Sector information: webshop

There are different types of webshops, each with their own characteristics and business models. Here are some of the most common types:

1. Retail webshops
Direct-to-consumer (DTC): Web shops that sell products directly to the end consumer without third-party intervention. Examples include clothing brands that sell their own products through their websites.

Multibrand retailers: Webshops that sell products from different brands, such as department stores or specialized online stores.

2. Wholesale webshops
Business-to-business (B2B): Web shops that sell products in bulk to other businesses. These shops often target retailers, distributors or wholesalers.

3. Marketplace webshops
Online marketplaces: Platforms where multiple sellers can offer their products to customers, such as Amazon, eBay and Etsy. The marketplace acts as an intermediary.

4. Subscription webshops
Subscription webshops: Web shops that offer products on a subscription basis, such as monthly boxes of snacks, beauty products or coffee. Examples include Birchbox and Dollar Shave Club.

5. Dropshipping webshops
Dropshipping model: Webshops which sell products without keeping stock themselves. When a customer places an order, the shop buys the product from a third party (usually a supplier or manufacturer) who ships the product directly to the customer.

6. Print-on-demand webshops
Personalized products: Web shops selling personalized products, such as clothing, accessories and home decorations, which are printed and shipped to order. Platforms such as Printful and Teespring offer these services.

7. Niche webshops
Specialized shops: Web shops that focus on a specific niche market or product category, such as vegan food, sustainable fashion or vintage furniture.

8. Affiliate shops
Affiliate marketing: Webshops that promote other businesses' products and earn commission based on the sales generated through their referrals. These shops do not need to manage inventory or handle shipments.

9. Service-based webshops
Service-based sales: Web shops selling services instead of physical products, such as online courses, consultations, digital marketing services or software subscriptions.

10. Social commerce webshops
Selling through social media: Web shops that sell products through social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest. These platforms often have built-in shopping features that allow you to buy directly through the app.

11. Flash sale webshops
Limited-time offers: Web shops that offer products at reduced prices for a limited time, often to sell excess stock or to attract new customers. Examples include Groupon and Zulily.

12. Charity webshops
Charities: Webshops that sell products from which part of the proceeds go to charity. This can range from clothing and accessories to artwork and crafts.

What to look out for when buying a webshop

Buying a web shop can be a lucrative venture, but there are several factors to consider to ensure that you are making a good investment. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Financial health

• Revenue and profit: View historical revenue and profit figures. Are these stable, growing or declining?
• Cost structure: Understand costs such as purchasing, marketing, hosting, and other operational costs.
• Debts: Check if the webshop has debts and what their terms are.

2. Traffic and customers

• Traffic sources: Analyze where the traffic comes from (organic, paid, direct, referral).
• Customer base: Check the size and quality of the customer list. Are there many returning customers?
• Conversion ratio: Check the conversion ratio of the webshop. How many of the visitors convert to paying customers?

3. Products and stock

• Product offerings: View the product offerings and margins on these products.
• Supplier relationships: Check vendor relationships and contract terms.
• Inventory management: Understand inventory management and logistics processes.

4. Technology and platform

• Web platform: Check which platform the shop is running on (e.g. Shopify, WooCommerce) and whether it is up-to-date.
• Technical maintenance: Check the technical condition of the webshop. Are there regular updates and maintenance?
• User experience: Test the user experience of the web shop. Is it user-friendly and fast?

5. Marketing and SEO

• Marketing Strategies: Analyze current marketing strategies and campaigns (Google Ads, social media, email marketing).
• SEO position: Check the SEO performance of the webshop. How well does the site rank in search engines?
• Social media: Check the presence and activity on social media. How many followers and interaction is there?

6. Legal issues

• Licenses and patents: Make sure all necessary licenses and patents are in order.
• Privacy policy and conditions: Check if the webshop complies with privacy laws (e.g. GDPR) and has clear terms and conditions.
• Contracts: View existing contracts with vendors, employees, and other partners.

7. Reputation and reviews

• Customer reviews: Read customer reviews and feedback on various platforms. Are customers generally satisfied?
• Brand reputation: Research the brand's reputation. Does the brand have a good reputation in the market?