Starting an e-commerce business can be a lucrative venture, but it’s important to do your research first. This guide will provide you with everything you need to know about starting and running an online store. We’ll discuss the different types of e-commerce businesses, the pros and cons of each, and how to choose the right one for you. So whether you’re just starting out or are looking to expand your current business, read on for invaluable advice!
Table of Contents
DO – Your research
Any business owner worth their salt knows that research is essential to success. After all, how can you create a product that people will actually want to buy if you don’t know what they’re looking for? The good news is, there are plenty of ways to research in-demand products. Start by taking a look at online trends and seeing what people are talking about. Use social media, forums, and even search engine data to get an idea of what people are searching for. Search engine data tools can include Google Trends or Google Ads Keyword Planner. You can also look at industry publications to see what new products are being released and what older products are being phased out. By doing your research, you can ensure that you’re always ahead of the curve and creating products that people actually want to buy.
DO – Meticulously plan your website for the best user experience possible
User experience design is all about creating websites that offer a great experience for users. This means taking into account everything from the overall layout and navigation to the small details like typography and images. When done well, user experience design can make a website much easier and more enjoyable to use, which can lead to more conversions and sales. Of course, designing a great user experience is not always easy, but it is definitely worth the effort. By taking the time to carefully design your website with the user in mind, you can make sure that your visitors have a positive experience that they will remember.
The team at DealSeeker, an online cheap deals store, say that “carefully planning product categories and sub-categories along with proper navigation and internal linking will not only benefit user experience but will also aid in your SEO efforts.”
DON’T – Think by just launching your website you will generate sales
Just because you have a website doesn’t mean you’re going to get sales. Your website needs to be well-designed, user-friendly, and informative in order to convert website visitors into paying customers. Even if your website ticks all of those boxes, you still need to do some marketing to drive traffic to your site. You can do this through search engine optimization, social media marketing, and paid advertising. Once you’ve got website visitors, it’s up to your website to turn them into customers. If you’re not seeing the sales you want, don’t give up – take a closer look at your website and see where you can make improvements. This leads us to the next point.
DO – Engage in digital marketing channels such as SEO, social media & Google advertising
There are a variety of digital marketing channels that businesses can use to reach their target audience. Some of the most popular channels include paid search, SEO, social media, and email marketing. Each channel has its own strengths and weaknesses, and the best digital marketing strategy will make use of a variety of channels in order to reach the widest audience possible.
Paid search is an effective way to reach potential customers who are actively searching for products or services like those offered by your business. However, it can be expensive, and you will need to continuously monitor your campaign in order to ensure that you are getting the most bang for your buck. SEO, on the other hand, is a long-term strategy that can help you attract organic traffic from potential customers who are looking for information related to your industry. It takes time and effort to improve your rankings, but the results can be well worth it.
Social media is another digital marketing channel that can be extremely effective if used correctly. Businesses can use social media to connect with potential and current customers, build brand awareness, and drive traffic back to their website. Email marketing is another great way to reach out to customers and promote special offers or new products. However, it’s important to make sure that you don’t spam your customers or else they will quickly unsubscribe from your list.
DON’T – Choose products which have very small profit margins
Businesses need to make profit to stay afloat and continue operating, however, profit margins on some products can be very small. For example, a business that sells clocks might have a profit margin of 10% or less, while a business that sells clothes might have profit margins of 30% or more. This means that the company must sell a lot more clocks than clothing to make the same profit. If a company decides to focus on selling products with small profit margins, they may find it difficult to make profit and may eventually go out of business. However, if they focus on selling products with higher profit margins, they may have more success and may be able to stay in business for longer. Ultimately, it is up to the company to decide what mix of products they want to sell, but they should be aware of the risks involved in selling products with small profit margins.
DO – Choose an easy to use website CMS
CMS stands for Content Management System. It is a software application or set of tools that are used to create, manage, and publish content. A CMS can be used for websites, blogs, digital magazines, and even online stores. There are many different CMSs available, and the best one for you will depend on your specific needs. Some CMSs are better suited for small websites, while others have more features for large scale publications. Some CMSs are open source, while others are commercial. When choosing a CMS, it is important to consider your budget, website size, and desired features. With so many options available, there is sure to be a CMS that is perfect for you. Some popular E-commerce CMS’ are Shopify, Big Commerce, WooCommerce on WordPress, Marketplacer, and many more.