Online Gaming Store

[Aeson]

I'm thinking of starting a store. I'd like to sell games online. I want to do something like Nobleknight.com. I have some of the things I need to get going. Space, business license, access to shipping. What are the pros and cons? Can it work?

 

[Thornir Alekeg]

I don't know squat about how this would work, but I would say the main con is competition. To be successful online, you need a reason people go to your site rather than another one. That takes either discount prices (doubt you could beat Amazon), great marketing (high advertising costs), selling something others don't carry, but enough people want, etc.

I had a friend who started an internet based store for toys. He tried to market higher-end, higher quality toys than the mass-marketed stuff you find in Toys R Us. He kept it up for a couple of years. He didn't lose a ton of money, but he never made any and realized that he probably never would.

 

[kenobi65]

Ultimately, I'd have to agree with Thornir. "I want to do something like Nobleknight.com" may not be a great business strategy; why would someone pick your store over Noble Knight? You need a meaningful point of difference versus your competition.

Now, "like Noble Knight, but cheaper", or "like Noble Knight, but better selection", or "like Noble Knight, but faster shipping", might all be solid strategies (I say "may"; I don't know if those are meaningful issues for NK customers, or if they're something you could deliver on).

 

[Rl'Halsinor]

IMO, the thing you need to do first and foremost is to research the market because your inventory will only touch a particular niche of society. FLGS' are dropping like flys and it would be important to see how online stores are fairing.

I believe strong customer service would have to be a top priority. Newegg.com is the very best of the very best online computer parts and accessories stores there is because of their OUTSTANDING customer service. ZipZoomFly's selling point is there free shipping on almost everything they sell regardless of the price of said item. Both have a wide variety of items in stock.

Dell was at one time the #1 laptop and desktop seller in the nation but HP has surpassed them. Why? Because HP has much better customer servive whereas Dell has seriously slipped in this department.

Just my 2 cents worth.

 

[ssampier]

I think it depends on much money you are willing to risk, really. Part time job on eBay, little risk, little reward.

Full-time job selling books on your web: much higher cost versus greater possible reward. You still need a business plan as mentioned.

I'd start with ebay and keep your day-job.

 

[Aeson]

I didn't plan to stop my day job. My day job is the shipping I mentioned. I wanted to start something new that may or may not grow into something more.

 

[DaveMage]

From talking to a previous game store owner, who once had an online component but gave it up, he said that having an online store was extremely profitable....but he had no time to do certain things, like...eat or sleep.

 

[Aeson]

Those things are over rated.