Is January usually very slow?

Hi everyone --
I am so happy to find an e-commerce forum for small businesses.

I launched my boutique site September 2007 and had a great November and December, grossing 15K each month (I thought that was pretty healthy for a new business). Then this month has been so slow... I am going to generate about 2,000 in revenue. I do have somewhat of a seasonal business in that a lot of my items are holiday related. But is this normal?

Those of you with some experience, I'd appreciate your thoughts.

Thank you!

Jennie

Given the state of our economy and the post-holiday effect that occurs yearly I would say that your experience is 'normal'. I would look to March for any up swing.

You are doing well. As a new eCommerce company you will see huge jumps from month to month. Once you have over a years worth of sales data start looking at your growth by comparing the current quarters to the quarters in prior years. This way you will be comparing next year's holiday season to last years holiday instead of the first quarter verses the much more profitable holiday season in the fourth quarter.

After working in retail for the better part of my teenage years, shopping is ALWAYS slow right into January. So no worries, business will pick up soon! Let's hope our economy fares better in the coming months.

wow, that is doing pretty good already !!
I have been selling ebay & now turning to ecommerce website, and struggling about the marketing way.

It is unbelieveable that you promote your site in less than a few months.
And by the way, for my ebay in Jan, I also generate 20-30k gross depending on products.

how do you promote the site, share with us plz.

Thanks

After-Christmas headache ;-) I wouldn't care too much.

However how about a small survey you ask customers to fill in ? In this way you could figure out what needs to get improved.