NationStates Jolt Archive

Moderators, if this thread is in the wrong place, please feel free to move it.

Over the five-plus months I've played NS, I've seen a great many storefronts for anything from ships to civilian supplies. Some storefronts get very little to no traffic, while others receive frequent orders.

Before I created a military storefront (the Portland Iron Works (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=345001)), I had a civilian ships-oriented storefront (the Wilmington Shipyard Corporation (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=322518)) that had some attention, but not all that much. One OOC reason I didn't post the Portland Iron Works storefront for a long time is because I didn't think it would do well against other storefronts.

What do you think separates the best storefronts from the rest? Is it presentation? Is it feasibility? Or is there something else that you think makes for a better storefront? When I finally put the Portland Iron Works up, I decided to mimic some of what I considered the best practices of my favourite storefronts (such as Isselmere's, Granzi's and Praetonia's).

Any storefront owner or anyone else familiar with storefronts would be welcome to provide feedback.

product representation- if you have good products you got business, make sure they are the top of the line, 2 rate wont cut it.

Thanks for the comment, but what in your mind constitutes a "good" product? Is it RL feasibility? Is it anything that has some degree of possibility (even if remote)?

I know I have my ideas of what makes for a good storefront, but I'd like to see other thoughts as well. I might be able to cull these into constructive suggestions to improve my storefronts.

storefront?

storefront?

A for of RP Trading. You'll see threads called "So and So's Military Storefront" where you buy equipment from nations.

Well, Sarzonia, I think a storefront needs to have something unique about it. Maybe, it sells domesticly made productions like Praetonia's. Maybe you have every modern vehicle and gun around. With mine, although it's new and hasn't that that many sales, it sells almost exclusivly all-Soviet/Russian equipment (There is a bit of Western stuff too).

That's just my opinion. And slight bit of shamless advertising... :)

Tag for interest

I've recently done some one-product stores, mostly with agricultural/logistical vehicles, since I don't like exporting my military tech to anyone but mygood friends via TG, and I don't like to be famous for my big shiny guns, but rather more peaceful stuff.

But I haven't been getting much patronage, even though I'm pretty sure I'm the only one on NS selling the vehicles in question, and they definately fill a niche. I have been getitng a few orders, however, but only a few. I don't know what's wrong. Is it plausibility? Are people just more inclined to buy weapons of war?

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=353009

That's the link for my MT-T Mk. II and PTS series tracked multirole transporters, and there's links on there for the MLV-2 medium truck and MT-3 small tractor/light delivery vehicle.

I'm not sure. Wilmington Shipyard Corporation was dormant for a long time because of lack of orders and got a mini-spike some time after the Jolt move. That storefront is more of a niche-filler with civilian-oriented ships, so I guess niche stores have their customers.

The Portland Iron Works hasn't been on that long, but it's gotten a good share of orders (and the last two have been very large), so I'm not sure what the difference is. Perhaps it's just because I'm selling a larger variety of ships?

Yeah, perhaps if I sell a larger variety of vehicles, but I don't really have any source of other vehicles.

It seems to be a sad but true fact that most nations on NS seem to only focus on the limited aspects of war and combat. I've been running a civilian tech storefront since April, and I'm only now receiving significant orders since implementing a custom products workshop.

Even though I try to stay as far away from military technology (because a nation is infinitely more than its military) nearly all of my custom projects have been for pure military (but non offensive) use. However Designwerks will never produce weapons which would be used in anger, no matter how small our market share will become.

I made some one item stores when I was a newb, but they never really sold. It's odd because when I go back they are actually quite well presented and one of them (my hovercraft IFV) was pretty much original. My first group 'storefront' (Feles Industries) did ok but not particularly well, my new store, Imperial Praetonian Shipyards, has done comparitively brilliantly. Ive found that RL tech seems to sell quite well, whereas home-made stuff doesnt so much, but can do brilliantly. Im not sure why. Also dont base your storefront entirely in the International Mall as they dont seem to do too well (eg: IPS on NS: $8-10 trillion IPS on IM: $200 - 500bn).

I am in the process of creating a joint military/civilian storefront, all focusing on maritime equipment, ships, etc.

