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[MEGA THREAD] How To Build A Successful E-commerce Brand During A Global Pandemic. Step By Step Guide...

Santi M

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Once I have the product in a warehouse (I was thinking of using my house as a warehouse to start out with...is that ok?) how do I start promoting the site to get sales? You talked about setting up pixel or else we will be mad if we didn't...how do you do that?

I think using your house is a very valid idea. At least at the beginning.

About how to install the pixel (and use Facebook/Instagram/Google/... Ads) look it up on youtube, there's plenty of information about that and good tutorials also.
 
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Sanj Modha

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Once I have the product in a warehouse (I was thinking of using my house as a warehouse to start out with...is that ok?) how do I start promoting the site to get sales? You talked about setting up pixel or else we will be mad if we didn't...how do you do that?

Yep, using your house to ship is a good idea: you need proof of concept.

We're branding and shipping from a 3PL because we're the pros and we know how to sell using paid ads so it's not risky for us.

Once you have momentum and sales, you have the option to move to a 3PL service too.
 

Sanj Modha

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Hey, Love this thread! Me and my friend are working on starting a drop shipping business for out door/camping gear. But will only use US based suppliers to be able to charge higher prices and faster shipping. I was wondering how or if you plan on altering the URL for your website so it doesn't use a shopify url? is there an option to do that in shopify already, or do you just leave the URL alone? because I would think people will see the shopify in the url and be deterred or skeptic of ordering since they know there is probably a high markup on the product.

My first ever dropshipping store was outdoor/camping/survival - man, it was fun!

Preppers buy anything if you position it right!
 

Sanj Modha

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Once I have the product in a warehouse (I was thinking of using my house as a warehouse to start out with...is that ok?) how do I start promoting the site to get sales? You talked about setting up pixel or else we will be mad if we didn't...how do you do that?

Setting up the pixel is pretty easy if you're using Shopify (we are and we love it).

You have two options with Shopify: install the pixel into the theme OR download the ad platform's app.

You can install Pinterest, Snap etc pixels by downloading their official app from Shopify's Apps Store.

If you get stuck - there are 100s of videos on YouTube to show you how it's done OR pay someone on Fiverr to do it for you.
 
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chevenix

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What is your main decision for product research, something that you finally say "okay, this looks good." Is it because of high selling rate, margins, competitor, or else? I've watched your 1st video but got only little clues because of language barrier. Thanks.
 

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@Sanj Modha Thanks for this.

From the product selection video, it appears you're looking for something with proof of sales and selling it. No product improvement or differentiation. Am I missing something or does the secret sauce come later (e.g. masterful ads, copy, etc to drive traffic and convert)?
 

sparechange

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@AgainstAllOdds

Awesome thread! Excited for you.

Hoping you kill it with the new business and this doesn't turn into selling a course.



33292


Skeptical myself, but hey who am I to judge right? Maybe I should sign up for these 8 figure months... How much do you charge @Sanj Modha ??? I have an E-Commerce store that sells Canadian made products, I wouldn't mind adding a few Ferraris & Lamborghinis to the stable (I don't even have a car!) A private jet would be nice aswell with a standby Pilot, I mean 8 figures a months I could surely afford it right?!?!?

I apologize if you are legitimate, but your video of sourcing crap from China is so overplayed. But hey if your making money good for you that's awesome.

I find it interesting your not willing to show these social media pages (your marketing company has a whopping 245 likes) But are willing to showcase revenue which can be easily photo shopped??? Considering you are the Chief Awesome Officer that has spent over $50,000,000++ dollars on ads as claimed on your website I'll need to shut up and start learning from one of the greats.

Maybe I'll learn something here???? Anyways carry on...


@MJ DeMarco
 
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Sanj Modha

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What is your main decision for product research, something that you finally say "okay, this looks good." Is it because of high selling rate, margins, competitor, or else? I've watched your 1st video but got only little clues because of language barrier. Thanks.

I look at a few things: is it trending, does it have sales, can you sell it on IG, Pinterest, Snap etc? (social is HUGE).

Also, find industries where customers buy like crazy such as dog, hair extensions, bikers etc. These people have plenty of money and this it's evergreen. You can sell to 24/7, 365 days a year.

I build brands around products that women buy because they're easy to sell to. Just follow the money.
 

Sanj Modha

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@AgainstAllOdds

Awesome thread! Excited for you.

