Setting Up Online Store

1. Take the plunge

eCommerce business is as serious as any other business. The advantage it offers though is access to a lot of simplified information available on the internet about setting up that kind of a business and the ease of completing the compliance requirements, unlike a brick and mortar store. Before you take the plunge to start selling online, ask yourself why you want to do, what you want to do. Then, focus on those responses, conduct a reality check for yourself before you indulge in this business. To all aspiring eCommerce merchants, we recommend getting a feel of the online marketplace by gaining first-hand selling experience on eBay, Amazon or the likes. The tricks of the trade that you learn from there are a treasure.

Pro-Tips:
Things you wish you had known before opening an eCommerce site | Would you put all your eggs in one basket?

2. Choose what to sell

Deciding what to sell is crucial. It is always better to sell a product you have knowledge about or, have a deep interest in its purpose and functionality. When you set out to sell a product you are passionate about, it makes selling easier compared to something you are totally naive to. Alternatively, select a niche market, i.e. a market which focuses on a specific product and all its dynamics to influence a small market segment. Once you decide what to sell, the immediately intertwined task is to identify the source of procuring that product.

Pro-Tips:

What To Sell Online | Evergreen Sourcing Strategies | Competitive Pricing Strategies

3. Pick a Domain Name

Now that you are decided on selling online and have identified product/s to sell, it’s time to give your venture an identity. The name that you choose will be used as your online address making your e-store accessible to the public.
Click here to find a domain name.

Pro-Tip:
How to choose a domain name

4. Build your online store

Congratulations! If you have reached this stage, chances are you have given a thorough thought to your business venture and are ready to go all out. If you are not proficient at technology, we can imagine your apprehensions about this stage. But to make eCommerce even easier, we have specially created our business model to suit aspiring online sellers just like yourself. Building your online store can’t get easier than this. All you do is click here, enter the required information and we will take it up from there. Leave all your apprehensions now and start working on what’s to follow.

Pro-Tip:
Three business services every online seller should ask for

5. Logistics

Your online store is ready, the products have been arranged and price tags attached. As you would know, payment and shipping modules are extremely integral to eCommerce operations and thus it’s prudent to offer multiple options to buyers to make a payment and give yourself various alternatives for shipping the product. Here you can learn about the payment integrations and for shipping modules please check this.

While payment and shipping are major logistical transactions, another crucial step is writing compelling product descriptions.

Pro-tips:
Open up earning avenues | The last transaction | Six words or Sixty sentences

6. Start selling online

Let the action begin now. Your first online sale, the first customer, and the first feedback shall be more valuable than you realize now. eCommerce is a highly dynamic and fiercely competitive scenario to operate in. The key is to treat every sale like it’s your first one; the same amount of prudence that you would exhibit in order to win your first customer applies to all the transactions and customers that follow. Selling online is not limited to the activity of accepting a purchase and shipping the product but simultaneously updating product reviews and asking for customer’s feedback.

Pro-tips:
How to increase your online sales | How can you reduce product returns

7. Promote your product and online store

Once you get a hang of selling online and are able to manage the operations effectively, turn to promoting your products, brand, and the online store. Ideally, the word of mouth publicity still works best but in the age of social media, it is important to stay tuned to what’s new, customer preferences and perceptions and also to actively look for venues to talk about your business and build a community. Customer management, newsletters, and analytics are a very important part of growing eCommerce business.

Pro-tips:
Look what’s trending | Easiest SEO tool | How to win millennials