What if you don’t need to be a web developer? What if you can build your own professional website or use free hosting sites like Wix, Weebly, Tilda, Squarespace, and more. The online retail industry is booming and it’s easier than ever to get started.
Read on for tips on how you can improve your odds of success with this simple business model! Here are some of the most common questions we hear from our customers: “What do I need to know before starting an online store?”, “How much does it cost?”, “What should my e-commerce store offer?”. Learn about all of that and more here in this quick guide!
1. Utilise AI
Utilizing advanced technologies to enhance your business can be beneficial. For example, an AI-driven system that automatically responds to customers during off-hours or on weekends has been shown to improve response time by 50%.
You don’t need a degree in programming and you definitely don’t have to code anything yourself! These types of functionality are offered by the most popular platforms, such as Wix.
For others, it might be a chatbot that lets you automate conversations with your customers on Facebook Messenger. According to Brightflag, you can even use an “AI-powered partner for legal ops excellence”. AI can help with almost any aspect of a business.
2. Get Inspiration From Other Stores
If you want to be successful, it’s a great idea to take a look at what other stores are doing. Some stores achieve success by offering certain items for free or at a discount. There are very few barriers to entry in this industry, so it’s important to take full advantage of it.
For example, if your product has a higher perceived value than its competitors, you can sell it at a higher price and still compete because customers see your business as more reliable and trustworthy. What’s your USP (unique selling point)? What are you offering that is different from your competitors?
When it comes to e-commerce, customers buy based on experience. Make sure yours is pleasant by using some of the best practices provided by major retailers like Amazon and Zappos. You can even hire professionals to do this for you.
3. Invest In A Professional Website
In the early days of e-commerce, many stores relied solely on free hosting sites like Wix to sell their products. While this is still an option, it’s not always the best way to get your business off the ground.
Nowadays, it’s not difficult to find a professional website builder that lets you focus on what makes your business special while still looking professional. The cost of a premium website builder is usually recouped within the first few sales as your store will look more trustworthy and dependable from the outset.
4. Take Advantage Of The Latest Marketing Strategies
Over 80% of people who shop online begin their search on one of the three major search engines: Google, Bing, and Yahoo. Ranking high for popular keywords is a good way to ensure your store gets noticed by potential customers looking to buy products similar to yours! You can get help with this process, too.
5. Utilise Social Media Channels
There are numerous free social media sites that your business can use to get even more exposure online. Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are some of the most popular options out there for you to utilize.
We recommend starting by setting up a page on each site and customizing your profile. Next, think about an “online store concept” that shows how other businesses have found success with this type of branding and advertising. For more tips on how to advertise your business for free, check out our blog post here!
6. Utilise SEO Strategies
Using search engine optimization can help your site rank high in organic, unpaid search results on Google. SEO is a wide topic that could be the subject of multiple articles on its own.
For now, just know that your store should have a unique title and description with appropriate keywords that customers are likely to search for. Those are the first two things Google will pick up on! This means you should include the most important keywords at the start of your title and description.
Starting an online store can seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be. With the right tools and advice, you can set up a professional website quickly and easily without spending a lot of money. Utilizing AI technologies, social media marketing, search engine optimization and more can help get your business off the ground and running. So what are you waiting for? Get started today!