option, which allows buyers to purchase the item right away at a fixed price.
  • In an online auction, the bidding opens at a price the seller specifies and remains on Kaymu for a certain number of days. Buyers then place bids on the item. When the listing ends, the buyer with the highest bid wins and gets the item.
  • In a “Fixed price” listing, the first buyer willing to pay the seller’s price gets the item.
  • Arrange with the buyer a suitable delivery option such as; shipping, physical pickup or payment on delivery = sales!

Here’s How To Own A Shop Online FREE Using Kaymu

There are 2 options you can start from depending on your preference.

First, if you are a retailer who already buys and sells offline through a physical shop, Kaymu is simply your online shop to showcase what you are selling already offline. If you fall into this category, Click here to sign up for a FREE online shop That’s what I did with my boutique business since I already own a physical store where I sell unisex clothing for male, female and kids. Visit the MADphilips shop online and do patronize us.  We have the lowest prices for smartphones!

Second, if you don’t own a shop offline and would like to take advantage of this opportunity by selling other people’s goods online through the Kaymu platform, follow the steps below.

  • Click here to sign up for a FREE online shop
  • Decide any product [new or fairly used] of your choice that you would like to sell on your online shop
  • Look for a company [manufacturer], store or seller around you who would like to increase their sales [trust me, everyone does]
  • Introduce yourself as an internet marketer who can help them sell more via the internet through your online shop
  • Negotiate a discount on the product[s] so that you can make a profit selling them on your online shop
  • Take clear pictures of the product[s] with a phone or camera to display on your online shop
  • Head over to your online shop and list the product[s], the pictures and their prices so potential buyers can contact you directly via email or phone
  • Arrange with the buyer a suitable delivery option such as; shipping, physical pickup or payment on delivery = sales!

Your Turn

Head over to Kaymu and click on the register link to claim your shop online, FREE!

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