darren

What in your opinion is the major difference between owning a bricks and motor store and an online one?

kris

There will typically be less overhead costs with an online store. You can also reach a much larger market and serve more customers with an online store.

Super Mod

I think you hit the hammer on the head right there. The costs associated with doing business online is much less as well as it allows you to reach millions of people fairly easily. There are no restrictions to doing business either.

darren

I think that that is certaintly one of the main things than attract people to starting out on the web, but apart from costs what else?

anne

As kris already said, overheads are lower. The other thing I would probably have to say is that while its easier to start, you are competing against a much bigger audience. In a mall there may be three or four competitors you have to worry about, but people might say 'I can't be bothered to walk all the way to 'other shop'' and just buy from you anyway. On the net you have to work harder to keep your customers.