Calin Cazan doesn’t think there’s much doubt that virtually every business will have to be involved at some level in selling on the Web.
“I think it’s obvious to everybody that the question is not if, but when,” observes Cazan, president of C&N Technology in Robinson Township. The company operates PittsburghCyberMall.com and provides e-commerce and Web-enhancement solutions to businesses.
Still, Cazan warns would-be Web sellers that they shouldn’t jump in without looking. Here are some of the things he suggests companies keep in mind when contemplating their entry into e-commerce:
- Offer a few items at first to test the site’s appeal and your ability to fill orders.
- If you already have a presence on the Web, you might be able to adapt it e-commerce.
- Consider the nature of what you are attempting to market. How easy is it to sell what you offer over the Web? What are the logistics of delivery and setup? Does your product require assembly or technical expertise to operate properly?
- Plan to use your site to support or complement your other marketing efforts. Accumulate a database of visitors so that you can follow up with direct mail or newsletters that offer information about other products or services.
Ray Marano