Everything I have is home-made, though about half of them are just slightly modified versions of real ships, some of the rest are just real ships with different names and radar, and the rest are completely original.

I personally like organized presentation in a storefront. After seeing Imperial Praetonian Shipyards, I took a leaf out of Praetonia's book and began re-formatting Hybalt Shipyards. A good storefront for me is one where I can go into and find what I want easily and effectively.

Pictures. The better looking the pictures, the more business you'll get. That's how I shop anyway...

Pictures. The better looking the pictures, the more business you'll get. That's how I shop anyway...

Pictures can be great for the high speed folks, but for the 56K crew, that may be a hindrance rather than a benefit. That's why I usually try to post the pics as links instead of images.

I tend to read the descriptions for feasibility when I shop.

Pictures can be great for the high speed folks, but for the 56K crew, that may be a hindrance rather than a benefit. That's why I usually try to post the pics as links instead of images.

I tend to read the descriptions for feasibility when I shop.
I am of the 56k Crew ya homey >_>

A few things Ive noticed about the popular storefronts:

1) Don't be fooled by what seem to be very popular threads. You will notice upon clicking them that three quarters of the posts are made by the storefront owner bumping his own store. I have yet to see one storefront making dozens of sales a day.

2) The standard of storefront depicts what clients you will get. Nice, detailed, cleanly presented information and appropriate pictures will get the players who have the most respect in the forums buying there. A half a page of spelling and grammatical errors will get you Sephrioth.

3) American RL equipment sells best. This can be put down in part to new nations who don't know better.

4) Conventional designs only sell well if you are considered an NS 'expert' in designing the equipment you sell, and even then the number of units you will shift wont be spectacular.

5) Tanks, fighters, and battleships sell best. People want their RAWR METAL PEN1S!!!11111.

6) If you fill a niche market, expect only a few of the more developed nations to come browsing. Uneducated players dont give didly squat about your tractor.

7) The more well known as a good player you are, the more people will visit your storefront. A link in your sig helps as well for those rushed for time.

From what I've found from my months with ESAA:

*The more you write the more you sell
*Small Arms storefronts never sell
*Pics give the thread a "Wow!" factor
*Chinese stuff doesn't sell
*Original designs aren't as popular as RL designs

I think the reason that civilian equipment doesn't sell as well as military equipment is that most nations, myself included, simply assume that my own nation will manufacture most civilian equipment that my nation will need, and that any non-domestically produced civilian equipment is simply acquired through generic trade. Whereas most nations are constantly trying to keep their military on the cutting edge, so they are always out searching for new equipment to keep their army well supplied and armed. I'll admit that I'm very martially-oriented, mostly because I imagine that if my nation needs farm equipment or commercial oil tankers, they will be contracted out and produced in house rather than sending those expensive contracts to foriegn businesses.

Another, more OOC reason is because I always like to have my military quantified through storefronts in case someone doesn't believe I have so and so many battleships, aircraft carriers, APCs, etc. In the case of my friend whom I RP with alot through TGs, if I can't provide a link to where I RPed the creation of a warship or fighter jet, I don't have it. (He's a bit of a bitch with these sort of things) Therefore, I always like to get my military equipment through storefronts, so if he says, "How do you have that battleship?" I can throw him a link to shut him up. It's a bit of a safety precaution. However, on the other hand, other people rarely care how you got that backhoe or cruise ship. So I care less about quantifying those sorts of things.

That's interesting, because I made my storefronts primarily to store stats for my home made military units, and sales have just been a bonus.

*bump*

I personally like organized presentation in a storefront. After seeing Imperial Praetonian Shipyards, I took a leaf out of Praetonia's book and began re-formatting Hybalt Shipyards. A good storefront for me is one where I can go into and find what I want easily and effectively.

Here is something that hits upon a suggestion I have for any prospective storefront owner.

Look at the other storefronts out there. Find one or two that seem to be the really good storefronts and look at how they do things. Adding a touch of professionalism to a storefront will make yours one that people will want to emulate or buy from.

