Why Most Brisbane Online Shops Are Leaking Cash
If you run an online store in Brisbane, you’ve probably felt the sting lately. Facebook ads are getting more expensive, Google is charging more for every click, and the cost of shipping isn't getting any cheaper. Most business owners I talk to are stuck in a cycle: they spend money to get a customer, make a small profit (or even break even), and then never see that customer again.
That is a recipe for a stressful business. You are essentially on a treadmill that keeps getting faster.
I’ve seen this time and again with local e-commerce brands from Fortitude Valley to North Lakes. They focus 100% of their energy on "getting new people to the site." But the real money isn't in the first sale; it's in the second, third, and tenth sale. If you want to actually take home a decent profit at the end of the month, you need to make more from existing customers rather than constantly paying Mark Zuckerberg for new ones.
In this post, I’m going to compare three different ways to get your customers to spend more money with you. I’ll tell you what works, what’s a waste of time, and how to get started.
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Strategy 1: The "Bigger Basket" Approach (Bundling)
The easiest way to make more money is to ensure that when someone does buy, they buy more. If it costs you $15 in advertising to get someone to your site, you’d much rather they spend $100 than $40.
How it works:
Instead of selling a single bottle of beard oil or one pair of socks, you group related items together. You offer a "Starter Kit" or a "Value Pack."The Reality:
I worked with a boutique skincare brand in Paddington that was struggling because their average order was only $35. After shipping and ads, they were making about $2 per order. We helped them create "Routine Packs"—cleanser, toner, and moisturiser sold as one unit. Their average sale jumped to $85. Their shipping costs stayed almost the same, but their profit tripled.You can see a massive difference when you use product bundles to increase the value of every single checkout. It’s the "Do you want fries with that?" of the online world, and it works.
Cost: Free (just a bit of your time to set up the products). Results: Immediate. You’ll see the average sale price go up the day you launch it. Verdict: Do this first. It’s a no-brainer.
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Strategy 2: The "Predictable Income" Approach (Subscriptions)
This is the holy grail of business. Imagine waking up on the 1st of the month and knowing you’ve already made $10,000 because of recurring orders.
How it works:
If you sell something people use up (coffee, soap, pet food, vitamins, even air filters), you offer a "Subscribe and Save" option. The customer gets a 10% discount, and you get a guaranteed sale every month without spending another cent on ads.The Reality:
Most business owners are scared of giving a discount. They think, "Why would I give away 10% of my margin?" My answer is always: "Because you’re currently spending 30% of your margin to find a new customer every time!"I’d tell my mate to build predictable monthly income every single time over chasing one-off sales. It makes your business worth more if you ever decide to sell it, and it keeps your cash flow steady during the quiet months (like the post-Christmas slump we often see in QLD).
Cost: Small monthly fee for a subscription app (usually $20–$50/month). Results: Takes 3–6 months to build a significant base. Verdict: Best for long-term survival and peace of mind.
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Strategy 3: The "Stay in Touch" Approach (Email & SMS)
This is where most Brisbane businesses fail. They collect an email address at checkout and then... do nothing. Or worse, they only send an email when they’re having a 50% off sale.
How it works:
You set up automated messages. When someone buys, they get a "Thank You" note. Two weeks later, they get a "How is it going?" note. A month later, they get a "Time to restock?" note with a small incentive.The Reality:
Email is basically free money. If you have a list of 1,000 people who have bought from you before, sending a well-timed email can generate thousands of dollars in a weekend. You don't need to be a professional writer. You just need to be helpful.I’ve seen a local hardware supplier use simple SMS reminders to tradesmen when it was time to replenish their consumables. The response was huge because it solved a problem for the customer—they didn't have to remember to order.
Cost: Free to low cost (depending on how many customers you have). Results: Fast. Usually within 24 hours of sending an email.
- Verdict: If you aren't doing this, you are leaving money on the table for your competitors to grab.
Which one should you choose?
If you’re busy (and I know you are), don't try to do all three this weekend. Here is the order I’d do them in:
1. Bundles: Go into your website right now and create a "Best Sellers Bundle." It takes 20 minutes and costs nothing. 2. Email: Set up one simple automated email that goes out 30 days after someone buys, suggesting they come back for more. 3. Subscriptions: If your product allows for it, look into a subscription model once your bundles are working.
What is a waste of money?
Avoid "Loyalty Programs" that require customers to earn points to get a $5 voucher three years from now. Most customers find them annoying, and they don't actually drive sales for small businesses. They just add technical headaches to your website. Stick to the three strategies above—they are direct, they make sense to the customer, and they put cash in your bank account faster.
Also, stop obsessing over "branding" and fancy logos if your current customers aren't buying twice. A prettier logo won't make someone buy more beard oil; a well-timed email or a great value bundle will.
Summary of Timelines and Costs
| Strategy | Setup Cost | Time to Results | Effort |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bundling | $0 | Immediate | Low |
| Email Automation | $0 - $50/mo | 1 - 7 Days | Medium |
| Subscriptions | $20 - $100/mo | 3 - 6 Months | High |
Let's Get Your Business Growing
At the end of the day, marketing isn't about being clever or using the latest tech. It’s about making sure that every customer you work so hard to get is worth as much as possible to your business. If you can move your average customer from spending $50 once to spending $500 over a year, your life changes. You can afford better staff, more stock, and maybe even a holiday away from the business.
If you're a Brisbane business owner looking to stop the "one-off sale" cycle and start building a real, profitable asset, we can help. We don't do fluff; we do results.
Ready to grow your sales? Contact Local Marketing Group today and let’s talk about a plan that actually works.