Hoping you kill it with the new business and this doesn't turn into selling a course.



View attachment 33292


Skeptical myself, but hey who am I to judge right? Maybe I should sign up for these 8 figure months... How much do you charge @Sanj Modha ??? I have an E-Commerce store that sells Canadian made products, I wouldn't mind adding a few Ferraris & Lamborghinis to the stable (I don't even have a car!) A private jet would be nice aswell with a standby Pilot, I mean 8 figures a months I could surely afford it right?!?!?

I apologize if you are legitimate, but your video of sourcing crap from China is so overplayed. But hey if your making money good for you that's awesome.

I find it interesting your not willing to show these social media pages (your marketing company has a whopping 245 likes) But are willing to showcase revenue which can be easily photo shopped??? Considering you are the Chief Awesome Officer that has spent over $50,000,000++ dollars on ads as claimed on your website I'll need to shut up and start learning from one of the greats.

Maybe I'll learn something here???? Anyways carry on...


@MJ DeMarco

This is hilarious.

Not even sure how to respond but carry on with your rant. Some people need a good laugh.

And, if you had bothered to pay attention to my sourcing video - I CLEARLY stated that I don't fulfil orders from Aliexpress/China. I said use it as a guide to see what's selling/trending etc.

I also talk about finding product ideas from Amazon and eBay because...

Wait for it...

Most of the products you see on sale are made in China. OMG...who knew?

I couldn't care less if you believe me or you don't. Unlike you, I'm not hiding behind a fake profile.
 

sparechange

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This is hilarious.

Not even sure how to respond but carry on with your rant. Some people need a good laugh.

And, if you had bothered to pay attention to my sourcing video - I CLEARLY stated that I don't fulfil orders from Aliexpress/China. I said use it as a guide to see what's selling/trending etc.

I also talk about finding product ideas from Amazon and eBay because...

Wait for it...

Most of the products you see on sale are made in China. OMG...who knew?

I couldn't care less if you believe me or you don't. Unlike you, I'm not hiding behind a fake profile.

Right, so how much are you charging for these online ads? At 8 figures monthly I think I could bribe MJ out of retirement to chauffeur me across the US in a blacked out limousine while personally reciting Unscripted to me. My first stop? Snowy Chicago!

I have an online store and would love to do $120M a year as your website says! Sign me up! What are your rates?
 
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Bobby_italy

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Right, so how much are you charging for these online ads? At 8 figures monthly I think I could bribe MJ out of retirement to chauffeur me across the US in a blacked out limousine while personally reciting Unscripted to me. My first stop? Snowy Chicago!

I have an online store and would love to do $120M a year as your website says! Sign me up! What are your rates?
why the trash talk tho?
Doesn't seem like he's selling anything to us but even if he was then he would for sure back up his claims.
 

sparechange

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why the trash talk tho?
Doesn't seem like he's selling anything to us but even if he was then he would for sure back up his claims.

I'm just asking for the rates to get my Ecom store up to $120m as claimed on his website, not sure how you take that as trash talk?
 

Bobby_italy

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Vadim26

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Yep, using your house to ship is a good idea: you need proof of concept.

We're branding and shipping from a 3PL because we're the pros and we know how to sell using paid ads so it's not risky for us.

Once you have momentum and sales, you have the option to move to a 3PL service too.

Hey @Sanj Modha,

What exactly do you mean when you say “branding”?

Is it creating a nice website, logo and slapping that logo on a product and package?
 

Sanj Modha

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Hey @Sanj Modha,

What exactly do you mean when you say “branding”?

Is it creating a nice website, logo and slapping that logo on a product and package?

Correct but we also have the product branded with our logo too (factories will do it with minimum order quantities).

You don't need to go this far until you have a winning product that sells consistently but trust me - when you do...the competition can't touch you.
 
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QDF

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Hey @Sanj Modha,

What exactly do you mean when you say “branding”?

Is it creating a nice website, logo and slapping that logo on a product and package?

Correct but we also have the product branded with our logo too (factories will do it with minimum order quantities).

You don't need to go this far until you have a winning product that sells consistently but trust me - when you do...the competition can't touch you.
I would also add that branding and all the things you mentioned (website, logo, packaging) revolve around marketing to a specific, core group of people. Define your target audience first, and then build the product, website, logo, packaging and overall brand around that theme. This builds a MUCH stronger brand as opposed to a lot of people who just slap a random logo on generic stuff.

