e-commerce vs the local shop

[Cymru]

I thought about renting a local premise but the rates are high, the rents are high, sure people would actually come in and chat, but specialized vodka is bit of a tricky sale where I come from, its 'dynamite vodka etc' or nothing

Without the web i don't think my business would survive, have any of you had premises and left left to focus on selling via the internet?

[djlins]

Hiya, I have worked for software development companies previouosly that couldn't afford the rent.
Perhaps because they are in the centre of London or Cambridge. But the property rental was a big reason why their overdrafts got eaten up so quickly. The owner thought the postal address was so important that it would bring the work in, but it didn't fully pay for itself.

I can see why some people still want premises, for instance your big chain stores want people to browse. How often do you go into Tesco for a loaf of bread and end up spending a tenner? If that was online, then you wouldnt see the other products and would click straight on bread, so some places justify premises.
My girlfriends dad owns a shop premises in Hackney (bought it back in 1975), and is struggling with the physical side of working now, I investigated what he can rent the shop floor and basement out at and it turned out to be £46,000 per year !!!!!
What?? Thats a hell of a rent to achieve even before you pay your staff and take a wage. It's no wonder so many shops around that way now open 24 hours, they have to try and pay the rent.

I guess I personally love the online shopping world, it is so easy to shop for anything, and then compare it to other shops prices and find the best deal. Sure there are problems, like I am still waiting for something from ebay that was sent via Royal Mail December 20th, but that is more problems with Royal Mail than online shopping. I always advise people to use other delivery companies now like City Link because Royal mail have lost about 20% of my online purchased items, and even about 10% of my recorded delivery items. They seem to magically get a signature from an unknown and the item dissapears, I meanwhile have to pay over £2.00 to get a copy of the signature I dont recognise of who ever stole my item, and there isnt that much more I can then do about it, except go through a lengthy process of prosecuting or claiming, which isn't worth my time on a £10 or £20 item.


Aaanyways - Royal Mail rant over now heheh,
my conclusion - online shopping = goooood

[musictomyears]

The problem with any premises is that you need to make good sales to cover the cost of rent/rates, otherwise the business is sure to fail. And the best premises for the business, for passing trade, etc, will probably also be in an expensive location.

It is worth considering why you need premises? If you do a lot of business mail order, then perhaps you can work out of a small back street location that won't cost you so much? However, I think an on-line store is great if you want to supplement local shop sales, or go for 100% e-commerce.

But selling on the Internet is not without its problems either. You will need to constantly review how to attract the maximum website traffic to give yourself the chance of the highest level of sales.