Blog Store or Stand alone site?

[meonline]

Hello All,

I have an e-commerce issue that needs solving. I have a blog that is about 4 months old. I get about 30-50 visitors per day. My blog is growing slowly, but it is growing. I also want to open an e-commerce store but I'm not sure if I should open it on my blog or create a stand alone site.

There are several issues here.

1. Branding. If I have my own e site I can create its own brand and appeal to non blog readers as well.

2. Cost. Opening a stand alone site is much more expensive - but doable.

3. If I had a stand alone store I could also cross promote and use the blog as a means of soft selling.

I have experience with both blogs and e-commerce sites so running the e-commerce site is not a mystery to me.

Also, my niche is not huge. The main keyword brings in about 2000 hits on Google per day. I'm just not sure if the investment of a stand alone site is worth it. Wondering if an affiliate store on my blog is a better choice.

What to do?

[JEccles]

I would go ahead and open a separate store. Your point about branding is a valid one.

[BasicECommerce]

I would open a separate store too. Use your growing reputation from your blog as a soft sell and SEO. If you're becoming respected as a blogger in your niche, you should be able to become a serious contender quickly. You dont need to make millions to be a successful online store. Just profitable.

-BEC

[aukdesign]

Hi meonline,

Why not use the soft sell approach from your blog, you would in essence be creating a convenience for your visitors.

Let your visitors know that they "have the option to purchase xxx by choosing the following link:"

Either give them the full address: http://aukdesign.com/ecommerce/index...ne/category/8/

Or better yet, in the spirit of your blog, hide the address behind a description: X Promotion (recommended)

Your blog visitors will value your efforts and benefit from it.