@Sanj Modha Do you use exclusively 3PL's? Any experience with renting your own warehouse space? I had a horrible experience with my last 3PL and am now looking at leasing my own warehouse space to handle things in-house. It would mostly be for surplus inventory and B2B orders -- direct to consumer orders would still be outsourced. Flexible warehouse space on a smaller scale (~5,000 sq ft) seems to be really hard to come by.
 

Sanj Modha

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I would also add that branding and all the things you mentioned (website, logo, packaging) revolve around marketing to a specific, core group of people. Define your target audience first, and then build the product, website, logo, packaging and overall brand around that theme. This builds a MUCH stronger brand as opposed to a lot of people who just slap a random logo on generic stuff.

@Sanj Modha Do you use exclusively 3PL's? Any experience with renting your own warehouse space? I had a horrible experience with my last 3PL and am now looking at leasing my own warehouse space to handle things in-house. It would mostly be for surplus inventory and B2B orders -- direct to consumer orders would still be outsourced. Flexible warehouse space on a smaller scale (~5,000 sq ft) seems to be really hard to come by.

No, because I don't live in the US. If you do then fulfil it from your own house/warehouse.

Finding surplus is great and my next video will show you how to find dropshippers in the US (or your country) who can fulfil your products which is a million times better than using Aliexpress to deliver orders.
 

seriousleisure

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- Shopify: the theme is currently a work in progress and should be done this week.

@Sanj Modha Thanks so much for posting this! I have a store on Bigcommerce and am very dissatisfied. I'm looking to rebuild my store on a new platform.

Why do you choose Shopify and not Wordpress? Does SEO work as well on Shopify?
 

Sanj Modha

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- Shopify: the theme is currently a work in progress and should be done this week.

@Sanj Modha Thanks so much for posting this! I have a store on Bigcommerce and am very dissatisfied. I'm looking to rebuild my store on a new platform.

Why do you choose Shopify and not Wordpress? Does SEO work as well on Shopify?

I've been using Shopify for the last 5 years and I love it: it's easy to build a theme, there are millions of apps on the marketplace to make life easier etc.

Also, Shopify is moving into fulfilment, 'buy now, pay later' and more.
 

Sanj Modha

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Apparently, my "How To Find Product Ideas" video was featured in the latest FLF newsletter.

Thanks to @Honey_Syed for the heads up!
 
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Sanj Modha

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Work for UPS - Can confirm that shipping regulations for batteries is a pain

Yep, this is why we don't sell any electronics now although I LOVE consumer electronics.

No moving parts or batteries is better for my sanity.
 
D

Deleted58089

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I would like to bundle three products together. All three of them are made by different manufacturers, with one of them being the main offer and the other two are supplementary and pretty simple to manufacture.
I would also like to list one of the supplementary products by itself.


As I am not using a 3PL service, how should I simplify the whole process?
Should I ask the manufacturer of the main product, to receive and package all the products himself in a single box?

Or package and ship them separately into the Amazon warehouse?

Finally, could a freight forwarder in China, collect, bundle some my products and ship them afterwards?
 
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amp0193

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Question @Sanj Modha

I actually plan on running several stores right now but what's the deal with PayPal? Do we need just 1 business account or do you create one for every brand/store? I believe they say on their terms you can only have 1 personal and 1 business unless the company is an LLC and therefore a separate entity. But obviously I am not going to set up each new brand as an LLC straight away.

If you do use only 1 business account, won't customers get a little freaked when they see a random name on the invoice/bank statement opposed to the actual name of the store?

Thanks.
 

amp0193

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If you do use only 1 business account, won't customers get a little freaked when they see a random name on the invoice/bank statement opposed to the actual name of the store?

They will think it's weird, yes.

Separate all your finances for every business.

Paypal reports are hard enough to reconcile as they are.
 
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Kenobi1234

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The FB, IG, Google, Pinterest, and Snapchat pixels are installed and building up traffic.

Tip - Install ALL the pixels from the beginning even if you never plan to run ads on these platforms. Trust me, you'll regret it if you don't.

Hey Sanj, thanks for the awesome thread, really appreciate you doing this.
I'm wondering, what's the reason for installing these pixels early on? So they build data in case we eventually use these advertising platforms or is there something else?
 

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