When I put the Portland Iron Works (url=http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=345001) out there, I did so after thinking about the three storefronts I buy from the most (Isselmere's (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=315916), Praetonia's (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=332455), and Granzi's (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=339662). I decided to think about what I considered their best practices and I tried to emulate some of those best practices in PIW.

*bump*

I've always assumed that any Nation over 100 million can simply make whatever the hell it likes, and any nation under 100 million shouldn't be engaging in large scale wars and things anyway, or if they are, then they're not buying enough equipment to bother RPing it... (Maybe a dozen tanks, 24 aircraft, 200,000 AK-47s, and that's about it...)

Packages. for me packages get me to buy stuff from People's stores. Packages end up allowing a customer to be a little Lazy but it also gives them a balanced group of whatever they need to buy. I also like creativity, having something the rest of NS may not have makes one feel important and makes one's storefront special. At one time last year, about late june/early august 03 I was the only one selling JSF's that i knew of. They never took off with me but now it seems to be one of the more used fighters. more to come later from my rambling mouth ("RAMBLE ON!")

I've always assumed that any Nation over 100 million can simply make whatever the hell it likes, and any nation under 100 million shouldn't be engaging in large scale wars and things anyway, or if they are, then they're not buying enough equipment to bother RPing it... (Maybe a dozen tanks, 24 aircraft, 200,000 AK-47s, and that's about it...)
I think this is where economy comes into it. I mean the UK, France, Germany, pre Gulf War Iraq, Isreal... they all have under 100 million people. THey aren't "godmodding" to have some of the best militaries in the world. I think too much emphasis is put on size over economy. In the real world 3billion + nations with basket case or similar economies would have trouble invading a 60 million nation with thriving +. I agree the 3bil would defend itself quite easily, but it would have little to no power projection capability.

EDIT: On Illior's point, Im not sure if too many experienced players buy RL tech, as they can make it themselves.

EDIT: On Illior's point, Im not sure if too many experienced players buy RL tech, as they can make it themselves.
True Prae, very true that's why I said creativity as one, though sometimes i buy RL equipment and I've been around since Very late may very early June 03 because it's sometimes Cheaper to buy them than produce them. another thing is competitive pricing. Most companies these days have a policy that says "if another store has a price less than ours, we'll match it." another thing most stores forget is that Logistics are just as important as the men who are fighting.

True Prae, very true that's why I said creativity as one, though sometimes i buy RL equipment and I've been around since Very late may very early June 03 because it's sometimes Cheaper to buy them than produce them. another thing is competitive pricing. Most companies these days have a policy that says "if another store has a price less than ours, we'll match it." another thing most stores forget is that Logistics are just as important as the men who are fighting.I don't know if it's necessarily that they "forget" logistics. I think some people assume they already have the logistical equipment in place or they can produce it themselves. Then again, I think some people do forget.

I'll add a few non-combat ships to the PIW once I merge Wilmington Shipyard Corporation into it.

I think this is where economy comes into it. I mean the UK, France, Germany, pre Gulf War Iraq, Isreal... they all have under 100 million people. THey aren't "godmodding" to have some of the best militaries in the world. I think too much emphasis is put on size over economy. In the real world 3billion + nations with basket case or similar economies would have trouble invading a 60 million nation with thriving +. I agree the 3bil would defend itself quite easily, but it would have little to no power projection capability.

EDIT: On Illior's point, Im not sure if too many experienced players buy RL tech, as they can make it themselves.

I was thinking about that, today. I can't help thinking that if PR China was replicated in NS, it'd be stomping about with carrier battle fleets and what not. There is a bit too much emphasis put on population, generally, because hey, China can't afford to support carrier battle fleets, but it has over a billion residents.
As for the power projection thing, I couldn't agree much more. Al Khals has just begun to learn this at great expense after attacking its larger 3rd world neighbour, which couldn't put more than a few hundred men anywhere over seas, but sure as hell can defend its own soil.
Ah, storefronts? Oh yeah. Uhm, Al Khals has acquired most of its military equipment from real world sources ranging from the former Soviet Union to Brazil. I can't help thinking that running a successful storefront must become quite a tedius strain, after a few weeks, no? I'd rather do business on an individual basis- Al Khals has exported a number of Omar Class light patrol frigates, but has no established storefront or such export programme.
All right, I'm way off track, now.

