How can I sell this product/service online?confused

6 replies
Hi, I need some guidance on where to go with this..

I have a service/website set up to design and sell business cards to small business owners, I tested it out offline and got a good bit of business from advertising (offline). I have a job as well with long hours so I want to do it all online now, but I'm finding it very difficult.

I completed a website for it and I was then going to use ppc to direct traffic to it but then I read that you then need a landing page and an email marketing series? I have been trying to work on email marketing the past couple of months but I'ts not my strong point.

I don't think that people care enough about their business card's to read an email series on it? Every business uses them and most buy them without too much thought. (I joined vista print's list and they just constantly email sales and discounts)

1) If I just direct traffic using ppc to the website would that be a waste?

Once I know what to do I would like to just outsource this part of it

2) What are my options for payed advertising/ getting leads? and do I need email marketing for this?
#onlineconfused #product or service #sell
  • Profile picture of the author NatesMarketing
    I don't think you need an autoresponder for this.

    I think...if you target the correct "buy" keywords in PPC - you can make sales direct like that.

    Read this: The Ultimate Guide to PPC Landing Pages by Unbounce (there is an optin involved, but it's a quality ebook)

    I think that method would be ideal for your business model.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9321178].message }}
    • Profile picture of the author Steve B
      Sean,

      Since, as you say, most businesses buy their business cards without too much thought . . . let me ask you . . .

      Why should I buy my cards from you? What's unique or special about what you're offering? Does that unique thing meet a demand?

      I think selling cards online when you're competing with the likes of Vista Print is a losing battle. Anyone can go to their web site, order 500 cards for less than $10, choose from hundreds of designs or make up their own, and have their cards very quickly.

      Can you beat what they're doing?

      These guys use business cards as a loss leader. Have you seen all the other print products they sell? Can you really afford to compete against a business that sells at a loss in order to secure a new customer?

      You might be successful in a local community by visiting businesses and making friends, but I think it will be hard to compete online given the huge marketing budgets of your biggest competitors.

      Not trying to discourage you but I see your business model as very suspect, to say the least.

      But good luck to you in finding your space,

      Steve
      Signature

      Steve Browne, online business strategies, tips, guidance, and resources
      SteveBrowneDirect

      {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9321306].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author gjabiz
    Originally Posted by seanpbh View Post

    Hi, I need some guidance on where to go with this..

    I have a service/website set up to design and sell business cards to small business owners, I tested it out offline and got a good bit of business from advertising (offline). I have a job as well with long hours so I want to do it all online now, but I'm finding it very difficult.

    I completed a website for it and I was then going to use ppc to direct traffic to it but then I read that you then need a landing page and an email marketing series? I have been trying to work on email marketing the past couple of months but I'ts not my strong point.

    I don't think that people care enough about their business card's to read an email series on it? Every business uses them and most buy them without too much thought. (I joined vista print's list and they just constantly email sales and discounts)

    1) If I just direct traffic using ppc to the website would that be a waste?

    Once I know what to do I would like to just outsource this part of it

    2) What are my options for payed advertising/ getting leads? and do I need email marketing for this?
    Have you segmented your customers? Is there a group, like tradesman or food shops for instance that seem to make up the bulk of your choices?

    One way might be to offer a Business Card Coupon type thing, where they buy 5 and get one free, or use as a referral to help get new customers from old ones.

    I think, like Steve B, it's a lot of effort for not much reward UNLESS you have something different. There are the tent style, the little booklet style and the regular old style and so many people are offering them. Are you sure you want to stay in this market? How much is it costing per hour? If you are making 10 bux an hour, it could be costing you 40 in lost business with an IM deal.

    gjabiz
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9321352].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author Alexa Smith
    Banned
    Originally Posted by seanpbh View Post

    I don't think that people care enough about their business card's to read an email series on it?
    I agree.

    I think you'd also probably lose most of the sales, that way: by the time they've read your email series, they'll have had their business-cards delivered overnight from VistaPrint or some other huge printer who produces them by the million almost free of charge, as a loss-leader? Please excuse my commenting that it's far from easy to see how one can realistically and profitably compete with that, especially using paid traffic?!

    Originally Posted by seanpbh View Post

    do I need email marketing for this?
    I say "no".

    My question is: "Can you possibly do this profitably, against such well-established and successful competition?" That's what they'd be asking you on "Dragons' Den"/"Shark Tank", if you wanted an investment, and please excuse my mentioning that it's far from immediately obvious how you'd answer them?!
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9321371].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author 1stargeneral
    Banned
    Originally Posted by seanpbh View Post

    Hi, I need some guidance on where to go with this..

    I have a service/website set up to design and sell business cards to small business owners, I tested it out offline and got a good bit of business from advertising (offline). I have a job as well with long hours so I want to do it all online now, but I'm finding it very difficult.

    I completed a website for it and I was then going to use ppc to direct traffic to it but then I read that you then need a landing page and an email marketing series? I have been trying to work on email marketing the past couple of months but I'ts not my strong point.

    I don't think that people care enough about their business card's to read an email series on it? Every business uses them and most buy them without too much thought. (I joined vista print's list and they just constantly email sales and discounts)

    1) If I just direct traffic using ppc to the website would that be a waste?

    Once I know what to do I would like to just outsource this part of it

    2) What are my options for payed advertising/ getting leads? and do I need email marketing for this?
    Well, in my own opinion, what kind of email series are you launching to be delivering to your list. As a matter of fact, nothing is impossible. If we look close into this, there are possibilities in it.

    Titles like "Risks of Business Card", "Business Card Efficiency", "Proper Business Card Usage" etc can scale through for visitors to get more info. You may write a short ebook piece about this and tell them to download free but they must subscribe to your email list in order to have access to it.

    This way you are on your way to actualizing your dream. It might take a while but gradually you will register your presence. I could talk more on this but at this point, i think i need to just hold up.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9321425].message }}
  • Profile picture of the author newbim
    Hi,

    I COMPLETELY AGREE about VP.

    If it was me, I'd look a little deeper into who my customer is, what they do, what sites they use, what kind of person they are.

    I agree with what you say about some people not putting enough effort into their business cards. An example: Is it likely that Alan Sugar buys his business cards from VP? It's possible, but not likely.

    I'd be thinking more along the lines of an 'American Psycho' approach. If you haven't seen it, there's a whole scene about businessmen comparing business cards. It's a great film. Anyway, I digress.

    Another thing to consider is 'who will see the advert?' is it going to be the company director themselves, or a 'lower-rank' employee? If it's the latter, maybe revisit some of the questions I put at the top? Hopefully, this will make it clearer which path you could take.

    It's late, and it's been a long day, so I'm sorry if I've rambled, but I hope you see SOME SENSE in where I'm coming from?

    Good luck with it .
    Signature
    If what I said helps, let me know, throw me a 'thanks'.
    {{ DiscussionBoard.errors[9321497].message }}

Trending Topics