Preparing for Market
Shipping & Distribution
Now the product has been manufactured and packaged, the web site has been built and online orders can be made, and money issues have been well thought out. How does the finished product get from the inventor to the customer? First, a distinction must be made of where the product will be shipped. Maybe the product must be shipped nationally every month to stores all over the country. Or maybe products are sent directly to the customers who order it off of the web site.
It is much more complicated for the inventor if they must distribute to many locations routinely throughout the state or country. A trucking line would need to be hired to be in charge of monthly routes and making sure shipments arrive on time to fill the shelves.
On the other hand, if shipping directly from a web site or catalogue to the customer, distribution is much simpler. UPS, USPS, or FedEx can be used to ship nationally or internationally fairly quickly, easily, and inexpensively. This cost, as opposed to the national distribution method, is minor and can be charged to the customer. For example, if ordering a product from a web site that costs $25, shipping might cost an extra five dollars. The customer would pay the total $30 and have the product delivered straight to his/her home.
Shipping and Distribution are complicated processes that should be accounted for when preparing for market.
Paper outline
- Protecting inventions
- Manufacturing the product
- Getting resources and financing
- Testing the market
- Preparing products for market
- Closing thoughts
- Download the entire paper
Check out the Silent Timer Web site to see the product Erik took to market. Contact him with any questions.
