Rent hikes aside, customers want to buy online. Should I close the physical store and start e-commerce?

same happened to us bro... we closed the physical store and went fuully online. first 3 months were tough customer count halved. but after 6 months it normalized now we saved on rent and customers multiplied

To-do list: 1- Marketing budget (2000-5000 at the start is crucial), 2- Shipping partner contract, 3- Website (ready-made e-commerce infrastructure, with Turkish support), 4- Payment gateway (Iyzico, Stripe), 5- Packaging and shipping boxes. Initial setup 5-10k TL + 3000 monthly. Test it out in the first month.

Main risk of moving to online trade: customer loss. To solve this: 1- Add old customers to email list, 2- Launch site, tell them, 3- Returning customers buy online, 4- Those who don't return go to physical store, 5- As months pass, the picture changes. It's not easy but it's doable.

I'm curious: are your customers local (only city customers) or nationwide? Because locals might regret online due to 'shipping outside the city'. Customer profile matters.

Moving to e-commerce is profitable but shipping fees, return costs, scam customers etc. will scare you. Be prepared. Your physical store might have 5% returns, online could be 15%.

You'll save on rent but here's what will happen: now customers browse the market between 9-10 online they'll message at 23:45 asking 'why hasn't my package arrived'. :) But it's worth taking the risk.

Bro, you're making a solid decision! Store rents have driven us crazy e-commerce isn't the only sector that's growing. Be brave, give it a try. If you succeed, you might even build a franchise model later!

I disagree with you on this point. Any unwritten clause becomes a point of disagreement later, as both sides remember it differently.

Just leaving this note, it might be useful.

I think differently. Most time waste accumulates in tasks waiting for approval.

That's all, sorry if I went on too long.

correct in theory but it doesn't work that way in practice but tbh trying to do this alone is the most expensive way.

correct me if I'm wrong.

There's a part I don't understand. Any unwritten clause becomes a point of disagreement later, as both sides remember it differently.

If you post the result here, it will help others too.

I feel the same way. Any unwritten clause becomes a point of disagreement later, as both sides remember it differently.

Just leaving this note, it might be useful.

I think differently. Solutions that work at a small scale collapse when you grow; I learned this late.

If you post the result here, it will help others too.

I'm a small business, let me explain from my side. Just because everyone does it doesn't mean it's right.

If you have questions, write them; I'll answer as best I can.

This approach has a cost which isn't discussed. When making a decision, also write down the cost of reversal.

Proven by experience.

I can't fully agree with this. Start with a small trial; don't commit to everything at once.

Correct me if I'm wrong.

Thanks, this was very helpful.

I agree.