Congratulations on running a successful ecommerce business! However, this is only the beginning.

As a striving entrepreneur you are currently making a steady stream of revenue through your online ecommerce sales. You feel confident that your business will flourish and continue to garner sales. However, the reality is that the ecommerce business is very trendy and volatile.

To be more specific to India’s case, it is reported that the ecommerce industry records an 80% failure rate. Thus it is important to diversify your ecommerce business when you can gain the opportunity to do so.

So, let’s find out how to expand ecommerce business in India.

Why Should I Expand Into eCommerce More? Why Not Expand Into Offline Businesses?

Great question. The reality is after the post COVID-19 era, the user rate of mobile internet transactions sky rocketed. According to a research study conducted by Prof. Shyam Jivan Salunkhe of A R B Garud College located in Shendurni, Maharashtra, it is estimated that the online ecommerce industry increased by 22% in 2022, post-COVID. This trend is strengthening in numbers and the 830 million people who used smartphones in 2021 has increased to 900 million in 2024. It is predicted that mobile (ecommerce) business and shopping transactions will increase at a Compounded Annual Growth Rate of 22% by 2025.

Gruuz’s diverse library of ecommerce business for sale list ups will give you some hint of how large the ecommerce market is, not only in India but all over the world.

How to Expand eCommerce Business?

Market Research of Current and Potential Customer Base

First, you need to research the current customer base and market of your ecommerce business. The reason why this is important is you do not want to eat into your own pie by investing into a new ecommerce business that sells similar or competing products. For example, if you are an online electronics goods seller that focuses on iphones, but looking to look at Xiaomi smartphones, there is a high chance that the similar client base you have may just move to your new ecommerce business. It’s basically a six of one and half a dozen of the other, it’s the same pie.

At Gruuz, the customer base is very specifically explained in detail in all ecommerce business websites. They are distinguished by the volume of users as well and if the ecommerce business applies Google Analytics, country of origin and more specific info about the main users of the ecommerce business website can be analyzed instantly and consistently.

SNS Channels

Advertising through SNS channels is a must when expanding your ecommerce business. The problem is if you use the same SNS channels, same Instagram account, the same Facebook page and the same Whatsapp status, the current online users(and customers) will be confused. Brand loyalty of the current ecommerce operation will most definitely waiver.

This is why we recommend you buying a new ecommerce website on Gruuz. The SNS channels and marketing campaign are already in place and running successfully and steadily on the ecommerce websites up for sale. This reduces the cost of investing in influencers, creating and designing new SNS channels, contacting Pay per Click companies to host links to your new ecommerce business. The efforts (not to mention money) can be saved to focus on new areas of investment with your new ecommerce business or on areas of synergy between your current and new ecommerce businesses while the in place SNS and advertising campaigns perform their role helping existing customers to continue to buy goods.

Supplier and Distribution Channels

When expanding ecommerce business, the problem of where to acquire the raw supplies exist. Do I contact an OEM manufacturer? Do I import the goods from Alibaba Wholesale from Chinese manufacturers? Do I go to Visakhapatnam and ask for a local merchant to manufacture the goods at a lower price? How will I get it there? These are the problems to tackle when expanding your ecommerce business, because there is a high probability that you won’t be expanding your merchandise catalogue to similar or identical items.

Gruuz’s categorized ecommerce business websites already have a well-functioning supply and distribution channels put into place. The previous owner explains in detail after acquisition how his or her merchandise is produced, delivered and shipped to the consumer. After buying the ecommerce business, you can pick up the supply contact and distribution channels the previous owner managed. This is a much cost effective and business smart decision as creating a new supply route and distribution channel costs much time and even more money. In addition the previous owner of the ecommerce business website will be happy to assist in overseeing the operations and supply network, as he is handing over his business that he had put a lot of effort into.

SEO(Search Engine Optimization)

Utilizing Search Engine Optimization is also very important part when it comes to expanding your ecommerce business empire. If your current main item of ecommerce sales is selling traditional wear such as juttis, anklets or dupattas your ecommerce website will be searched by either mid aged women in their 50s to trendy 20 year olds who are trying to converge new fashion with tradition. However let us assume that because everyone likes Indian tradition, they add traditional food to the ecommerce website. The contest and search engine relevance will most definitely decrease, and the foothold of having a high priority when being searched will decrease as there is not a very clear content of what the ecommerce website is trying to sell.

This is the reason why SEO utilization is important. It is also very difficult to configure this using an ecommerce website that already is customized for a certain product.

Through Gruuz, this problem can be easily resolved. Most ecommerce websites for sale are already finished with Search Engine Optimization. How can we verify this? First through the potential seller’s specific explanation of how they designed their SEO. Secondly the traffic volume and the characteristics of the user base (verifiable by Google Analytics) is the indicator of whether the SEO is working effectively on the ecommerce business for sale. Unless you have an intricate knowledge of Search Engine coding and big data computer engineering, we recommend using the already verified effective SEO tools put into place by buying the existing ecommerce business sites on Gruuz’s platform.

There are various additional steps to be covered such as filing for a new type of business and customer service, but these steps are similar to starting a new ecommerce business and we will not go into detail about them. The afore-mentioned steps are the essential parts to ‘expanding’ an ecommerce business and the affiliated website.

Why Do I Have to Buy or Expand to a New eCommerce Website? Why Can’t I Just Use My Existing eCommerce Business?

