March 3, 2007
The Beauty of Virtual Storefronts
Posted by rishi
In a city that never sleeps, is it any surprise that all-night shopping would be added to the list of things to do? New York City is home to Time Square, The Statue of Liberty, and a giant 24-hour Apple store. Located on famed Fifth Avenue, this store that never rests pulls tourists and locals in with its clean-cut futuristic design and hot commodities, such as colorful i-Pods and sleek notebooks. Simply put, their open all day, everyday concept helps to expand their target market reach, resulting in a possible increase of sales.
The idea of offering 24-hour service may be appealing, but it is not a cheap business practice. Owners must handle issues, such as increasing staff size and paying for the constant use of utilities. For a major corporation, like Apple, Inc., cost may not be a major issue. Smaller businesses, though, do not have it that easy.
E-commerce solutions offer fledgling shops an option similar to Apple’s 24/365 approach, virtual shopping sites. Creating an on-line store allows a business owner to present their products to a wider consumer base, minus the high costs. Virtual storefronts are always open for business, allowing shoppers to view merchandise at their convenience. Customers do not necessarily have to be local to the business, though. Internet shops are given the opportunity to reach an international market.
In the end, creating virtual storefronts benefits small businesses in two main ways:
1. Increased product visibility, as well as overall company name promotion.
2. Improved chances of raising company profit.
