Brick-and-Mortar Store vs eCommerce: What Business Should You Start?

Do you have a great idea for a product that you want to put out into the world? That’s great! The next thing to decide is whether you want to open an eCommerce store and sell it exclusively online, or whether you want to open up your very own brick-and-mortar store so you can connect with customers in person and sell your product directly to them.

The decision is a hard one to make, as there are many pros and cons to them both. The final decision will depend on the market you are going into, your financial situation and what funds you have from the outset, and your personal preferences on how you want the business to be run.

To help you make the decision, here are some important things to consider about a brick-and-mortar store and an eCommerce store.

eCommerce

The great thing about an eCommerce business is that you don’t need as much money from the outset to get it up and running. You will need to fund the costs for a website that can sell your products, get your products pictured and put online, marketing to drive traffic, and a way to create and ship your products. You will also not need to find and seek out a physical location. These aspects of starting an eCommerce business will save you a lot of money, money that you could invest elsewhere, such as marketing. It is trendy to have a business online, as that is the preference of many consumers in the 21st century. Consumers value being able to look online and order at their convenience, which is typically outside of business hours.

Unfortunately, an online business means that you are more disconnected from your customers and community, and have to be able to put yourself out there to be found, amongst all the other noise online. This can be very difficult, as customers are missing that human element when choosing which business to invest in. Your eCommerce business must be set up in a good way so that it does all the talking for you.

Brick-and-mortar

Brick-and-mortar stores are not as popular as eCommerce stores, but they are still very valuable and have many pros. Brick-and-mortar stores provide you with an opportunity to directly connect with customers as soon as they walk through the door. You can set up your shop in a way that you prefer, using a variety of stalls and countertop display stands to attract their attention to make a good first impression. You can see for yourself how customers respond, and adapt accordingly. You can show the human side of your business and connect with customers on a personal level. You can have your products out on display so they can see them in person and make a more informed decision about investing in your business.

Unfortunately, brick-and-mortar stores are more costly and complicated to set up, as you will need to find a physical location and hire staff to be present on the shop floor at all times.

There are many pros and cons to running both a brick-and-mortar business and an eCommerce one. Many businesses will also combine the two. Consider these pros and cons to help you make your decision!