Ever thought you could run a killer online shop from the comfort of your own bedroom? Well, thousands do and make a very healthy living from it. There’s absolutely no reason why you can’t be the next big success story. Setting up your shop is the easy bit. They say “build it and they will come”, but unfortunately that’s not always true. Once you have a your first product, it’s time to get it out into the world. Today we’ll share the secrets of success with you. Ready to become an internet shopping entrepreneur? We thought so! Let’s take a look.
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Choose the right platform
There are so many options when it comes to selling your wares. We think the most successful online stores maximise a combination of platforms. Each is better suited to a different audience. Choose your platform based on the audience. For example, Etsy has a built in audience of craft lovers. If you make little mittens with cats on them, Etsy is your place to start. If you make spare engine parts, you’ll want to look at something like Autotrader. It is also wise to have your own e commerce section on your website.
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Optimise for mobile
If you’re running a store from your own website (which you should be) optimise it for mobile! Nearly 30% of online shopping takes place on a tablet or a smartphone. If your website isn’t optimised for these customers, you’ll lose a huge market share. Make this your number one priority when setting up. It may be worth speaking to a website developer to get this perfect.
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Be unique
This all starts with your product. If you’re reading this post, we assume you already have your product in mind. But, is it the very best it can be? Does it have a unique identity that will catch people’s eye? Take the time to hone your product. Test it, tweak it and get feedback. Optimise every aspect of it, from appearance to functionality. The best online stores work best because they offer something that no-one else does. What’s your unique aspect?
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Promote
As we said in the intro, customers won’t come just because you’re there. Once you’re all set up, it’s time to find your audience. When starting out, the best way to do this is through social media. Use rich, irresistible imagery to share on your platforms. Take advantage of Instagram, Twitter, Pinterest and Facebook here. They have a built in audience of customers just waiting for you to find them! Images and videos work best here, so make sure your products are visually stimulating. This is the best way to expand your business in the early days.
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Be secure
Finally, no ecommerce business is complete without a level of security. We advise using a knowledge based authentication system throughout your purchase process. It gives you and your customers peace of mind when buying. It means you’ll protect your business from hackers and spammers.
Making a killing from an online store is possible and – dare we say it – easy, when you know how. Follow these steps and you’ll be well on your way to a life of self-employment!
Featured image credit: ShutterStock
