I want to start an online tea store. Any advice?

[Jane]

Im just starting to think about so i dont know much. Anyone knows how to make connections with suppliers in China or Japan? Do i have to go there first? How much will starting such business cost?
Any advice will be appreciated.
Thank you in advance.

[Bingleberries]

To start you will have to find an audited supplier, one which keeps in line with the laws of the country it is in. Then you have to think about shipping costs. Once you have planned out exactly how you are going to obtain the tea then you can make a full business plan; costs, time taken and everything else.

Once you've decided on a business play you'll need money to buy stock and to pay for web design and hosting. Remember, your website is like your shop front so don't leave a small amount of funds to this, most shops cost a lot to rent and run so don't be afraid to spend money on getting a well done website.

To start off, you'll probably want to start with a local tea supplier, a wholesale company that you can order tea from in small amounts.

Finally you need to advertise, obviously you'll need some sort of launch event but this needs to be advertised. With an online shop the event can be special offers to coupon holders etc. Use social networking sites (facebook, myspace, and all the others you can think of) to gain as much publicity as possible. You can pay google for web ads but physical ads are better. Find some cooking magazines and get a spot of advertising in those. The ideal spots are the front inside cover and back cover though these are expensive. Page sized adverts are good but also cost more money than small ones.

If you have financial troubles find investment from a bank or private investor. I'm sure you've heard of the TV program, Dragon's Den. Google it and you can find out more about it.

|I'll round it up here and enjoy my tea (you just reminded me of it!). Good luck with your site, I may be a customer if it goes well. Message me if you get it going, I'd like to see it.

[teaconnoisseur]

I'm enrolled in a fantastic online tea school right now. There is a special extra component even just for web-based business. It goes through just about everything you need to know to open and even gives recommendations on which companies are good to work with based on their reputation. You must email me for further information because I can not send you a specific recommendation to my school on yahoo answers. The school is online.

A lot of people also go to conferences to learn the stuff they need. Those can get expensive though 2,000-3,000 each.

Let me know if you need any info because I'm currently planning to open my own tea business, though not online.