A Tea Trader’s Guide to taking their Business Online

A report in 2014 stated that India consumes 8,37,000 tonnes of tea on an annual basis. Moreover, the tea market in India is also expected to grow by 20–23% by 2020. So, if you’re a tea trader, ensure that you do all you can to capitalise on this opportunity. One way of increasing your profits is to take your tea business online, in addition to supplying tea to physical retailers. With online shopping becoming the way most people prefer to shop, retailing your products online will help you maximise your reach and visibility by ensuring pan-India presence and thus increase profits.

Taking your business online can demand for sufficient capital. To get funds in a convenient and easy way, you can choose a Business Loan from Bajaj Finserv with a Flexi Loan facility. This means you can borrow as you need and choose to pay interest-only EMIs through the tenor. Interest is payable only on the amount that you use, and you can repay the principal at the end of the tenor. This makes financing your online transition much easier.

Now that you know how to fund your business transformation, take a look at how you can take your tea trading business online.

1. Set up an e-commerce website and decide upon a catalogue

In order to grow your online presence, it is essential you have an online shop. Having your own e-commerce website will help you sell your tea effectively, without cutting down on profits by having to pay third parties. Additionally, you can also manage and track the traffic on your website to see how and when your products gain popularity. Ensure that your website is easy to use and its functionality isn’t lost in design. You will also need to decide upon on a catalogue. Consider pan-India tea preferences when selecting items for your catalogue so that you aren’t catering to just a fragment of the market.

2. Promote your tea products

Whether you are new in the tea business or have been in the tea trading business for years, it is important that you promote your website aggressively. You can do so by setting up a stall at various events, offering an introductory price on new products and uploading quality images of your tea products as well as recipes and brewing instructions. Additionally, you can also consider discounting older stock to keep the inventory moving and ensure that you don’t spend too much on maintaining it.

3. Spread the word with advertisements and emailers

One of the best ways to retain old clients and reach out to new potential clients is by regularly advertising or sending out emailers. An emailer helps remind an existing customer that you are still in the business and probes them to visit your website to view new items. An advertisement can help you attract new buyers, especially when you offer discounts on the first order.

4. Have an efficient delivery system in place

While retailing good quality tea is important, it is also essential that your tea is delivered as you advertise it on your website. To avoid damaged packages and unhappy customers, have an efficient delivery system with sturdy packaging that will preserve the freshness, taste and appearance of your well-packaged tea. Also, choose your shipping partner with care. It is important that you stick to timelines and avoid delayed deliveries to your clients to ensure repeat visits.

With these tips, taking your tea trading business online becomes easier. To get started, check your pre-approved offer from Bajaj Finserv, which adds convenience with its 1-step verification process and access funds in an instant.