Being your own boss is becoming much easier these days, at least in the cyber
world. And a growing number of urban Chinese are starting businesses on the
Internet.
Lured by almost free entry into the market and the prospect of earning money
while working at home, the number of online merchants is growing fast. And many
don't even care if their ventures succeed.
These business owners especially women are finding their online shops in this
digital age open up a world of freedom that they would not have in the normal
working world. A few of them are succeeding so much so that they are faced with
making a painful choice between a career in the real world and one in the
virtual world.
Liu Li, who runs an online women's accessory shop, said she was encouraged by
the success of one of her friends, who recently decided to quit her regular job
as an accountant to become a full-time online entrepreneur.
As an accountant, Liu's friend receives a decent salary a little more
than 3,000 yuan (US$370) a month. But by selling cosmetics and winter clothes
online in her spare time, she earns more than 30,000 yuan (US$3,700) every
month.
Liu works full time at her shop, called "True Colours," at Taobao.com. She
decided to try her luck in cyberspace last May, as she was looking for a job.
She was already a veteran online shopper. She started shopping online for
accessories, cosmetics and clothes in 2001.
First Liu registered her shop at www.taobao.com, one of the Chinese websites
where merchants can register for free. Then she uploaded information about her
goods for sale, which included photos, product descriptions and prices.
"It is of utmost importance to find sources to purchase my goods," said Liu,
who found them mainly at wholesale websites such as www.alibaba.com.
In an effort to find good suppliers, online shop owners sometimes form small
alliances. Liu gave a few other shop owners whom she trusts links to her
suppliers, and they share theirs with her.
"One needs friends to succeed in cyberspace," she said. "One should be
clever, but not selfish."
Besides finding suppliers, an online shop owner should also be skilled
in pricing goods. The price has to be attractive with room for bargaining.
A potential buyer can contact the shop owner with the help of an online
chatting tool supplied by the website, such as Skype.
If both sides agree on a deal, the buyer will send the money to a bank
account assigned by the website, and the seller will have the goods delivered,
usually by an express delivery service.
(For more biz stories, please visit Industry Updates)
