Virtual stores: a growing business model

The need to obtain a source of income, either by being unemployed or to add extra money, when you have a low-paid job, has sparked the trend of using digital platforms as shop windows to promote and offer various items and services.

Many Dominicans have started with virtual stores where their main headquarters are social networks, specifically Instagram and Facebook Marketplace.

The digital world has given them the opportunity to devise businesses that they could not possibly undertake without that facility. In addition, virtual stores allow a greater reach and the possibility of satisfying the needs of customers in any part of the country.

For the owner of Fashion Doll, Carilis Guillén, creating a virtual store has not been an easy task. The entrepreneur started her business more than two years ago offering cosmetics for women, although at present her strong point is the sale of women's clothing.

Guillén comments that in her beginnings she outlined an Instagram page in which she sold to her closest clients and then the platform gave her the opportunity to attract more buyers.

To start the project, she financed herself with her own capital and thus she has been promoting the business. “To maintain an online store, it is necessary to have the page updated, in addition to being agile and responsible with customers,” she added.

Currently, the entrepreneur has more than 10,000 followers on Instagram.

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Opportunities

One of the advantages offered by this business model is that you can increase income and fulfill other tasks at the same time. This is the case of Claudia Rodríguez, who has developed an online project, although she also has a formal job.

Rodríguez decided to start the business of selling clothes online to increase her income and fulfill her dream of owning a store.

Her brand seal is called ClauTrendy and is located on the Instagram platform. “My desire is to be able to meet consumer expectations and have the ability to bring the right merchandise for the customer's need,” she explains.

Income

Rodríguez said that her income varies depending on the season. Currently, she can monetize between RD$20,000 and RD$50,000 per month. “With that money I buy new merchandise, set aside the savings and pay the person who distributes the orders,” she adds.

As the entrepreneur Guillén, she also points out that her income varies, depending on the season and although she did not specify amounts, she is pleased with what she generates. "I'm doing very well, I won't tell you how much I earn a month because I don't like to say it, but I assure you that I'm doing very well," she added.

Starting a virtual store is one of the most common possibilities of it. To do this, experts advise looking for the product you can sell, see how you are going to earn money and locate good suppliers.

Also, be consistent with the idea and carry out market research to determine to which public you will offer your products.