Nick Swinmurn, founder of web-based shoe seller Zappos.com, is inviting us to step into his shoes and see the online marketplace from his successful perspective. Nick has bridged the “convenience gap” with great customer service.
Read Nick Swinmurn's key move about great customer service.
Q & A with Nick Swinmurn
1. What makes Zappos.com successful? What's the secret sauce?!
Focusing on the customer experience - our customers and the word of mouth they've spread about Zappos have been the biggest reasons for our success. We realize that and are focused on continually doing whatever we can to improve their experience.
2. Is the Internet still a viable place to base a startup?
Absolutely! I can't think of a channel with more possibilities ahead than the Internet.
3. For the first-time online entrepreneur, what 3 tips can you provide?
Commit - start moving forward today. Don't be greedy. Do what feels right.
4. What's the best way to create awareness (and demand) for an e-commerce website?
We've found word-of-mouth to be the most effective way.
About Nick Swinmurn
Chairman and Founder, Zappos.com
Nick Swinmurn began his Internet career in 1997 as a marketing manager at Autoweb.com, where he learned enough to realize that his destiny lay in creating his own e-commerce site. He became the webmaster at Silicon Graphics the following year, and founded Zappos.com in 1999. Zappos.com quickly became the most popular shoe store on the Web.
Swinmurn is a California native who graduated from the University of California, Santa Barbara in 1996 with a degree in Film Studies. Prior to his e-business ventures, he worked for the San Diego Padres. A frequent contributor to industry panels, Swinmurn is often quoted in Footwear News, the leading industry trade publication.