Why Most Brisbane Online Stores Are Working Too Hard for Too Little
I see it all the time. A business owner in Brendale or Newstead launches an online store, stocks it with great products, and then spends every spare cent they have on Facebook and Google ads just to get a single sale.
They get the sale, they ship the box, and they celebrate. But when they look at the bank account at the end of the month, there’s nothing left. Why? Because it cost $30 in ads to get a $40 sale. After GST, shipping, and the cost of the product, they’ve actually lost money.
If you are constantly hunting for the next new customer just to keep your head above water, you aren't running a business—you’re running a treadmill. And eventually, you’re going to get tired.
The real secret to making money online isn't finding more people. It’s making sure that once someone buys from you, they keep coming back, and they spend more every time they show up. This is how you move from 'just getting by' to having a business that actually funds your lifestyle.
The Math That Matters: Stop Paying to Lose Money
Let’s be blunt: most of what you hear about 'growing your brand' is rubbish if it doesn't result in a fatter bank account.
Think about your best customer. The one who bought from you three years ago and still places an order every second month. When they buy from you today, how much did you pay Google to get that sale? Zero. That’s pure profit.
Now compare that to a stranger who clicks an ad today. You’re paying for that click, paying to convince them you aren’t a scammer, and paying for the discount code you probably gave them to get them over the line.
Your goal shouldn't just be 'more sales.' It should be increasing the total amount of money a person spends with you over their entire life. If you can double what a customer spends over a year, you can afford to spend more to beat your competitors, or better yet, just keep the extra cash for yourself.
Step 1: Getting Them to Spend More on Day One
If someone has their wallet out and they are ready to buy, that is the most profitable moment in your business. Most owners leave money on the table here because they are too polite to ask for more.
Think about your local Macca’s. They don’t care about the burger; they care about the chips and the drink. That’s where the profit is.
You need to do the same. If you sell a pair of leather boots, are you offering the waterproofing spray? If you sell coffee beans, are you offering the filters?
One of the fastest ways I’ve seen Brisbane businesses skyrocket their daily takings is by using product bundles to increase the average order value. Instead of selling one item for $30, you sell a 'Starter Kit' for $85. It takes the same amount of time to pack the box, but you’ve tripled your revenue.
Practical Tactic: The 'Frequently Bought Together' Trick
You don't need a degree in computer science for this. Simply look at your past orders. What do people usually buy at the same time? Put those items on the same page. Make it easy for them to click 'Add All to Cart.' If you make people hunt for accessories, they won't buy them.Step 2: The Fortune is in the Follow-Up
Most small business owners are great at the 'handshake' (the first sale) but terrible at the 'phone call' (the follow-up).
Once someone buys from you, they have given you their trust. If you don't email them or talk to them again until six months later when you’re having a sale, you’ve failed. They’ve probably forgotten you exist and have gone to Amazon for their next purchase.
I’ve worked with a boutique pet supply owner in Bulimba who was struggling. We looked at her list and realized she had 2,000 people who had bought once and never again. We started a simple, helpful email sequence—not just 'Buy this,' but 'How to wash your new dog bed' and 'Is your dog bored?'—and within a month, her repeat orders jumped by 40%.
You need to build predictable monthly income by staying top-of-mind. This doesn't mean spamming people. It means being helpful.
The 'Thank You' Sequence
Send an email 2 days after the product arrives. Ask if they liked it. Send another 10 days later with a tip on how to use it. Send a third 30 days later asking if they need a refill or a related item. This costs you nothing but a bit of time to set up once, and it runs forever.Step 3: Stop Wasting Money on 'Cold' Traffic
If you are spending $2,000 a month on ads and only $0 on keeping your current customers happy, your priorities are upside down.
I’m going to be honest: Facebook and Google ads are getting more expensive every single year. Large corporations with massive budgets are bidding against you. If your strategy is just 'buy more ads,' you will eventually be priced out of the market.
Instead, focus on building a profitable store by looking at your 'churn.' Churn is just a fancy word for people who buy once and disappear. If you have high churn, your business is a leaky bucket. No matter how much water (new customers) you pour in, it will never stay full.
How to fix the leaky bucket:
1. Personalised Packaging: A handwritten note goes a long way. In a world of faceless giant corporations, being a real person in Brisbane counts for something. 2. Loyalty Rewards: Not a complex point system—just a 'Welcome Back' discount for their second order. 3. VIP Access: Give your past customers first dibs on new stock. People love feeling like they are on the 'inside.'Step 4: The Power of Subscriptions
If you sell something that people use up (soap, food, supplements, candles), you are sitting on a goldmine.
Why wait for the customer to remember to buy? Offer a 'Subscribe and Save' option. Give them 10% off if they agree to get the product every month automatically.
This is the ultimate way to increase what a customer is worth to you. A $30 one-off customer is okay. A $27-a-month customer who stays for two years is worth $648. Who would you rather have?
Is This Going to Cost a Fortune?
Here’s the good news: most of these strategies cost significantly less than your current advertising bill.
- Email software: Usually starts at $20-$50 a month for small lists. - Bundling apps: Usually around $15-$30 a month. - Your time: This is the biggest investment. Setting up these 'automated' systems takes a few solid afternoons of work.
But the return? It’s massive. I’ve seen businesses double their profit without increasing their web traffic by a single person. They just got better at handling the people they already had.
What Should You Do First?
Don't try to do 50 things at once. You’re busy running a business. Start here:
1. Check your numbers: Look at your sales from last year. How many people bought more than once? If it’s less than 20%, you have a massive opportunity. 2. Set up a 'Welcome' email: If someone signs up for your list or buys something, send them a series of 3 emails over the next week. Introduce yourself, tell your story, and give them a reason to come back. 3. Bundle your top sellers: Take your best-selling item and pair it with something small and useful. Put it on your front page today.
The Honest Truth About Results
This isn't a 'get rich quick' scheme. You won't see your bank account double overnight. It takes about 3 to 6 months to really see the 'compounding' effect of repeat customers.
But unlike ads, which stop working the second you stop paying, these systems keep working forever. It’s like planting a fruit tree instead of buying a piece of fruit. It takes time to grow, but once it does, it feeds you for years.
Most Brisbane business owners are too distracted by the 'latest thing' to do the basics well. If you focus on making your current customers feel like royalty, you’ll beat 90% of your competition without even trying.
Need Help Plugging the Leaks?
At Local Marketing Group, we don't care about 'likes' or 'engagement.' We care about whether your business is making money. We help Brisbane business owners stop wasting money on ads that don't convert and start building stores that actually grow your wealth.
If you're tired of the 'treadmill' and want to build a business that works for you, let’s have a chat. We’ll look at your store, find where the money is leaking out, and help you fix it.
Ready to grow? Contact us at lmgroup.au/contact and let’s get to work.