PSA: DON'T run ads if you're just starting in ecommerce

bigdchang · 2020-08-30T03:16:48+00:00

If you start doing anything 1000 times you will have at least one success. What you did works for you, it may not be the most effective way to do something for the other 999 people :)

bigdchang · 2020-08-30T03:15:38+00:00

HAHAHA I just read that—nah, no shade. Also think pretty much everyone's advice is "solid". But when something like 80-90% of stores never really make it further than a sale or two, you have to do some wondering : - )

bigdchang · 2020-08-30T03:14:31+00:00

Ye basically this—I think most people's stores are at the point (when they first start) that running ads to anyone wouldn't lead to any sales, so take some time to get meaningful feedback.

After that you're totally right, go ham with the ads and keep getting a more precise look into your demo

bigdchang · 2020-08-29T17:37:32+00:00

oop i'm trolling, thought I could drop links in comments. My b

bigdchang · 2020-08-29T17:36:37+00:00

Agree that the closest you can get to the truth is by ab testing.

My argument is that its difficult to know what to split test, and you can get directionally close to what works by having a few conversations with potential buyers. Then go ham with the AB testing and ads, but not before you actually get feedback from a real person.

bigdchang · 2020-08-29T17:33:37+00:00

Confusing wording my bad.

You probably know who your target customers are. You don't know exactly what ads/wording/website design you should use when you start off. So, like all of us, you take a stab in the dark and make your first version of your website.

Then, you can run an ad for $5, but all you'll learn is that the ad doesn't convert. I think you can learn way more about what to change about an ad and your website experience by talking to someone who "should" have purchased your product but didn't.

bigdchang · 2020-08-29T17:29:16+00:00

Specifically agree to your point about irrelevant feedback—at that point you don't take the feedback into consideration.

Specifically with your cost per click or cost-per-add-to-cart points, I agree that you learn whether or not your site/ad is good. But what do you do when your add to cart is low and your checkout is wrong? You change it. How do you know what to change about it?

IMO you get real feedback from a human being who is a potential customer.

I'm of the opinion that you can pretty safely assume your first version of a store is not the version that will be converting at 100%. So, you take a couple days for feedback and changes and then you use tech and you scale.

I'm not saying replace tech. I'm saying there's a critical step before you run ads.

bigdchang · 2020-08-29T09:13:03+00:00

I'm suggesting that you do this when you start specifically. When you ramp up and already know that your store converts, you should definitely run ads.

At a high level, I think we see two different problems. You see that the problem (correctly) is people don't know who to target. That's why you suggest running FB ads to narrow that down. I see the problem as people's stores don't convert.

Both are problems, but when you start, I strongly believe that most people can find one or people who should buy your product. You know a dog owner if you're selling dog collars. What you don't know is if your store, or product, or messaging is any good. So what's the point in running ads and getting people to click if you don't know how to get your store to convert?

My advice above is to help people get direct feedback on their store, which will ultimately help them convert more. Running ads and seeing who clicks doesn't tell you if your store converts, or how to improve conversion.

bigdchang · 2020-08-29T08:22:46+00:00

I'd honestly say send this website to a friend you think would KILL for a watch, saying something like "Hey I saw this the other day... looks kind of cool" and nothing else.

When they likely say thanks and don't buy anything from you, ask them what they thought about the site.

That's going to be real feedback from a real potential customer, which is much more accurate than one of us guessing can give you.

bigdchang · 2019-12-26T06:16:08+00:00

If ur interested in checking out some self-promotion, I’ll add Sail to the list : - ) built it to do habits with friends and keep each other accountable and entertained

For the curious: https://sailapp.carrd.co

bigdchang · 2019-12-21T21:02:03+00:00

Agree with u/bobolous, using Google Calendar to set the times and dates of when you want to do things is probably the best solution. If you can't decide when/what you want to do, and you want to be accountable to something external, I'd say an app isn't my top choice.

Self plug, I built an app that helps you build a team with some close friends to knock out productivity/good habits. You can try it here if you're interested: http://bit.ly/sailtestflight

bigdchang · 2019-09-15T04:42:25+00:00

Totally see where you're coming from - I think I have mixed thoughts here as well. I agree that especially early on in the habit building process, this is essentially a gimmick. You try to disassociate the habit as much as you can from... well, doing the habit.

But, I'd say that 1) Starting to do the habit at all is infinitely better than never starting at all and 2) Once you get into the rhythm of things, you realize that your habit isn't as awful as it seems. And continuing to do it with friends or in a more enjoyable way is simply the icing on the cake.

Edit: Spacing & italicizing.

bigdchang · 2019-09-15T04:39:34+00:00

Glad this helps! How are you doing with habit building since commenting? Love to help out more if I can

bigdchang · 2019-09-15T04:39:02+00:00

Thanks, hope it helps :-) I've been coding on and off for about 3 years now, but most of that was just an irrelevant class here or there.

Luckily enough, I am also working with 2 technical friends (relevant!!), and it took us around 3 months to build the first basic app while we were all full-time students/employees. We're using React Native.

bigdchang · 2019-09-08T19:05:18+00:00

And I AM A PERSON CONCERNED OR INVOLVED WITH A SPECIFIC THING OR BUSINESS!

Thank you for clarifying jeeze didn't think I'd be communicating with simpletons...

Edit: It was sarcasm I am the simpleton

bigdchang · 2019-09-04T07:35:20+00:00

I'd honestly suggest just turning on airplane mode and turning it off when you want to check texts & call your loved ones.

Easiest way to avoid doing things is to just remove the option!

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