Starting an Online Business All-in-One For Dummies, 5th Edition

Chapter 5

Expanding Products to Increase Stagnant Sales

IN THIS CHAPTER

Determining when to modify your line of products

Restructuring your inventory

Testing the waters for the best replacement inventory

If you own a mature online business, you must master two tasks to maintain success. First, you have to nourish (or feed) your site in a way that keeps it healthy, productive, and growing. Second, you have to perfect your timing by creating a feeding schedule for your site and recognizing when it needs nourishment and care to expand.

The sale of products (or the lack thereof) is a good indicator of how well you’re doing on both counts. If your site has been around for a while, you know that stagnant sales say a lot about your online business — and what they say usually isn’t good.

If that’s your situation now, this chapter is for you! We explain how to fine-tune the feeding schedule, adjust your inventory, and change your product mix to rev up your sales — at the right time.

Figuring Out When to Expand Your Product Line

With inventory, you’re never deciding whether to drop a product; rather, you’re deciding when to do so. Think about the last time you went grocery shopping. Did ...