Setting up an e-commerce site can be a daunting task, but with the right insights, it can be accomplished with ease. In this article, Phil Rothwell of EcomEvolve provides eight practical tips to help simplify the process.
#1 – Look before you leap
Before you embark on this journey, take the time to learn about running an online business. Reading about setting up an e-commerce site online, attending small business and e-commerce exhibitions, and talking to people who are already selling online can be invaluable.
#2 – Find your focus
Differentiation is the key to success in a competitive market. You need to offer something that is unique and resonates with your customers. Building bonds with your customers and creating a brand that represents these bonds is essential for long-term success.
#3 – Get your proposition and pricing right
Value-added offerings, such as related consumables or gift-wrapping services, can set your business apart from the competition. Offering tangible value to your customers is crucial, and calibrating products before dispatch or selling only authentic products are excellent examples.
#4 – Use the right marketing channels
Identifying the right marketing channels to promote your business can be challenging. Social media and search engine marketing are effective, but the most productive one will depend on your customers and the products you sell. Experimentation and research are essential to identify the right channels.
#5 – Test marketplaces
Selling through a marketplace like Amazon or eBay can provide speedy access to customers and sales but comes with its limitations. It’s crucial to research the potential benefits and disadvantages of selling through a marketplace before venturing into it.
#6 – Control your costs
Keeping track of your cash flow and income, and regularly reviewing them, is essential to identify and address issues promptly.
#7 – Choose the right platform
Choosing the right platform for your e-commerce business is a critical decision. Low-cost cloud e-commerce platforms such as Shopify and Big Commerce offer an easy-to-use solution. However, open-source solutions like Woo Commerce offer more flexibility and customization.
#8 – Make sure everything works
The end product must be user-friendly and reliable. Testing the site before launch and ensuring a reliable hosting partner’s availability is crucial to make sure your store takes orders 24/7.
#9 – Taking payment
Offering a variety of payment options, including card payments, is necessary, and platforms like Shopify and PayPal offer convenient and secure integrated payment-processing solutions.
#10 – Measure everything
Tracking your online marketing efforts and using systems like Google Analytics to monitor visitors and sales will help improve decision-making and calculate your return on investment accurately.
Setting up an e-commerce site can be challenging, but staying ahead of the curve and your competition is crucial. With these practical insights, you can create a stand-out e-commerce site that attracts and retains customers and drives your business’s success.