I think this is where economy comes into it. I mean the UK, France, Germany, pre Gulf War Iraq, Isreal... they all have under 100 million people. THey aren't "godmodding" to have some of the best militaries in the world. I think too much emphasis is put on size over economy. In the real world 3billion + nations with basket case or similar economies would have trouble invading a 60 million nation with thriving +. I agree the 3bil would defend itself quite easily, but it would have little to no power projection capability.

EDIT: On Illior's point, Im not sure if too many experienced players buy RL tech, as they can make it themselves.

When I say 100million, I'm using the NS Benchmark. The RL populations of Nations have no relevance in NS, IMO- as you say, the UK, Germany, France, Australia, Israel, et al all have under 100m populations, but some very advanced and funky military hardware...

Well if you dont base it off of RL what do you base it on? I mean most 2bil + nations in NS also have frightening econs (better than the US) so it makes sense, but really people should be more afraid of your GDP than of your population.

My first storefront, Dbts/C Did spectacularly well for a week or two, then kind of peetered out. We did well because all of our stuff was innovative, none of it was RL, and we attempted to inject as much humor into the products as possible. Does anyone really need a thermite tipped pike? Of course not, but we sold a couple of million. Same with Fuel Air Grenades-For those with strong throwing armes. A saboted flechette launcher for killing battle-armor. Not to mention nearly all of our stuff was delivered on muleback or in leaky tramp steamers and came with free 'I'm an Autocrat' stickers and crates of trout in white wine reduction.

What really makes me mad is that no one ever buys enough ammunition. Come on people, you need at least 10 000 rounds per gun.

You have thermite tipped pikes and fuel air grenades? Where can I buy? Wait that would take effort... *copies*

PATENT INFRINGMENT!! PATENT INFRINGMENT!!! Look on my SF. And for everyone not in The New Commonwealth, it's http://tncforums.proboards34.com/index.cgi?board=DCA&action=display&num=1090089652

TAG

OOC: Some good tips for a minor storefrontman just like myself.

*bump*

What attracts me to storefronts is the amount of detail put into it. I quite like the ones that have technical details below the item they are selling, and a picture of the item, I think it gives it that more realism.

Also, storefronts that sell things at bargain prices. :)

And friendliness from the person/nation you are buying off helps too, so you don't feel so much as a idiot when you get the calculations wrong lol

What attracts me to storefronts is the amount of detail put into it. I quite like the ones that have technical details below the item they are selling, and a picture of the item, I think it gives it that more realism.

Also, storefronts that sell things at bargain prices. :)

And friendliness from the person/nation you are buying off helps too, so you don't feel so much as a idiot when you get the calculations wrong lol

Yeah, the detail is what attracted me to the RSIN storefront (Isselmere's). It was so well put together that I decided that was the first place I would "buy" ships. It also was one of the inspirations behind the expansion of the Portland Iron Works. Another thing that drew me to Isselmere's storefront was the professionalism there. Yes, it's a game. Yes, it's fantasy. But customer service counts for something.

I've seen the good elements mentioned in the three storefronts I've bought the most from (Isselmere's, Granzi's and Praetonia's) and I've tried to bring those elements into my own.

(Tag for review)

Yeah, perhaps if I sell a larger variety of vehicles, but I don't really have any source of other vehicles.

Clicky (http://www.army-technology.com/); Clicky (http://www.naval-technology.com/); Clicky (http://www.airforce-technology.com). You have links to army technology, naval technology, and air force technology websites. I use the naval one extensively when I'm planning new ships for my storefront.

Another great source, though fabulously expensive, is Jane's (http://www.janes.com).

http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=358181

For other military-related links.

With that said, I know with my storefront Lightning Stryke Industries I end up looking over what info I can gather when it comes to vehicles, systems, and the sort and help use that data to feed innto my own ideas. A bit of a combination.

Of course I'm reworking my storefront due to Jolt's picture limit and a needing to update specs and the sort.

