Great Reasons to Start Doing Business on the Web
Did you know that Southeast Asians spend an average of 17.5 hours a month online reading emails, working, catching up over social networks, as well as researching and buying products and services? In fact, what you're doing right now is researching online.
The best way to turn your hobby into a full time business, or take your existing business and grow it, is to create a website and start selling online.
Check out these facts about Asia Pacific consumers buying on the web:
- According to comScores' report "2013 Southeast Asia Digital Future in Focus," 40% of global internet users are from Asia Pacific with a total audience of 644 million.
- By the end of 2014, online sales in Asia Pacific will have increased more than 36%. In North America and Western Europe, the expected growth will be only 20.2% (etc-digital.org).
- For the first time ever, Asian consumers will have spent more than US consumers by the end of 2014. The entire region will rise to a turnover of US$ 525.2 billion in the B2C e-commerce sector.
7 Benefits of Doing Business Online
There are all kinds of great reasons to start selling online. Here are just a few that it's difficult to argue with:
1. You don't need technical knowledge
You can start transacting with customers online through eBay for a fraction of your product cost per sale. Or you can build a website of your own — from a basic site to a full e-commerce site including an online shopping cart.
2. It's extremely cost effective to set up and run
With an online shopping cart your selling process becomes automated. You only need to pay for the initial set-up of the software, which means an ever increasing ROI. And if you sell something that goes out as a voucher you don't even need staff to look after packing and delivery.
3. You can reach a much wider audience
Selling online allows your business to reach a wider audience. In addition to local people, your customer base can span nationally, or even globally.
4. You can sell while you sleep
A website never closes. With a shopping cart on your site, customers can browse and buy anytime of day or night, from anywhere in the world.
5. It's easy to track what works and what doesn't
Unlike traditional sales avenues, you can get very accurate reports to see how customers found you and where they go on your website. You can also gather their contact details, location, etc. through forms that help you target new business.
6. It's cheap and easy to keep in touch with customers
You can use email newsletters and email marketing deals to connect with your existing customers and potential new customers who've given you their email address. Not only is it cheaper than traditional advertising mediums, you're more likely to get noticed in their inbox.
7. You can get your slice of the booming mobile-mania
E-Commerce in Southeast Asia is on the rise. The most significant factors for the growth of mobile online shopping in this region is the increasing connectivity and new online offerings. Generally, the use of mobile commerce in Southeast Asia markets exceeds global average.
Plus, if iPad and tablet numbers keep rising at the same rate they have over the last 2 years, it's estimated that the number of mobile devices will exceed home computers. You need a mobile website so that all these people on the move can find you.
The world is changing fast and there are great opportunities for business owners who take the leap online. Now's the time to make sure you're one of them.