Right now, many people are considering setting up and launching their own E-Commerce businesses. There are multiple different reasons for doing this. Some have aspired to do it for a while. They’re sick of nine to five jobs, they’re tired of commuting, or they feel stuck at a dead-end. These were definitely reasons that I worked hard to forge my “work from home” path.

Now with a global pandemic in tow, others are looking to make some money from home. People around the world have been hit hard financially and are seeking a way to make money without having to risk their health by heading into public to work. Whatever your reasons for getting started in eCommerce, here are a few steps you can take to help get your business off the ground.

**Disclaimer Alert: I have written this post as a general guide to help my readers, however, I am not a qualified expert. Rachael Hope Media accepts no liability for any loss or damage howsoever arising out of the use of this website or reliance on the content of the website.

Creating Your Website

In order to operate online, you will need to have a website. Think of it as a virtual piece of real estate. People will find your company and your products via your website. It’s also where they’ll get to know your brand. Potential consumers will decide if they want to make a purchase from you or not. So you want it to be as engaging and appealing as possible. Focus on the following areas to make a success of it!

Web Design

First, you need to focus on web design. You want your page to look good and capture people’s attention. Various studies have found that most potential customers will decide whether they’re staying on a website or not within a matter of seconds. So, you need to make these first few moments really count and create a positive first impression!

If your budget allows, look into a Pay Monthly Website that will scope out space for you on the web and help you to design an ideal site. Areas to consider include your branded colour scheme and font. You should also ensure that your logo appears somewhere on the page to create brand awareness and a sense of familiarity. If possible, make sure that most of the space on any given page on your site is white or another neutral colour. This will allow other, more important things stand out.

UX

UX, otherwise known as “user experience” is just as important as web design. Again, people want convenience and can be impatient. If they can’t figure their way around your site or find the page or information they’re looking for, they might simply exit the page and not return. Then you’ll have a lost sale on your hands! Focusing on user experience will ensure that products, shipping info, FAQs, contact details and other relevant information are all easy to find and engage with.

Product Photography

When you operate online, people have little to work with to get to know your goods. Product photography is likely to be your main selling tool here. It will show people what you have on offer in the best light possible. Once again, if your budget allows, use the services of a professional product photographer.

This will take the hassle out of doing product photography with your smartphone and create professional-looking results. They’ll have high-quality equipment, an eye for detail, experience in what works and can really make your products shine!

Website Copy

The words or “copy” you use on your website are also extremely important. They can describe things to potential customers. They can entice a sale. They can craft a brand story. They can provide the necessary information and reduce the number of customer queries you receive. So, work with a competent copywriter to get all of this done!

Driving Traffic to Your Page

Chances are, whatever you’re selling, you’ll find yourself working in a saturated marketplace. A lot of people will be looking to earn money in the same way as you. So, you’re going to have to work hard to drive traffic to your page. The following steps should help you to achieve this!

Focus on SEO

SEO stands for “search engine optimisation” and is absolutely essential for any online business trying to make money. When potential customers are looking for what you’re selling, they’ll type a few keywords into a search engine (most often, Google). They’ll then click one of the first websites that shows on their screen. So you need to be one of these first links. Working to improve your SEO can help to get your page right up those rankings. This maximises the number of people who click through to your site and increases brand exposure, sales and profits.

If you want to learn more about SEO check out my previous post.

Mailing Lists

Some people visit a site once and leave. But sometimes, they could be enticed back to make a purchase. A mailing list will help you to keep in contact with them to achieve this. This is essentially a list of people who have given you their contact details, as well as consent to contact them. You can then send them marketing emails to let them know about new products, special events, or other announcements that could bring them back to your site to browse your products and make purchases.

Of course, it can be hard getting people to give you consent to flood their emails. So, you will generally have to offer some sort of incentive. 10% off their first purchase or free shipping on their first purchase are usually sufficient to encourage a sign-up. One of the important things to remember is not to spam people and try to add value to people’s emails.

FIN

These are just a few different things you can do to help get your online business started in the right direction. Sure, there’s a lot more you’ll have to focus on as things progress. But these are some pretty good first steps to take and will get your venture up and running! So, keep this advice at hand and implement it into your startup process. You could really benefit from it!

Thank you for spending some of your precious time in my online abode today 🙂

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P.p.s. If you enjoyed this post why not check out my previous post by clicking the image below.