CCTV Online shop Owners..

[SecurityFusion]

Hi all id just like some advice about online CCTV shops iv been working on my shop for over 2 months adding items and geting it all running nice, Ill be opeing the shop in about a month as im about to do a stock order.

I just thort id post & ask for any tips & what shall i expect to go wroung when i open & what i shold make suar i have in place when i open?

[pakatak]

How competitive this online market place is one of the main things to consider, there are now lots and lots of online CCTV suppliers, all offering pretty much the same products so it's a tough market to break into and pick up a decent share.

Having said that I wish you the best of luck.

[B2BCCTV]

If we cannot see it, how can we give you advice?

[Henry]

Well the first thing I'd do is have a good check of the spelling on your site. Nothing smacks of an amateur set up than poor English. Get loads of people to go on and pull it to pieces, run trial orders and so on.


Then just sit back and wait for the cash to roll in.



Good luck.

Henry

[iStorm]

The problem with online shops these days and all these people that are getting into it is that hardly any of them know how to install, set up a dvr, what types of lenses there are and so on, all MOST people know is that its a product most import from china and then try and sell on Ebay or there shop! What happens if the purchaser needs some installation tips, or help fault finding........ what happens then? You need very good product awareness, some installation experience is a must imo.... I think Henry's advise is spot on about the site, test and test and re test! Then maybe go on a couple of one or two day installation courses, believe me they will come good in the end! If you are serious about a course drop me an email.

[pakatak]

Originally Posted by iStorm

The problem with online shops these days and all these people that are getting into it is that hardly any of them know how to install, set up a dvr, what types of lenses there are and so on, all MOST people know is that its a product most import from china and then try and sell on Ebay or there shop!

Yes, this is the case with some (especially many ebayers) but there are also many online companies who have been in the business for many years, know their products very well and offer excellent pre and post sales support.

A key test is are the company you are about to purchase from available on the telephone? Have you spoken to them about their products and asked advice etc - you will be able to work out if they know their stuff very quickly indeed and the good ones will tell you if you are looking at the wrong products and recommend the correct kit for you (even if they do not stock what you need).

[iStorm]

Originally Posted by pakatak

Yes, this is the case with some (especially many ebayers) but there are also many online companies who have been in the business for many years, know their products very well and offer excellent pre and post sales support.

A key test is are the company you are about to purchase from available on the telephone? Have you spoken to them about their products and asked advice etc - you will be able to work out if they know their stuff very quickly indeed and the good ones will tell you if you are looking at the wrong products and recommend the correct kit for you (even if they do not stock what you need).

Pakatak is spot on, and may i add that in no way was I emplying that Pakatak was one of these companies in fact far from it! We have had equipment of you guys in theh past, very good quality, and so are a lot of other companies good at what they do im not going to go on a plug list..... If all you are doing is selling products without any product awareness or installation/tech experiance you are going to fall down....

[nicksix]

As an end user I think both istorm and Pakatak are right in that i'd expect someone who sold me something to have at least a reasonable knowledge about the CCTV equipment he/she was supplying. When i first kitted out my mobile unit i forget/wouldn't like to guess the amount of times i phoned my supplier up. I started to feel sorry for him in the end....

[pakatak]

Originally Posted by iStorm

Pakatak is spot on, and may i add that in no way was I emplying that Pakatak was one of these companies in fact far from it! We have had equipment of you guys in theh past, very good quality, and so are a lot of other companies good at what they do im not going to go on a plug list..... If all you are doing is selling products without any product awareness or installation/tech experiance you are going to fall down....

Totally agree Istorm, product awareness and customer service is key. I also agree that there are definitely a growing number of companies springing up out of nowhere without the experience to really help customers with what they need.

[Henry]

I think one of the key points raised is to give the people you are thinking of buying from a call on the telephone (assuming they have a number on their website !!).

It's all too easy to knock up a slick looking website using someone else's photos and a few cheesy words. Much harder to back them up over the phone if you haven't got a clue what you're doing!

Keep smiling everyone

Henry