Making the transition to selling online can be a big step for a business, especially if you had little online presence before the pandemic. Setting up an eCommerce site comes with its challenges and can sometimes feel overwhelming.
To help you get started, we asked 12 experts, “What is your best tip for a business just beginning in eCommerce?”
Read their tips below.
Create an SEO Strategy
When selling online, you can’t rely on customers walking into your store by chance. With a well-executed SEO strategy, customers can naturally discover your online store. While SEO might seem daunting, it’s a reliable way to ensure your target audience can find you through search engines.
Pick the Right Ecommerce Platform
Ecommerce platforms are the backbone of any online store, helping the front-end and back-end work together smoothly. Choose a platform that offers all the features you need to start, grow, and manage your business. Take time to research your options and pick the one that best suits your needs.
Reduce Friction
Making the buying process smooth is key to online success. Ensure your customers have all the information they need to make a purchase, from clear product descriptions and photos to customer reviews, shipping details, and tax information. When customers can easily understand how your product solves their problems, they’re much more likely to buy.
Don’t Send Customers Away
A common mistake new online stores make is placing noticeable social media links on their homepage. Once customers click on Facebook or Instagram, they often get distracted by notifications and forget about shopping. Keep social media links small and subtle, placing them in the footer if you must include them.
Invest in Your Website
People won’t feel confident entering their credit card details on a website with poor images and bad descriptions. Hire a skilled web developer who can create a professional and user-friendly site. High-quality product photos and well-written content can make a big difference in the overall look and function of your store.
Live and Breathe Digital
It’s crucial to have an online presence everywhere. You need a website, social media pages, ads, blogs, videos, and listings on online marketplaces. This may sound like a lot, but there are many resources to help you learn. Personally, I still love selling on eBay because it’s been a trusted platform for years.
Find Your Unique Selling Point
In any industry, there are many businesses offering similar products. To stand out, you need to find what makes your business unique. For example, when I started, I noticed many VoIP companies lacked verified user reviews, which led customers to question their reliability. We focused on collecting verified reviews, which helped build trust and differentiate us from competitors.
Make Your Website Secure
Security is the most important factor when selling online, especially since you’ll be handling customer payment information. Take the necessary steps to protect your customers’ data. This should be a top priority, even if it slows down the development of other aspects of your site.
Mind Your Margins
Be mindful of your profit margins. While offering free shipping can be tempting because larger retailers do it, you need to factor in shipping costs and packaging supplies. If you’re not careful, you might end up losing money.
Don’t Try to Reinvent the Wheel
Use existing platforms like Amazon to sell your products. Let your existing customers know where they can buy from you online. After that, you can gradually shift to your own website once you’ve figured out the best way to operate online.
Develop a Hypothesis for Your Target Audience
One of the biggest challenges is figuring out who will buy your product. Start by creating a hypothesis about your target audience and test it through research and data analysis. Adjust and refine your approach until you find the right customers. The faster you can identify your target market, the sooner you’ll see sales.
Consider Your Customers’ Wants and Needs
The market is constantly changing, so businesses need to adapt. Regularly review what’s working and what isn’t. Products that sold well before the pandemic may not be in high demand anymore. Think about how you can adjust your offerings to meet current customer needs.
