BUS INESS
the new face of business
By Story Sheidow
Gone are the days when brick and mortar storefronts were the only way to do business. In an exceedingly diversified marketplace, the face of business is reinventing itself.
Craft Fairs and Market Booths
E-Commerce
E-commerce business structures ranging from Etsy, Shopify, and Big Cartel to more basic, ad-based sites such as Kijiji or EBay are great for rural-based businesses wanting an expanded marketplace. The beauty of e-commerce is that your shop is open 24/7, at no additional cost to you. E-commerce offers a wide geographical reach regardless of where you live, and sites are easy to build both from scratch or integrated into your existing website. With online shops you have the ability to fully educate the customer on the product, publish reviews and tutorials, and offer promotions, all from the comfort of your own home.
The resurgence of market stands and craft fairs has proven one thing: customers love to put a face to a brand. Fairs and markets offer a built-in customer base, and tend to be much busier than the more “traditional” shopping centres. This gives vendors the opportunity to test out new products and work in smaller quantities. These types of markets also offer vendors a built-in network of like-minded, fellow small business owners. It’s a great opportunity for swapping insight, experiences, and business techniques specific to your region and selling style. The only downfall of this option could be the seasonal aspect and your reliance on similar businesses to attract customers.
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www.pei-living.ca FALL 2018
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