How to Start an Online Dog Supplies Store
Many busy pet owners prefer to avoid making a special trip to the store to purchase items like dog food, treats, collars and leashes. The convenience of ordering online allows them to keep their canine well supplied with a variety of products delivered right to their door. If you want to start your own dog supplies sales business online, there are several steps to take before you are up and running.
Instructions
- 1 Locate a supplier from which you can purchase your products. Choose a company that offers wholesale prices --- this allows you to price your products at retail rates and make money on each sale. Check out Pet Wholesaler, King Wholesale Pet Supplies, J-B Wholesale Pet Supplies, Inc. and others. Compare available products, pricing, delivery fees and customer service policies to find your best option.
2 Choose a domain name. Select something catchy that conveys what your business is about. Domain names with the word "canine," "puppy," "dog," "Rover," or "Fido" are all options. An alliterative name like "Puppy Products" or "Canine Kit and Kaboodles" are possibilities. Consider alternate domain name extensions like ".net" or ".biz" when ".com" is not available.
3 Choose an e-commerce company to host your website. Many providers offer a full-service package that allows you to design your website yourself with easy-to-use tools, upload photos of your merchandise, enter pricing and offer a virtual shopping cart service to your customers. Full-service sites also provide options that allow you to accept payments easily and effortlessly via credit and debit cards and PayPal. Choose a free service like Vendio or osCommerce, or consider paid options like Shopify or Virtue Mart.
4 Market your online store to direct traffic to your website. Leave your business cards in the offices of local veterinarians and dog groomers. Place a flyer on the bulletin board at your local animal shelter. Advertise in small, local newspapers. Contact area newspaper or news channels and offer to allow them to do a personal interest story on you and your business.
