Online Shopping Malls

There are numerous ways and places to sell and buy merchandise. By all means, check out the various auctions. As a dealer you will have many options like online mall, individual website and auctions. But if you are more than just a seller, if you are a trader look at the online malls. With the option you can maximize your sales and your exposure.

Consider these factors when figuring out your best fit in selecting your shopping mall.

1. Advertising

How good is the internet presence of the online mall? Where do they advertise and how often? Is that cost factored into your monthly fee or is it an extra?

2. Visual and Navigation

Firstly the site should provide you with online shopping convenience and should provide comfort to you for navigation. The colour and design should be visually pleasing. Can you easily find stuff from the different dealers? If you are having trouble finding items, so will your prospective customers. Try out the search feature on each mall under consideration. Pick a few categories and see how easily it works.

3. Antiques and Collectibles

Check what the other dealers are selling; make sure their merchandise is similar to yours in price ranges and categories. Shoppers looking for "glass" won't have any reason to continually return if there are only a few pieces available. So if you're a glass seller, you want other dealers that also have glass, buyers will hang around the mall longer looking at the various shops, resulting in more sales.

4. Payment Options

The credit card account should be obtained easily through the online mall and it should not cost you much. Or if you already have one, you should able to use it without penalty.

5. Multiple Sales Locations

It's important for all dealers to have different avenues for selling their merchandise. The mall should not restrict your items to only using them. You should be given the facility to link your personal website free of cost.

6. Return Visits

Is there a reason for a customer to come back on a regular basis? Does the online mall offer sales to prospective customers (with dealers participation of course)? Are there informative articles on antiques and collectibles, forums, newsletters?

7. Photographs

Usually the more photos the better an item will sell. If a buyer can't touch an item they really want to see it all!

Are there any restrictions on the number of photos that can be used? Does the mall have a tutorial on best photo taking methods for antiques and collectibles.

8. Search Engines

A lot of people may not go to an online mall to shop for specific item, they'll use a search engine to help find it. Use the various search engines and see how the different malls stack up. Check and see how the different malls show up on first page or two?

If you're going to be selling specific items, using a search engine is a great tool to see what malls show up on the first page or two. Then follow through and see if the links are good and go to what was originally searched for.