How to Cut the Overheads of Your E-Commerce Start-Up
by
possible.Here, we explore seven ways to cut the costs of starting an e-commerce business.
Drop Shipping
Rather than plunging a big chunk of funds into investing in the products your e-commerce start up retails, consider the benefits of drop shipping. With drop shipping, you do not actually hold the stock but rather act as a middle man between the customer and the wholesaler/manufacturer when orders are placed. This can help you expand your product list without the risk of investing in a large quantity of items.
Many e-commerce businesses will stock their best selling products and drop ship the items which receive a lower volume of orders.
Expert Help
It can be tempting to try and complete all tasks yourself when starting up an e-commerce business from creating a bespoke website to designing the logo. However, these wide-ranging tasks require a varied skillset, so it can be beneficial to seek the help of experts. Rather than employing full time designers and photographers, seek out freelancers from sites such as People per Hour which house tens of thousands skilled professionals across a range of disciplines.
Government Schemes
The Government has made a huge push in recent years to increase the number of apprenticeships in the UK, offering great incentives to employers who take on apprentices. The Government will offer grants of up to £1,500 for businesses taking on apprentices in the UK. The lower pay rate for apprentices also makes it more affordable for small businesses to attain a full-time employee, helping complete labour intensive jobs.
Cheap Delivery
One of the largest overheads for many e-commerce businesses is delivery costs. Significantly cutting these costs can help increase the profit margins or help you pass savings on to customers. Rapid Parcel is the useful tool helping you determine which courier service is most suitable for your company and delivery needs – helping ensure you never pay more than necessary for a delivery.
Cloud Storage
Strive to go paper-free to cut printing and paper costs and reduce your carbon footprint – helping you decrease the overheads and environmental impact of your start-up. Using cloud storage services such as Dropbox or OneDrive can help you store and share important files, documents and information safely and securely. These free tools are a cost-effective method of streamlining the whole storage process.
Free Business Number
Rather than investing in a telephone number with digits which lend themselves perfectly to a catchy advertising jingle, find a free business number with Just 0845 Numbers. A dedicated business number can lend an extra sense of professionalism to the business and separate your e-commerce responsibilities from your personal life.
Free Market Research
Comprehensive, relevant market research can help you effectively plan every aspect of your business from the stocklist to social media marketing campaigns. It can be expensive to buy existing research, but online tools such as Survey Monkey can allow you to conduct your own marketing research absolutely free. This can help you better understand your audience and potential customers.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Tobin Capital continues to expand its portfolio by investing in pop-up marketplace Sook, the startup on a mission to revolutionise the high street.
Sodexo and L Marks open call for applications from innovative startups and scaleups to join their inaugural Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator.
The lowdown on FuturePlus, the startup that's on a mission to make sustainability accessible, achievable and affordable for all businesses.
.jpg)
John McLachlan, author and co-founder of Monkey Puzzle Training & Consultancy examines the differences between action-oriented and reflective leaders and which approach is best.
The fitness app that's not just about physical fitness; GoJoe helps employers to engage, motivate and connect their people across all pillars of wellbeing.
Now in its fifth year, North West England water firm United Utilities opens call for Innovation Lab, its pioneering ideas incubation programme.
Not-for-profit OneTech has spunout from Capital Enterprise to expand its offering and continue its mission of creating a more equitable, diverse and supported startup ecosystem.
London-based startup Deep Render tackles the internet’s data and bandwidth challenges via its innovative AI-powered file compression technology.
The lowdown on Dublin-based startup and NUI Maynooth spin-out Neuromod Devices and its innovative evidence-based bimodal neuromodulation treatment for chronic tinnitus.
.jpg)
With the clear shift towards generative AI, Richard Hayes, search director at digital marketing agency Catalyst explores what it means for SEO...
Published on: 23rd March 2015
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- Startup Sook Receives Investment from Tobin Capital 24th May 2023 Tobin Capital continues to expand its portfolio by investing in pop-up marketplace Sook, the startup on a mission to revolutionise the high street.
- L Marks Seeking Startups and Scaleups for Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator 23rd May 2023 Sodexo and L Marks open call for applications from innovative startups and scaleups to join their inaugural Sodexo Healthcare and Seniors Accelerator.
- United Utilities Innovation Lab launches call-out for innovative ideas for fifth programme 18th May 2023 Now in its fifth year, North West England water firm United Utilities opens call for Innovation Lab, its pioneering ideas incubation programme.
- OneTech Spins Out from Capital Enterprise to Support Underserved Communities in Tech Across the UK 18th May 2023 Not-for-profit OneTech has spunout from Capital Enterprise to expand its offering and continue its mission of creating a more equitable, diverse and supported startup ecosystem.