Great question. The reason is this move has the potential to kill off your current client base.

Let’s take an example. If you are Indian then you will know the ecommerce platform Flipkart. Flipkart currently holds market share of 35% in the Indian ecommerce market, being second to Amazon India in certain segments. One of the most widely traded good segment is surprisingly; fashion and apparel. They are very popular in cities such as Jaipur and Armistar, as the population is less than Tier 1 cities such as Mumbai. The interesting thing is, Flipkart owns Myntra, another ecommerce platform. As most of us are aware of, Myntra is a fashion and apparel focuses ecommerce business. Why would Flipkart have 2(this is dulled down a bit much, but bear with me) fashion and apparel ecommerce business websites? Why not just integrate it all to Flipkart?

This is the beauty of diversification. Although it is in the same category, the target segment of the ecommerce website is different. Flipkart focuses on more SPA brand clothing while Myntra works in collaboration with a lot of distinguished fashion brands.

The same can be said for your ecommerce business. As Baba would say, do not put all your eggs in basket. You can expand your current ecommerce business to handle various products, but remember this means showing unwanting products to your current ecommerce business clients. For example, if you are operating a used auto rickshaw C2C business, but you are now selling used cars, this might not fit with the demand for customers who are looking to buy used auto rickshaws on you ecommerce business website. They will go to a more specialized website, and thus you will lose your customer base.

At Gruuz, specialized ecommerce business websites are ready for your pick at adequate prices. Gruuz offers a very specific explanation of the client base the website is targeting, what channels are used to attract the certain niche customers and what products they are selling. All you have to do is choose the right website that is complementary to your current ecommerce business operations in India.

Why Can’t I Just Start from Scratch? Why Do I Not Just Make a New Website?

Another great question. The answer is simple. You have to put in a lot of effort to create a new ecommerce business website. The first one that you have up and running was very tiresome. You had to research your target market, make your brand, apply for your PAN card, set up a bank account at a bank like Punjab National Bank, create a domain website and … is this all becoming familiar and nauseating for you? Expanding your ecommerce business operations through building a new website is just as hard as it was when you launched your first ecommerce business. We do not recommend it.

What we do recommend is you buying an existing ecommerce business website and tweaking or customizing it to your needs. At Gruuz, there are various types of ecommerce business websites that are up for your selection. The tiresome steps of applying your brand, creating a domain website, applying for another business license (assuming this is a different business entity) can be solved once and for all with buying an ecommerce business website. The problem of creating a new brand is also solved as you can tailor the previous owner’s one to your needs. The client base is already in place and steady revenue is maintained as the ecommerce business is still operating.

What Benefits are There to Expanding to an Additional New eCommerce Business Website?

Besides diversification of your revenue, there are various advantages when buying a new ecommerce business website. Let’s look at the following.

Sharing the Client Base of the New eCommerce Website

When you buy a new ecommerce website, the products are still selling on the website. The SNS and advertising strategies are still working in place. This means the client base is also consistently buying your products.

For example, let’s assume that Bibi ji’s saree clothes are selling off the rack and online and offline business sales are going through the roof. Baba ji and Bibi ji are looking to expand, however they are not sure what business they want to expand to. Then they notice a jutti custom ecommerce business online on Gruuz. These two items act as complements to each other as they have the same segment of customers; people who are interested in traditional wear. They purchase it at a reasonable price and now have two ecommerce business websites specializing in sarees and juttis. An affiliated marketing link is placed on the bottom of each website, and people who are interested in juttis also remember to buy their sarees online as well. Sales go up even more, and Bibi ji(not to mention Baba ji as well) is evermore happy.

This is the beauty of sharing a similar client base. By purchasing an ecommerce business that shares similar tastes you can bolster your current ecommerce business’s revenues. At Gruuz, this is what we do; we categorize what the online business sells (the main product of revenue), we analyze the revenues through Google Analytics and Proof of Documentation (the verifiable evidence of income stream), and show statistical data of who the main user base is of the ecommerce business.

You and your folks can carefully make informed reasonable decisions on which areas to pinpoint and expand as ‘complementary’ ecommerce business areas.

Allowing for Overhead Costs to be Lessened

The second perk to buying an ecommerce business is that overhead costs can be saved. Running two different websites doesn’t mean twice the costs, it can be decreased. The management team who overlooks your current website can overlook the traffic just as well with a few well-placed algorithms regarding traffic, delivery disruptions and customer service. The data farm can also be put into a similar location, saving your overhead costs regarding internet usage and traffic. You can also slim down operations by choosing the best human resources from each individual ecommerce business and formulating a strategic effective team.

At Gruuz, these statistics can be simply verified and understood even during the early phase of acquiring a website. The costs of running an ecommerce website is reflected in the revenue and net profit information supported and verified by the Proof of Documentation and Revenue Sales. The management of the ecommerce business website is explained thoroughly in the introduction of the website. The people to retain after buying the new ecommerce website can be advised by the previous owner, or the methodology of the new business can be examined and evaluated by your current workforce. All in all, objective overview of operational procedures and costs can be evaluated through Gruuz’s platform.

Conclusion

Expanding your ecommerce business is essential for surviving in a sky rocketed ecommerce market. So, you need to do market research, marketing through SEO and SNS channels, or expanding to an additional new ecommerce website. By purchasing an existing ecommerce website from Gruuz, you can skip many of these steps and expand your ecommerce business rapidly.

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