When you first decide to sell on the Internet, it might seem that the technicalities involved are bewildering, but this isn't the case. The Internet is simply a distribution channel with a worldwide nature and huge potential market. The Internet may mirror your current trading or it may totally transform it, but you need to think about the different possible outcomes of opening up a new outlet. When you first go online, it's unlikely you'll get millions of orders overnight, but even a 25 per cent increase in sales can cause problems if it doesn't match your company's established patterns. The instantaneous and global nature of the Internet is also something you need to build into your plan of action.
Internet users anticipate getting rapid feedback.
You need to think how you're going to access your email on a regular basis and respond to inquiries, complaints and so on, as they arise. The global nature of the Internet can make this a more difficult task, because of the different time zones involved. You'll also need to think about VAT, shipping and the replacement of faulty or damaged goods. While this is relatively easy within the UK, it becomes harder as you go further afield. If you already have a mail order business, you'll have dealt with many of these issues.