Hello! The EdgeShop blog has finally been launched. I have been trying to find time to start writing about my experiences running an online store among other things. Somehow, today, it became possible for me to get on Blogger and get started with the blog.
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| Facebook Cover Photo for EdgeComputing |
The Story of Edge
I started Edge as a computers company in January 2014. We not only built computers, we also looked into the prospects of selling products online. Starting August, Edge slowly steadied its inventory and started going live on Flipkart, Amazon, Snapdeal and Ebay.
We believed that our online business of selling posters, t-shirts, computer accessories and other items will allow us to pay for our operational costs - rent, electricity and so on. But actually, it so turned out that our online business was the only avenue from which we were able to generate a consistent income. We weren't doing any business making or selling computers!
Since then, we have slowly evolved into an online retailer instead of a computers company as our foundation.
You may be thinking - "What!? How can you just do that?" There was no other possible option. We were simply in the wrong place to sell computers plus I was also responsible for everyone who is working directly or indirectly with Edge. I had to give them something concrete to look forward to.
Now,the prospect of building a computers company that promised affordability and great service was good on paper, but it became increasingly difficult to stay as a niche provider of services.
Why? - Our customers are different.
When we say affordability, it doesn't really mean the price is low (although we would love if it was so), we mean that we offer spectacular services on top of building a desktop computer. Services like installing a free operating system like Ubuntu, offering free alternatives to programs like Microsoft Office or Adobe Photoshop, offering hardware or software support. So affordability here means much more value for less. This is the kind of value that no grey market computer builder could offer.
There is no easy way to say this save from sounding arrogant, but in the area we are located in, we are only able to reach lower middle-class customers and they are not really equipped to understand the meaning behind all of this. Consequently, we end up losing their business to grey market outlets like CTC (Chenoy Trade Center) and others.
So, we decided to focus a lot more on our online retail business to help us pay our operational costs and fill our stomachs while we continue to offer computer services to customers looking to build Performance class machines - Gaming or Content Creation. We have changed our focus to a different audience since these customers understand and know what they are getting for the price. Sorry! But that is how harsh reality is.
As our online business grows, we will continue building great performance class computers. Maybe one day, it may so happen that we are able to build truly affordable computers for everyone. That is the final goal.
Why did I start this blog?
All questions need answers and this question is no exception. With this blog, I intend to share with you, my personal experiences in running an online store and also my learning accrued over the course of running an online business.
This blog is not only going to serve as a personal diary for me to measure my progress, but I hope that you are also able to draw many insights into either buying products or running an online business.
What challenges do I have in running this blog?
Consistency. This is the only word that comes to my mind when I think of anything new.
Am I going to be able to stay consistent in sharing events or putting up educational content? Will I be able to write at least 2 posts a week? More importantly, will you be able to draw anything of value in whatever I write? These will be my key questions and pointers when I question myself.
I have told myself that no matter how difficult it gets, I will write consistently on this blog.
Thank you!
Thank you so much for taking your time to read all of this. As a token of appreciation, feel free to walk into our office and get a 50% off on our Posters with the code - IREADEDGE
I'll look forward to seeing you :)
Edge Computing
#103/2, Ground Floor, Trident Building,
Plot No. 28, Vijaya Nagar Colony,
Wellington Road, Picket, Kharkhana,
Secunderabad, Telangana - 500009
Write to us: edgecomputingindia[at]gmail.com