Though with that said how do you feel about storefronts that have the info organzied on a message board?

Though with that said how do you feel about storefronts that have the info organzied on a message board?[/size]
Personally, I like it, but it can be a pain in the you know what to point someone else there to confirm you've purchased something elsewhere. For instance, if I made a massive purchase on the International Mall (http://s6.invisionfree.com/International_Mall) and my opponent didn't see it, he could say I was Godmoding until I sent him a URL with the confirmation. It could be a lot easier to say "check out Isselmere's storefront. You'll see I bought it and it was confirmed," and refer to the one on NS.

Another drawback is that if you're compiling your numbers for the Fortune Magazine, you'd have more than one place to go to total up your orders, which makes more work for you.

In other words, I have mixed feelings about it, but I have Portland Iron Works set up both ways.

*bump*

(This ties in with the storefront code of conduct (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=359981) IMO. Perhaps they can be merged somehow?)

These are some more suggestions, some of which may be repeats or restatements of prior points. Hopefully, this will add additional emphasis to the points already made and will strengthen your storefronts.

First thing's first
If you're looking to start a storefront on NationStates, your best bet is to wait at least a month or two into your time on NationStates before you start one. A country in the NS world with a population of 6 million is not going to have advanced technologies such as FTL drives or advanced cutting beams. In the NS world, countries that size usually have hand-me-down fighters or ships. Also, like I mentioned in my thread (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=353535)about respect, it takes time to earn respect. You are not going to become the foremost NS expert on tank warfare until you've gained a track record in RPing that or until you've put designs out there that people respect.

Unique designs or RL copies?
I've seen storefronts where there are ships or tanks that are RL ships or tanks and are labeled as such. I've seen storefronts where there are RL designs that are simply renamed. I've also seen designs that either don't exist IRL or are slight modifications of RL designs. Which one is better? In my opinion, it's in the eye of the RPer. Some people are particularly interested in realism and technology that either exists now or could be used right now (as in October 18, 2004, when this addendum was written). Some people use technology that is feasible now, but wouldn't actually be implemented until about 2010 or 2015.

Where do I stand on the issue? Well, most of the designs in the Portland Iron Works (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=345001) or in the Avalon Aerospace Corporation (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=365142) are based on real life designs. There are certain exceptions, but for the most part, my preference is to create a design that is unique. It may be based on a RL ship with some specifications changed around or some areas emphasized differently, but it's my unique spin on the design. To me, that's more creative than using something that already exists, though it's not as creative as completely designing your own technology.

What I do in most cases is include information about what RL designs I'm basing my own designs on. In many cases, I try to explain what I do differently in my design. Sometimes, I'll use one of my designs or another design and do something different with it and I'll explain that. In some of the designs I've done that are unique, I'll explain the concept behind the design.

Where to go for more advice
I am hardly the foremost expert on storefronts. I've had one storefront that was moderately successful at best and one storefront that has completely taken off. However, I've observed many storefronts and I've seen some common threads among the more successful storefronts.

Customer Service Is Important
Yes, this is a game. Yes, there's no real money changing hands. But the principles behind good customer service in the RL world apply to NationStates. The storefronts that I think have done particularly well pay attention to their customers. In most cases, they contact their customers as soon as possible to either confirm an order or deny an order and then explain their reason for denying the order. Some people expect RP for this. Others don't.

Account for backlogs/expansion, etc.
Storefronts that make 1,000 ships instantly available without accounting for time of construction, sea trials, and the amount of work involved in building so many ships are more than likely going to be considered Godmoders and will not draw the discerning customer. By the same token, countries that don't account for increasing numbers of orders by building more construction facilities to accomodate increasing orders occasionally alienate that serious RPing customer. In the business world, most companies that do well financially are not going to just pocket the money without paying attention to the increaing demands on their production levels. They're going to spend their money to grow their businesses. Shipyards respond to greater demand by building more yards or hiring more workers. Chipotle responds to long lines by opening more locations. McDonald's responds to increasing demands by adding locations and by offering more menu items. Some of those things help the realism of your storefront.

