How to Start an Online Scrapbook Store
Approximately 4.4 million scrapbookers spent an estimated $1.65 billion on their hobby in 2009, and almost 73 percent of scrapbookers purchased supplies from online retailers, according to Scrapbooking magazine. With the abundance of potential customers surfing the Web for scrapbooking supplies, opening an online scrapbook supply store might be a lucrative business opportunity. Whether your store focuses on particular manufacturers, specific themes or just general supplies featuring the latest and greatest in scrapbook supply offerings, there are some specific steps you should take to ensure the success of your online venture.
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Instructions
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Develop a business plan. Almost all successful businesses have a plan for establishing and operating. Your plan should, at minimum, include store design, marketing information, how you plan to set your store apart from other online scrapbook stores and your goals.
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Contact your local zoning board to determine whether you need a business license or certificate of use. In some municipalities, you may need to register your business.
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Research the tax rules for your state regarding online sales. In most states, online businesses are subject to the same rules as brick-and-mortar businesses. A licensed tax professional can help make sure you have the correct permits and meet the tax requirements.
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Create space for storage and shipping. You will need a large area to store inventory and for packaging and shipping. You will also need a system for organizing and managing inventory.
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Establish wholesale purchasing agreements with scrapbook supply manufacturers or wholesalers. Each company has its own rules for working with scrapbook supply resellers, and you should follow the instructions the companies provide.
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Open a merchant services account with a credit card processing company to accept payments. Some third-party sites, such as PayPal, offer this service, or you can establish an account through your bank or an independent credit card processing company.
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Design your website. You will need to include information about the products, including photos and a shopping cart function. The store should be easy to navigate, with products easy to find. Consider adding a search function and the ability to browse products by type, price or manufacturer.
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Consider adding social features to your website. Customer reviews, wish lists and interactive customer forums and communities can help build customer loyalty and keep customers on your site longer.
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Market your store. Email campaigns and online click-through advertisements can drive traffic to your store. Consider hiring an expert in search engine optimization to help design your site to appear early in user search results.
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