elenaclaire

The footwear business has huge potential for large sales and exciting growth. I have managed the online marketing for other footwear companies who had a lot of success. With the right shoe style that can solve a problem or help with sensitive feet, then the audience is highly engaging with advertising, particularly through Facebook ads.

My partner is pregnant and due in March 2020 so I'm not expecting to have as much time as i did whilst I launched and grew the website! Shopify have valued the business at $140,000 but due to the baby on it's way I have reduced the price, otherwise I would have continued to invest time into the business and grow it to the 7 figure business it can become

The website is run on Shopify with majority of traffic generated by running Facebook ads to a specific age audience. Instagram is also a source of traffic but is less effective and the shop also has Google Adwords running which is mainly for brand specific keywords that convert very well. I have been running the Facebook and Instagram ads myself but these can be easily outsourced if you don't wish to run them. Customer service is maintained through emails linked to a G-suite account and the Facebook page through messages and comments on the post. Orders are fulfilled through a VA who works with the supplier in China and any returns are sent to a UK fulfilment centre where they restock the items and the VA then informs them if they are holding purchased items that don't need to be sent from China. Repeat customers visit the website directly, come via weekly newsletters and also make follow up purchases from Facebook retargeting ads. Product research is complied by watching trends and the best selling shoes on Amazon. Also working with the suppliers to request samples of collections i like or they recommend which i can test on family and friends

This business definitely has 7 figure potential by extending the range of items, shoes and clothing to sell to the existing audience. Currently 90% of sales are to women between 45 - 64 so expanding on products that will be of interest to different age groups will generate much higher sales.

Explore other marketing tools outside of Facebook. The store uses google adwords but not as extensively as it could do. I used magazine advertising once but this could definitely be expanded on - audience insights will tell you all of the favourite magazines of the people who like the Facebook page.

Find and add new styles targeting different audiences as it currently targets a specific age and gender

I would also look to setup a VIP members section whereby they receive offers and new ranges first at a discount and also a quarterly subscription model whereby they can select a new pair of shoes and accessories dependent on the season

Knowledge of online businesses and how they run but most skills can be learnt or outsourced. I would recommend an understanding of Facebook advertising as this is the key traffic driver to the website. An understanding of the shoe industry is helpful but not essential - I had no understanding of shoes when I first started. A key component is dealing with suppliers, fulfilment centre, VAs, couriers and customers but this doesn't require a lot of time, only that you're relatively responsive to deal with issues swiftly. The fulfilment centre offer customer service if you decide to use that service. It will be important to understand the audience and their seasonal needs to help you grow this business. Introducing other ranges of shoes but also clothing that you can sell to them will allow you to turn this into a 7 figure business