If you own a small business but aren’t an e-commerce expert, building a great and successful online store can seem complicated. There are so many decisions to be made, and you may find yourself lost amongst all the opportunities, especially if you are a beginner without experience.
We could all use a little extra money, and the perfect way to bring some additional income is to build an online store. The great news is that online sales are expected to make up around 17% of rental sales by 2021. Despite this fact, almost half of businesses still don’t have a website. If you are one of them, we are here to help you get started. Now is the perfect time to sit down, make a plan, and get building.
It doesn’t matter if you are taking the first steps with your first store ever or looking to expand online. Just follow this guide, and we will discuss all the tips you need for building your online store from start to finish. This task has never been easier, and there are a variety of options out there. Together we will decide which method is the best for you. Let’s dive in!
Find The Best Developer
Having a developer that is well experienced and knows his/her way around e-commerce is essential. They will make the whole process a lot easier and help you understand and identify your requirements. If you are a beginner, you may not know how to choose the right platform that suits your needs. Taking a couple of different developers is possible, but Shopify developers recommend choosing someone whose approach and personality you feel most comfortable with, accompanied by high technical skill. Make sure you consider your budget. At least have a starting point, and you can make some adjustments later on in the process. Budgeting is crucial for your business but also the developer because prices can vary widely. A good developer will ask you for a rough idea of your budget so that together you can figure out the best strategy.
Elegant Design
Most people use a template for their store, but you should try to stand out by choosing a beautiful, stylish design that is also functional and simple. Yet, remember that more is often less. So make sure you don’t cram your homepage with pictures, buttons, and content. It must be eye-catching but still user-friendly.
Your online store should represent your brand and start a conversation. When a visitor lands on your website, he/she will want to learn about it, ask for help, or buy the product as fast and straightforward as possible. If you help them deal with all this quickly, we guarantee you will have a satisfied customer that will gladly return to you.
Don’t forget that this is the era of mobile devices, so make sure your design is appropriate for smartphones and tablets. Avoid confusing and dark images. They might look cool, but you need your customers to know immediately what your store is about. Overly complicated design and a lack of a clear value proposition may drive potential customers away.
Social Media Presence
Social media platforms have a huge role nowadays, and e-commerce just has to go with new trends. They influence potential buyers and provide an excellent online marketplace. Never underestimate social media’s power and make sure your business is present on your customers’ specific platforms. It’s a great tool to build trust and advertise your services.
If you post your current deals, blog articles, and info about your products, your customers will likely share your content. If you are just getting started, you should at least have a Facebook page, Instagram, or Twitter.
SEO Optimization
If you don’t know what SEO is, you are in the right place. SEO is short for Search Engine Optimization, and it’s the best way to get your online store noticed by search engines and, therefore, the customers. SEO uses many techniques and strategies and, if you are new to it, it’s best to consult an expert. Being visible on search engines is one of the essential things for an online business nowadays.
However, the first step is to find out what keywords your buyers use when looking for products you sell. Use these keywords in your blog articles, product descriptions, or basically any content you have. Don’t forget to learn about meta descriptions and tags. Your goal is to get your website to be among the first things that pop up on a search engine (e.g., Google, Yahoo, Bing, etc.)
Now that you have learned all these useful tips, you know that building an online store isn’t difficult at all. You will be surprised how your business can get successful overnight by following a few simple steps. Make sure you have a solid plan, consult experts, and just get started.
