If
you've got something worth selling, then with all the free tools, cheap
hosting, and user-friendly store builders available at your fingertips,
there's no reason not to get started. Lots of us are familiar with the
concept of selling online via the likes of eBay, but if you're looking
for a legitimate side hustle that will help you make your mark, then
your own online store is the way to go. Here is a guide to getting
started in seven days.
1. Figure out Your MVP
If you've only
given yourself a week to set up your store, then you certainly don't
have time to be a perfectionist. While you may feel strongly that your
online store is a reflection of yourself - and therefore has to be
perfect - it's better to have something basic that is up and running.
In
this case, you need to ask yourself, what is your Minimum Viable
Product? Remember that you can always improve the store as you go - all
the while growing your customer base and learning what works and what
doesn't. Start with the minimal features you need to get going, which
include:
* A product to sell - plus images and descriptions
* A company name and domain - check domain availability here
* A reliable ecommerce platform
* A plan for managing order fulfillment
* A content and marketing strategy
2. First Things First: Building a Store
Once
you have a niche and a business plan, you're ready to start creating a
website. Your storefront will be a reflection of your brand, so choose
an option that comes recommended for ecommerce. If your website is too
basic then you may find it hard to scale later on.
Easy online
store builders work well because they are designed for people just like
you. They take care of all the complicated parts of setting up a
website, so you can focus on the bigger picture. Store creators are
ideal for those who are looking to build an ecommerce website from
scratch.
The other option is to use software like WooCommerce,
which will integrate with any WordPress website. This is a good route if
you already have a blog and you want to add ecommerce functionality.
Don't be afraid to take advantage of free trial periods, and keep in
mind these key tips to build your first small business website.
3. Decide How You will Handle Inventory
Getting
the right logistical framework in place is key to making sure you are
able to scale as your business grows, but you also need a system that's
manageable when you're just starting out.
Handling inventory is a
lot of work. For this reason, many merchants choose to work with a
dropshipper. This means that the product goes straight from the supplier
to the customer - cutting out the middleman. Do your research to find
one who is reliable and will allow you to apply your own branding. If
you're new to dropshipping, check out this guide on dropshipping your
way to financial freedom.
If you plan on handling the inventory
yourself, you can opt to save costs on storage rent by looking into
shared warehouse deals. Some entrepreneurs choose to start by storing
inventory at home, but you should have a plan in place to scale the
order fulfillment side of the business when orders start dropping in
larger numbers.
4. Create a Content Strategy
Content
production should be a central asset of your online business, so be sure
to treat it accordingly. It's a good idea to map out all your content
needs for the first year and create an editorial calendar to follow. If
you need to hire part-time copywriters or freelancers, then do.
Plan
for the seasonality of ecommerce sales, and invest more budget at times
when you're likely to get a higher return on your content investment.
Don't forget to factor in your product and category descriptions.
Remember that unique and compelling copy will help you rank better, so
don't just copy and paste your manufacturer's description.
If this
is your first time working on a content strategy, then learn from other
businesses who already do it well. Follow other online merchants on
social media and read through their blogs to see what they're putting
out there.
5. Put the Word out
Maintaining a steady online
audience is a lot of work, and you shouldn't expect a flood of customers
to arrive in the first week. But as you get going, here are some other
methods for you to try:
*Social media is about give and take - but
you should always give more than you take. Offer real insight and
commentary, and only go promotional right at the end. Consider which
platforms are going to work best for your brand before diving in - they
are not all alike.
*PPC (Pay Per Click) advertising is a good way to get noticed in
Search Engine Result Pages (SERPs) early on. It can take a while for
search engines to index a new website - even one that is well-optimized -
so you may want to give yourself a boost.
* Engaging with influencers is another helpful way to start
spreading the word, and to build backlinks to your website. Reach out to
popular bloggers to enquire about an article or feature with a link
back to your store.
While it's possible to get your online store
up and running within a week, the truth is that to make a success of
your new business, the venture must be for the long-term. There is a lot
of work that goes on behind the scenes when managing an ecommerce
business so be prepared to do your research, to make mistakes, and to
learn from them.
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