How do I check a bookstore’s online sales and its shipping setup?

Ask first that online sales be shown separately. Compare order volume with the store’s overall activity, and look at returns, damage and refunds. Include the cost of packaging, postage and staff time. Shipping that is offered free or cheaply may erase the margin on small orders, and you can only see this if the costs are listed.

Then check ownership and access. Who controls the website, the domain name and the accounts for payments and marketplaces? If they are in the owner’s personal name or tied to one login, you need a plan to move them. Ask who builds listings, who updates stock levels and whether the inventory in the system matches the shelves.

Finally, observe the process. Pick, pack and ship a few orders alongside the staff. Note how long it takes, how errors are caught and what happens with a late or lost parcel. Ask how customers find the site and whether that traffic depends on one marketplace or search ranking. Your accountant can verify the online figures against payments received. Ask for samples of customer messages about late or damaged parcels, because they show how the service feels from outside.

Key takeaways

• Get online sales, returns and shipping costs separated from the store’s.
• Confirm who owns the website, domain and payment or marketplace accounts.
• Follow a few orders from shelf to parcel to see the real effort.