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?Never over promise and under deliver ECommerce Articles | February 4 Kamil Grabara Jersey UK , 2016

Hardware Ireland?was started by Alan?and is now seen as the online presence of Expert Hardware, Crumlin. They have been serving their local area for the past 15 years from their store, but have recently taken to the internet to expand their eCommerce service!



Hi everyone, Alan?from Hardware Ireland?shares his incredible journey on SellingOnlineToday! Download Link



Some thoughts from the interview

“We’ve had a hardware store in Crumlin village Rafael Camacho Jersey UK , Expert Hardware Crumlin for the last 20 years. 6 years ago we decided that we needed to look into different avenues, generate some different income streams. Online was one that we looked closely at and to be honest initially when we looked at it we wondered how suitable it would be for a local hardware store, how much business we would actually generate from an online store. We kind of had the view that maybe as a catalogue it might be very helpful for us for bigger items instead of saying to people we can order this which would be a classic line in a hardware store as it is very difficult to carry everything. We would be able to point and say here is what we can order here, here’s what it is Caoimhin Kelleher Jersey UK , there’s the dimension, that’s the price and it will be into to you in 2 to 3 days or whatever. So as a catalogue to help our customers in store.”


“The way it has transpired is it is nearly a standalone business itself the website and with that it brings a lot of problems and a lot of extra business.”


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“Overall it is extremely beneficial but it does require a lot of attention.”


“It is an updated version. We are lucky enough that within the same premises we have Kieron who designs websites. He has nothing to do with our store as such, he just works in the same premises. It’s Kieron who looked after our website and Kieron has a great idea for detail. Best Web Design is Keiron’s business. This is the second website Kieron has built for us and it is something we are constantly updating. Like I say there is a lot of work goes into it. It’s not that you build your website leave it in a corner and off it goes generating all these sales for you.”


“A lot of energy and time and effort goes into ensuring that your product profile is right, that your images are right Curtis Jones Jersey UK , that your site is easy to shop and that products are easy to find. Unlike having a bricks and mortar store an online store requires a lot of attention.”


“We have a back office system for our Expert Hardware store but not as a standalone for the website. It doesn’t integrate with the website. We have to manually put on items. If we get a sale on the website, we then have to work that into our back office systems it wouldn’t automatically happen.”


“We do a good bit via eBay and Amazon. We generate quite a lot of business from that route. I suppose the frustrating thing of the harsh reality of it is the cost of selling, particularly Amazon, is very Nathaniel Phillips Jersey UK , very difficult so you have to have your margins right. Generating the sale is one thing, making sure you have your margins right so you’re not being a busy fool is very tricky because you have got to get it out there at a competitive price. Amazon and eBay shoppers are very savvy, know exactly what’s out there, they are looking for the best bargain out there. If the prices aren’t right you won’t sell Rhian Brewster Jersey UK , but you have got to have your margin right as well or your just not making enough money. At the end of the day if you’re not making profit your business won’t be viable for very long.”


“very competitive in getting the cost price, but your delivery costs have to be really keen. We are lucky enough with the volume we are doing, we use the an post courier service and they are giving us a very excellent service at a very good rate. It is a nearly a chicken and egg thing, you only achieve the decent rate when you get the business so you have to have the volume of business to say to them we have x amount going out per week what can you do. I would advise anyone no matter who they are using as their courier to be constantly on the phone every couple of months revising that price Alisson Becker Jersey UK , seeing if they can get an extra couple of euro over because it makes all the difference having that keen delivery price.”


“It’s great to do a bit of business abroad… but always with a view that it is profitable, that we have got our delivery costs covered.”


“At the end of the day it is about profitability and how you are making your margins on the product.”


“I do find that a lot of work goes in to eBay and Amazon customers and there can be sometimes unrealistic expectations about delivery as well even though it is clearly marked on the site or ques