With the world increasing more and more on computers and the cyberspace, people begin to wonder if it is even a smart idea to open a brick and mortar store. Retail stores are ubiquitous and so are E-Commerce stores. The two each have their own pros and cons that make them appealing to different people. One thing is for sure though, e-commerce stores and brick and mortar stores will continue to thrive for a lot more years.
E-Commerce
The largest and most advantageous characteristic of e-commerce stores is the ability to open one with ease and speed. Let's face it, opening an e-commerce store is far easier than ever. We now have so many options that allow us to go from idea to store without any hassle. Additionally, online stores also entail less risk. One can start an online business with as little as a few hundred bucks. The disadvantage of an e-commerce store is the competition. Unlike brick and mortar stores, e-commerce stores are in the cyberspace. The store is not tangible and has to be made tangible by SEO, and other traffic building methods.
Brick and Mortar Stores
Brick and mortar retail stores have the advantage of a fixed traffic and customer base if located well. The saying 'build it and they will come', very much applies to these stores because they're easier to locate and the products are meaningful and can be examined first-hand. With that said, brick and mortar stores. The process of opening a store requires a lot of time, money and effort which seems to thwart a lot of people.
Conclusion
For people who are very competitive and have limited capital, e-commerce is the way to go. E-commerce allows one to open a site with a small budget but, one would have to deal with the sites visibility. Furthermore, e-commerce sites can also take advantage of dropshipping and other useful resources online increase opportunities for success. Brick and mortar stores are better for people who have a good track record in management and who have the capital. This does not necessarily mean that opening a store is less competitive than opening a store online, this only means that one has to stand out from the crowd by being creative and unique