Pricing
One problem with storefronts that I've seen crop up over and over is absurdly low or high prices on equipment. The days of the $1 million fighter jet came and went before I was even born. I wouldn't spend $100 billion on an aircraft carrier unless there were some newly-discovered metal that allows it to survive a nuclear bomb. Most of those ridiculously high/low prices will result in your losing respect as an RPer. Granted, pricing stuff can be tricky if you're not attuned to the cost of equipment. It's something that I still haven't perfected. But my suggestion here is to ask around. Explain what your design is and find out if the price you're suggesting is reasonable. You have to consider how much it costs to construct your design in materials, manpower, payment for facilities, etc. You also have to figure out something that will give you a reasonable profit.

Some Examples of What To Do
This is where you come in. I have my ideas of storefronts that I would recommend and why, but I'd like to hear from other people and find out what it is they like about particular storefronts. This is your chance to give a shout-out to your favorite candy store! ;)

I have a question. What if you are trying to sell retail and travel space for an airport? How would that type of storfront work?

I like your attack on ultra-low prices. They are, in my opinion, worse than really high prices. Really high prices just mean you wont sell much, low prices drives people who realistically price out of business and give very economically challenged nations cutting edge tech.

I'm definitely going to use these suggestions in my next storefront(a naval storefront, does anyone know where I could get it proofread?).

I have a question. What if you are trying to sell retail and travel space for an airport? How would that type of storefront work?I believe there are some similiarities with the other storefronts. In your case, your product is the retail and travel space. You would probably be "selling" a lease to companies. It might either be a set price or you might charge more for prime locations (such as high-traffic areas or locations of the most frequently travelled airlines).

As far as specific policies go, within reason, they're up to you. You could also follow the Storefront Code of Conduct (http://forums.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=359981) since there are several sections that apply to your store type.

I'm definitely going to use these suggestions in my next storefront(a naval storefront, does anyone know where I could get it proofread?). In terms of finding out if your technology is feasible or your prices are reasonable? You might ask if storefront owners are willing to look over your storefront for you for that. Great Mateo used to post in storefronts a lot when he would tell people when their tech was unrealistic or their prices were too low or too high. I haven't seen him post much lately, though.

As for me, as a member of the Organisation of Maritime Powers, I sometimes post new ships I'm getting ready to debut in the Portland Iron Works there to get feedback on them. There are some more veteran navy people there who give good advice.

I like your attack on ultra-low prices. They are, in my opinion, worse than really high prices. Really high prices just mean you won't sell much, low prices drives people who realistically price out of business and give very economically challenged nations cutting edge tech.Low prices in themselves are a Godmod because ships cost money to build, let alone buy. You have to pay for parts, labour, cost of leasing the shipyards, etc. to construct the ship. If you sell a ship for $1 million, you're more than likely going to be losing money on it.

Unrealistically low prices also do what you mentioned. At the very least, they make it difficult for the legitimate storefronts to survive. At worst, they drive them completely out of business.

Well, here are some of my observations on this:

1. RL tech sells better than fictional designs

2. Tech perceived as modern sells better than anything else

3. US equipment sells best

4. Comprehensive packages are the most popular, as they allow players to get a structured force without having to do any real research. As such, multitrillion deals aren't unheard of.

5. Too many (or too large) pics tend to drive many potential customers away. Most notably, no one likes having to scroll horizontally to read something.

6. The more respected the player, the more respected the units.

7. Threads for individual units tend to get more repeat customers. Threads with a good selection tend to get more new customers.

8. Any store thread claiming the best of anything or the lowest prices will almost certainly be a very bad one.

I'm definitely going to use these suggestions in my next storefront(a naval storefront, does anyone know where I could get it proofread?).
Some Info on Naval Vessels (http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=292413) would be a good place. You could make your own thread as well, but if you post in an established thread like that, it's less likely to get overlooked.

*bump*

What about an IC warranty? :)

I am considering starting a storefront dealing only in vehicles of my own design. Will it work? I am already distributing one plane in its own thread, but nobody has bought it yet.

