Pretty ProgressiveThe arrow on the e-commerce growth chart keeps going up. As Oberlo statistic shows, the number of digital buyers has risen from 1.52 billion in 2016 to 2.14 billion in 2021. That’s a notable growth for only 5 years.
Since more and more people turn to online shopping, opening an e-commerce store is a smart business move.
The first step to becoming an online business owner is launching a website. With a highly competitive market, the website you launch must be impeccable.
If you want to set up a successful e-commerce website, here are the key 6 steps you should follow.
1. Identify Your Niche and Product
Focusing on a specific product and niche will help you identify and attract target buyers. Therefore, this is the first challenge you must conquer.
Research what type of niche is currently trending. Within the niche you are interested in, dig for products that could be in high demand but aren’t present on the market. Remember that choosing a product that is overflowing the market will lower your success chance.
2. Find a Suitable Supplier
The product resources can vary for e-commerce businesses. But, whether you are using AliExpress, Alibaba, or some other source, be careful with locking down the supplier.
Interview several suppliers. Don’t rush into sealing the deal with the first one you come across. You want to assure that they can handle the increase in demand and respect the deadlines continuously.
Communication is the pillar of successful collaboration. So, prioritize suppliers who show efficiency, transparency, and clarity in communication. Consider choosing one of the most powerful online wholesale platforms like The Main Tab.
3. Define Your Business and Brand
The less interesting aspect of launching an e-commerce website is assuring that you comply with all regulations and handle the business part of this endeavor responsibly.
In terms of a legal structure, you can opt for:
- Sole proprietorship
- General partnership
- LLC
- Corporation
Depending on your type of business, you might need to obtain EIN (employer identification number).
Once you clarify the technicalities, the more interesting part is coming up with the brand name. Surface with several possibilities. Make sure that you check with U.S. Patent and Trademark Office whether your brand name is free for you to use.
Before you make a final decision on the brand name, find out whether the domain name containing that business name (including variations) is available.
4. Create a Website
To build a website, you first need to choose an e-commerce platform. There are several platforms you can choose from. The most popular choices are:
- Shopify
- WooCommerce
- Squarespace
- Magento
You want to build a brand, not just launch a generic website. Therefore, think thoroughly about your unique value proposition (UVP). Focus your brand on that.
When you start building a website, you should consider including the following:
- Homepage
- About Page
- Products Page
- Contact Page
- Blog Page (optional)
Based on your target audience, you might need to localize a website. To do that, you can check out translation services USA reviews to find the right option for your needs. You want professionals to handle this task.
You can also integrate an eCommerce platform with a PunchOut catalog to streamline procurement processes between buyers and suppliers. A PunchOut catalog is a type of electronic catalog that allows buyers to access a supplier’s catalog directly from their procurement system, such as an eProcurement or ERP system, without leaving their own environment. This integration simplifies the purchasing process and ensures accurate and up-to-date product and pricing information.
5. Determine Price and Shipping Details
How you price your products and shipping information are determining factors for shoppers. Keep in mind that the number one reason people shop online is free delivery.
Adapt your prices to the market. Count in the product’s quality but be mindful that you are a new kid on the block.
Also, set up your payment options. Many e-commerce stores provide the possibility of paying with PayPal, Stripe, Chase, BluePay, PaySimple, etc.
6. Launch and Market Your Business
The work won’t stop after your e-commerce website goes viral. That’s when you need to level up your game. Test out the website restlessly.
Furthermore, remember that there is no success without marketing. So, decide on marketing channels and methods you’ll resort to. Here are a few suggestions:
- Paid ads
- Running a multilingual blog
Wrapping Up
Launching an e-commerce website isn’t a task that should be taken lightly. Hopefully, these steps will make it easier for you to build a successful business. Just take one step at a time, and you’ll have your website up and running before you know it.
Merissa Moore is a writer and editor who deals with content. Thanks to her in-depth analysis and impeccable writing skills, she was capable of transforming her greatest passion – writing – into a job. Her curious mind and thorough analysis have led her to work as a writer in a different field. Merissa is still working on developing her skills by attending workshops and courses. She loves hiking and reading in her leisure time.
