Online Gift Shop

Internet sales are exploding worldwide: + 30% in the first half of 2008, about 10 billion euros spent. The number of active e-stores is over 43 000 (cons 29 000 a year ago), knowing that more than 1 / 3 of e-tailers are e-shopping. Every hour, over a commercial site is created: competition is fierce. According to Marc Lolivier, general delegate of the Fevad, “the situation calls for caution, but for e-commerce growth in the tank there. If the pace of growth in the number of users is maintained and the average purchase not slowing down too, sales of online business should grow by 25% in 2009 compared to 2008 to € 25 MD and 20% 2010 at 30 billion. ”

Open its online store, many women think about and sometimes do, driven by two main reasons: a ticket relatively small (a few thousand euros for the creation of a small commercial site) and the possibility of organize their time as they wish. Fanny Grangier, creative oefshop.com Shop in 2007 (creation of clothing for pregnant women), believes a better quality of life of respectable times and a real comfort while working from home (it was formerly television producer, a “business dog “).

But many acknowledge to work twice as often than when they were employed “should not lie, it takes a long time,” confirms Mathilde Le Rouzic, 33, creator in 2004 of bagatelles.fr, shop online for gifts themes. ”I often days 15 hours long and I also worked weekends.

Alternatively diversify its revenue sources by organizing private sales, selling its products in physical stores, investing in the market for corporate gifts, etc.. For Fanny, online sales now coming in 4th position in sales, behind sales in multibrand shops  and Galeries Lafayette. Mr. Lolivier Fevad of the average basket, however, tend to decrease because of the economic crisis that has pushed the sites, particularly those selling high-tech products, to cut prices to attract users. The average basket was well established at 87 euros in the fourth quarter 2008, against more than 93 euros earlier this year.

Be prepared to make sacrifices  – Can one make a living with his e-shop? Yes, but not necessarily! While there are success stories, such as berceaumagique.com (launched by Charlotte Gaillard, now head of an SME of 10 people), many smaller sites are in financial difficulty or even fail. Matilda is gaining a decent life and has even hired but has not paid during the first 18 months. She could cope with unemployment benefits (after termination) and the device ACCRE (exemption from social charges for one year for job seekers). ”Initially, we must be prepared to make sacrifices, insists her. And then, I have seen my report about money since I started.” Fanny, she does not even pay wages.

For women who want to go, Mathilde gives the following advice: Do not be overwhelmed by the administrative (subcontractor), maintain a liquidity plan updated annually, although surrounded, well be accompanied and rely on his entourage. ”At first, I have used my network of family and friends. My friends must still remember the Saturday afternoons spent doing tests gift packages” remembers smiling Matilda. His blog was a way to break its isolation and to exchange with other e-entrepreneurs.

For its part, Fanny attended training at the ITC on the ergonomics of a site, SEO, etc.. and started a business incubator. She fond memories and urges all those who can use this opportunity to test its activity at lower costs (the incubator only remove 5% of sales). In the end, Fanny says that “this adventure is a real period of personal growth” but also recognizes that “the choice of life can be complicated to manage by the entourage. Matilda, she recommends having the nerve because “there are very high highs and low lows.”