I think it depends. Some players only deal in current RL technology (hence the reliance on US-built equipment by a lot of RPers), so those folks are generally not going to be swayed by anything that isn't currently on the market right now. Other players are more prone to buy original equipment and those people are the ones you would likely see.

The biggest thing in my book is the level of respect you get as a RPer. As Clan Smoke Jaguar said earlier, the more respect you have as an RPer, the more sales you will get. Along these lines, if you are known as someone with a particular leaning toward army combat, you would be more likely to move army units (such as tanks, artillery pieces, guns, etc) than other forces. If you're seen as an "expert" by other RPers, people will come to you.

If you're talking about civilian equipment or non-combat equipment, you may find some of the more developed and (again) more respected RPers come your way, but most people assume they have all the logistics they need and only buy combat equipment. It's unfortunate, but it's a fact of NS.

Hope this was of help to you!

Jay industries specialises in homemade, low cost military machinery. I have designed the B-1 and T-1 Bomber/transport plane (they have the same chassis) and am working on a 4x4. For the record, I use PTC ProDesktop.

I think that you need to show that you actually believe in your storefront. Most people sell the same old US/Russian tech so thats kinda hard. I sell only Israeli tech, so I made a whole thread about selling my entire army in order to make way for Israeli arms only. This showed people that I actually believe in my weapons. Also, marketing is important. I held a wargames (in theory, though it never took off) to promote the storefront. I promised all competitors 10% off. You can also promise the first 5 nations X% off. Just some ideas.

I wonder if a thread where I advertise 'upgraded' soviet aircraft would be good?

I mean, the MiG-21 does have a very low operating cost, long airframe service life, high reliability, and with applied upgrades would probably still be a contender when it comes to fighter aircraft.

I wonder if a thread where I advertise 'upgraded' soviet aircraft would be good?

I mean, the MiG-21 does have a very low operating cost, long airframe service life, high reliability, and with applied upgrades would probably still be a contender when it comes to fighter aircraft.I think if you clearly explain the upgrades, you have a chance. I'm sure at worst the market for Russian-made war equipment is a niche market that can keep food on the table for you.

One thing to keep in mind is that the convention for copyrights for modifications to RL equipment is a little bit more challenging than the yes/no of unique equipment/RL equipment. The MODIFICATIONS can be copyrighted, but the actual EQUIPMENT can't.

bump

I have two small store fronts.

1 specialising in small naval bits and pieces and a single aircraft. In the next few weeks I'll be adding another fighter and a transport vessel.

I think its reflective of where my nation stands in the scheme of things.

two interest in my naval storefront.

I opened another storefront with logists and supply services with a bit of cheek added. It has done OK business.

In the meantime I have tried to start contracts worth 100 billion in purchases (none to date).

I try and RP realistically, but I think a sence of humour counts for alittle if not a lot!

(see my storefront and see what you think

http://forums2.jolt.co.uk/showthread.php?t=389178)

Since I've noticed a few new storefronts cropping up, I figured this would still be relevant.

*bump*

Eh. my new storefront's not getting any traffic. I can't tell if that's because it only has a few products right now or because it treats jet engines as new and ground-breaking technology (being geared for past-techers like LRR has become).

I just have to laugh when I read the first page of this topic. Hallad - who has (had?) my favorite storefront around - is quoted at saying that he has had little success in his storefront. NOw, over a year later, Hallad's Storefront has well over 55 pages (at least that is the number I remember) of purchases, and stands as the pinnacle of excelent documentation (in my mind) for a RL Storefront.

First off I have to say that I shop in places with creditability and also with a variety of choices especially places with packages.

Second, could someone help me. I recently opened a storefront called Tylon Aerospace Industries, which sells military aircrafts of all sort. I currently have a good variety of aircrafts, yet no one buys from me. I've designed my frontpage pretty prefessionally, I've given the service of designing and building aircrafts for nations, am in the process of adding RL aircrafts, do good size write-ups, in the process of making pictures for all the aircrafts, and have a few packages but no one except two allies have bought from the storefront. I don't understand what I'm doing wrong. Could someone tell me something I'm doing wrong?

Thank You :)

so were do i go to make a storefront i don't get how to start one up or were to go to start one up