Running an online business selling products that you have made yourself is a dream come true for entrepreneurs with a creative streak. The beauty of an online business is that you can work hours to suit you and control the amount of time that you spend working. Running an online business is perfect for earning extra cash while at college, or as a side hustle alongside your regular job. If your business idea proves successful, you could even scale it up and make it your primary source of income.
While running an online business is an excellent solution for many entrepreneurs, there are also some issues that you may face as a business owner. These issues don’t necessarily negate the benefits of running an online selling business, but it is vital to be aware of them so that you can deal with them should they arise.
Counterfeit Issues
Listing your products for sale online means that they are visible to millions of people. Unfortunately, in some cases, your product may be spotted by someone that decides to profit from your idea by creating counterfeit versions of your products. Discovering that someone is trying to profit from your hard work is both upsetting and infuriating. To prevent your brand from being damaged by fake versions of your products, you will need to take the appropriate action.
Gather your evidence and Report infringements on eBay and other selling platforms as soon as you can to begin resolving the issue quickly.
Cybersecurity Breaches
Cybersecurity is an issue that should be at the forefront of the minds of all business owners. Data breaches in the US led to 4.1 billion records being exposed in the first half of 2019 alone.
Protecting your customer’s data should always be the number one priority for your business. Admitting to your customers that their personal information has been compromised is an issue you never want to face. To prevent your business from falling victim to a cyberattack, you will need to make sure that your computer systems are protected, so hackers cannot intercept that information.
Along with protecting your data computer systems from hackers, you also need to reduce the opportunity for data breaches to occur as a result of human error. Never leave your computer unattended in a public place, or in your car, where it could easily be stolen. Take care that you are sending the correct customer the correct information, so that details are not inadvertently compromised.
Customer Complaints
Offering excellent customer service is the easiest way to prevent customer complaints. However, it is impossible to please everyone all of the time. If you do receive a complaint, try to work with the customer to achieve a satisfactory outcome, rather than being defensive about their criticisms.
Online businesses rely on positive ratings and feedback to encourage others to buy from them, so offering the very best service possible is the best way to deal with customers, and keep them coming back to buy more.
