Who does business over the internet?

Hey guys,
Me and my fiancee are thinking about setting up an online petstore to service Malaysia...
He has experience in business as he has a subway, but other than that we're new to the whole on-line business concept.
Does any one have any experience they'd like to share with us? or if you could just raise your hand so i'll know who to email if we need any advice or help?

Thanks Guys

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Suraya, as you plan to market locally (even if via the internet) I think a lot of the info you need is specific to your country. For example, how many people have internet access, how many of them shop on the net, how can you ship nationally etc. Building the website will probably be the (relatively) easy part. Marketing and running the business is usually the main challenge. Why don't you visit www.sitepointforums.com - they have a forum for business ideas and I think they have quite a few members from Malaysia.

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Anne gave you great advice. The sitepoint forum is one of the best out there to find out all you need to know. You need to do a lot of thinking and research before attempting this, there is a lot of competition out there to do battle with.

Thanks Hissy...
I know.. I've already registered at the sitepoint forum actually...
It does have a lot of great stuff.
I was just wondering if any one else had any ideas or suggestions...

And

You need to do a lot of thinking and research before attempting this, there is a lot of competition out there to do battle with.

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We don't plan to begin till we've got some market research done. If it isn't viable at the moment then it may never happen. Rajesh (fiancee) already owns his own business (subway) and is pretty thorough with this sort of stuff... So it's definetly not something we're going to rush into.

But it's good to brain storm with people... Especially people with a passion for pets...

I am only guilty of buying lots of articles off the internet. Sometimes I would rather shop on the net than get dressed to go to town and shop Not a lot of advice though just letting you know that are people like me out there

I've over 6 years of experience with having an online storefront, it is hard work, and needs to be something you both can really commit yourselves to.

Key points, imo, a good, solid business plan - for expected start-up expenses, expected income by month for the first year, a good customer profile, good research on what to carry and what you will be about...few mom and pops (that's us smaller than a super store folks) can be all things to all pet owners..find your niche and then research the heck out of who your competition is and who you want to grow to be as big as.

Critical to have a good, secure shopping cart system and a website design that makes it quick and easy to navigate and to purchase, critical to understand how to get yourself well listed on the main SE, and critical to set your shipping and pricing policies well.

I highly recommend the following moderated business list www.qflea.com, this is an international list, folks are extremely helpful and from all kinds of businesses, and being moderated, it stays on task

I wish you the best of luck, I adore doing what I do!

I sell alot on eBay. And the best advertising I have found so far is through Google Ad Words.
I am not sure if you can use these two things in Malaysa but they are a great place to start.

I buy alot of cat stuff off the inernet....does that count?

If there are cat/dog/bird/other shows in your area, you can ask local people what they want in a petstore. Offer online advertising (banner swapping) and hard to find pet supplies. Find your corner of the market for show animals and they will send thier clients to you.