As mentioned below in other answers, there is a lot of competition. Why should people buy from you?
Before you go ahead with your idea you need to know exactly why. This is perhaps the single most important step in any business creation. This is what "added value" or "point of difference" is, along with a whole swathe of other names. Without it, you're guaranteed to fail.
Some example of features that give added value in your case would be: higher quality drink than other brands. Delivering where other brands don't. Cheaper drinks/delivery than other brands (not ideal though). Harder to find drinks. A larger range of drinks. A more secure website.
Notice I said features. I didn't specify what the value was exactly, but you can figure it out, for example a larger range of drinks= people being able to sample a more diverse range and expanding their knowledge=them being cooler around their friends because they're known as "the beer guy" (this last part is where the value lies for your customer). This should give you a good idea of how the thought process goes. After awhile you get good at spotting these things, and can reverse engineer it to go from what someone wants, to how it would look like in a business. Side note: if you can do this perfectly, you'll be a very rich man, guaranteed.
The list of value adding things, and where value originally comes from (which is wanting to be "the beer guy" everyone loves in the above example) is super extensive. Brands like Gucci and Prada add value simply by being known as luxurious and expensive, which makes people feel special. Apple added value by appealing to people who are artistic and wanted to go against the status quo etc (that's pretty generalised to be honest, but you get what I mean). This doesn't necessarily apply to you, but you can see that "adding value" covers a broad range of thinking, and therefore something you should spend a long time thinking about.
Don't get scared off. Once you've solidly determined what will give your company value, go full steam ahead. Also remember that if you don't feel good about an idea, don't be afraid to chuck it out.
Hope that helps and good luck to you on any and all future business ventures!
Why not try it on a trial basis. Your 2 big challenges are acquiring good ale and finding good customers, if you can sort that out then you could be on to a winner.
Your business idea is viable for every business source. But it is viable for delivered business and monthly business ratio.
your competition is a million other companies
also, shipping will add an arm and a leg to your costs,, remember people can pick up beer at specialty stores.
It must be a viable idea since there are more than 1,000 companies already doing exactly what you're proposing.
yeh seems a good idea what price though
I am considering starting an online business which allows people to have a selection of beers and ales delivered to them on a monthly basis. The idea is that customers will pay a monthly subscription rate and they will receive a number of different drinks each month. The customer wont know what they will be receiving until their package comes and once they have sampled the different drinks they can then rate them and buy additional bottles online to go alongside their next delivery. Any feedback on this would be greatly appreciated.
