Newbie - Do people buy laptops online?

[sharpturn]

Warriors,


I'm looking for a new niche to try out for getting a couple sales in for Christmas. I have already knocked out a bunch of Squidoo lenses on home theater equipment, (not sure how that's gonna go).

So now I was thinking about laptops.
As a newbie do you think I would be up against too much competition?

Or do you think selling laptops online in general is not a good idea for a newbie?

I just want to try out some physical products for now and see how I get on for Christmas.

Any advice?


Andy

[dotnetguru]

First, where would you be getting your laptops from and is your profit margin high enough for the competition that's out there?

[SEAHAT]

Hi Andy...

Seems to me that selling laptops would be a fairly big undertaking especially for the holidays where you'll be competing not only with Dell, Sony and HP but also Target, Costco and that GIANT we all know as WALMART!

You could BLOG about technology but if the thought is to earn money for 2009 Holidays then I think you are not only up against massive competition but you are already behind schedule (the holiday decor is already out and it's not even Halloween!).

However, since this year's holidays will likely be more challenging for families this year with the economic situation such that it is... you might find some really cool way to tap into the market with less expensive but still high value gift giving solutions. Or, stay away from gifts but work with stuff that people use to celebrate or decorate with - maybe even an ebook on how to actually set up a synchronized light and music display on one's home... hmmmm.....

[liban]

The answer to the question in your title is "yes", however. People definitely buy computers online. And Dell has an affiliate program - or they used to.

[FriendlyRob]

Don't think of it as competition.

Get yourself set up with commission junction and sign up with their affiliates who sell laptops.

I haven't done any keyword research in this area so I can't comment on whether or not you would be successful but what I will say is...

Since you can't beat them, join them.

[mrnightowl]

Sony has an affiliate program.. at last check was around $250 per sale

[Daniel Brock]

Originally Posted by mrnightowl

Sony has an affiliate program.. at last check was around $250 per sale

Laptop niche is very competitive. I'm sure the laptop niche is on the mind of every affiliate marketer when they first get started.

I'm not saying it isn't possible - but it will be some months before you make any sales I'm wiling to bet.

[Slin]

Is it really competitive? I bet you could do just fine bro.

I have bought most of my laptops online. In fact the laptop I have now was bought over amazon.

[mrnightowl]

Originally Posted by Daniel Brock

Laptop niche is very competitive. I'm sure the laptop niche is on the mind of every affiliate marketer when they first get started.

I'm not saying it isn't possible - but it will be some months before you make any sales I'm wiling to bet.

I agree but usually the commission is high enough that you can offer free stuff. People see "FREE" and sometimes they'll buy just because they get something free with it.

Have people register on your list before they can get the buy from Sony or whoever your a aff with and drop ship something like a $50 mp3 player or a laptop case or extra battery as a gift if they buy a laptop from that company through you,..

Everyone has their own way but it has worked for me. I'm not gonna get into how you do this but its not that hard.

[sharpturn]

I was actually thinking of selling them through Amazon but it seems there are better companies to work with. I just picked Amazon because I have got used to working with their site although I know the commission sucks.

Some of you say go for it and some of you say don't bother it's too much hassle. Maybe I will just pick one computer and concentrate on just that...do you think that would be better than trying to sell many laptops at once?

That's if I do it.

Andy

[Daniel Brock]

Originally Posted by mrnightowl

I agree but usually the commission is high enough that you can offer free stuff. People see "FREE" and sometimes they'll buy just because they get something free with it.

Have people register on your list before they can get the buy from Sony or whoever your a aff with and drop ship something like a $50 mp3 player or a laptop case or extra battery as a gift if they buy a laptop from that company through you,..

Everyone has their own way but it has worked for me. I'm not gonna get into how you do this but its not that hard.

You know, that is a really good idea. While I am not in the laptop niche, nor plan to be, this could work pretty well for practically any niche with high commission

[sharpturn]

Originally Posted by mrnightowl

I agree but usually the commission is high enough that you can offer free stuff. People see "FREE" and sometimes they'll buy just because they get something free with it.

Have people register on your list before they can get the buy from Sony or whoever your a aff with and drop ship something like a $50 mp3 player or a laptop case or extra battery as a gift if they buy a laptop from that company through you,..

Everyone has their own way but it has worked for me. I'm not gonna get into how you do this but its not that hard.

This sounds like a good idea but I'm a newbie and not experienced in any of these areas you mentioned. I don't have a list and I don't know what dropshipping is..lol.

Thanks anyway.

Andy

[mrnightowl]

Originally Posted by sharpturn

I was actually thinking of selling them through Amazon but it seems there are better companies to work with. I just picked Amazon because I have got used to working with their site although I know the commission sucks.

Some of you say go for it and some of you say don't bother it's too much hassle. Maybe I will just pick one computer and concentrate on just that...do you think that would be better than trying to sell many laptops at once?

That's if I do it.

Andy

In my opinion if I was just starting out selling stuff online I would start small. Work at getting all the aspects of a website together that receives traffic on its own. Then build from their. In a years time you could have a site that specializes in nothing but laptop traffic. This type of marketing though I always keep as a "extra" source and build it up over time instead of jumping in building a site and advertising the *$@K out of it. But thats just my opinion. I'm a long term person not a short term one.

Drop shipping is when you purchase/sell products from another company and have them shipped directly to your customer instead of being shipped to you then to your customer.

[Adam Curry]

Laptop niche is way too competitive bro. It'll be hard especially if you're a newbie. My first advice to you is to study heaps on keywords and how they work online. Then maybe write a few articles to see if you are able to get them ranked on first page of google. IF you can do that than go ahead with the laptop niche

[sharpturn]

Originally Posted by acur042

Laptop niche is way too competitive bro. It'll be hard especially if you're a newbie. My first advice to you is to study heaps on keywords and how they work online. Then maybe write a few articles to see if you are able to get them ranked on first page of google. IF you can do that than go ahead with the laptop niche

Thanks everyone.

Actually I think I do ok with my keyword researching. Most of the stuff I put out are on pages 1 to 3 on the chosen phrase. Not sure if that's good enough to hit laptops or whatever. I'm learning something daily.

Andy

[tomw]

Forget building a list as an affiliate in this sector. Laptops purchases are one-offs and more skewed towards the impulse end of the scale, albeit researched and the research is often part of the actualisation/gratification/validation. Nobody wants to develop a relationship about them *UNLESS* signing up with you will give them a discount code - instantly - not after days or weeks of CRM comms.

If you are determined to sell them as an affiliate try PPC/Search/SEO marketing based on model numbers which are "absolute" buying keywords.

Buy hey, there are far easier way to make a buck online.

Tom

[Intrepreneur]

I'll encourage you.

Go for it.

Pick your keywords and put the work into it.

You'll thank yourself.

Encouragement Complete.

Over and Out!

[Kritesh]

And if you do decide to do it. Write a log recording your progress. I'll would love to see how it goes and it'll be great for other members too.