No Excuse For Traditional Retailers Not Going Online
- Arnold Shields
- Mar 6, 2012
- 2 min read
Updated: Jun 6
According to a Commonwealth Bank report, online retail growth shaved 1.3% off traditional retail sales as far back as 2011. Other studies forecasted a 12% surge in online shopping. But the question isn’t how to stop this trend, it’s how to take advantage of it.
There is no excuse today for not having an online presence. Whether you’re a local fashion boutique, a homewares store, or a pet supply shop, if you're not online, you're invisible to a growing share of your customer base.
Start With eBay: A Low-Cost Online Retail Launchpad
Why eBay Works:
eBay is the fastest and simplest way to enter online retail. You’ll gain immediate access to millions of ready-to-buy customers. It’s ideal for testing:
Which products generate the most interest
What price points work best
Which images, headlines, and descriptions convert
Tips for Success on eBay:
Sell benefits, not features. Can your descriptions shift focus to what your product does for the customer?
Listen to the questions. Customer inquiries reveal doubts—address them upfront to boost trust.
Identify gaps. Is there a product niche that no one else is addressing?
Move old stock. Turn your slow-moving inventory into cash flow.
But remember: you don’t own your eBay store—you’re building someone else’s platform. The next step? Launch your own online shop.
Own Your Online Store: Build a Business You Control
To future-proof your retail business, you need an ecommerce site with your own domain name. It gives you control, builds long-term value, and lets you develop direct customer relationships.
Recommended Ecommerce Platforms:
WordPress + WooCommerce: Flexible and cost-effective. Great for those who already use WordPress.
BigCommerce: Australian-based, hosted solution that integrates seamlessly with your own domain.
Magento: A powerful open-source platform suited to larger businesses or those with complex needs. Requires more setup but offers robust scalability.
Most retailers already have what’s needed—stock, suppliers, marketing materials, staff, and loyal customers. The only thing missing? Action.
Just Get Started
Don’t let perfection hold you back. Learn the ropes through eBay. Experiment, test, and gain confidence. Then transition to your own online store with the lessons learned.
Even small, specialised niches can become highly profitable online businesses if marketed effectively.
The key is to start now.
Disclaimer:
The information provided in this article is general in nature and does not constitute personal financial, legal or tax advice. While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of this content at the time of publication, tax laws and regulations may change, and individual circumstances vary. Dolman Bateman accepts no responsibility or liability for any loss or damage incurred as a result of acting on or relying upon any of the information contained herein. You should seek professional advice tailored to your specific situation before making any financial or tax decision.
