Trading on the Internet

2. What You Can Sell

The easiest goods to sell on the Internet are items that appeal to Internet users.

2.1 Most Internet users are young (18 to 40), technically minded with relatively high disposable incomes.

• Consumer leisure products, such as music and travel, are therefore good sellers.
• Software and computer equipment also appeal to this group.

2.2 The Internet also suits specialist products that would normally be difficult to find.

• For example, collector's items or organic meat and vegetables.

2.3 Buyers are attracted by good deals on commodity items. Benefits include wide product ranges, convenience and low prices.

For example, some supermarkets allow customers to order items using the Internet, for convenient home delivery.

• Products such as books or CDs do not vary in quality, so people are keen to pick them up cheaply through the Internet.

2.4 You can sell information. The Internet provides a ready-made distribution channel.

• There may be a market for a newsletter about a specialist subject.
• The Internet provides a new market for real-time information, such as share prices or auction results.