If you have something worth selling, then with all the free tools, cheap hosting, and easy-to-use store builders available at your fingertips, there’s no reason not to get started. Many of us are familiar with the concept of selling online through eBay, but if you’re looking for a legitimate side job to help you make your mark, then your own online store is the way to go. Here is a guide to get started in seven days.
1. Calculate your MVP
If you’ve only given yourself a week to set up your shop, then you certainly don’t have time to be a perfectionist. While you may feel like your online store is a reflection of yourself and therefore needs to be perfect, it’s better to have something basic that’s up and running.
In this case, you should ask yourself, what is your Minimum Viable Product? Remember that you can always improve the store as you go along, as you grow your customer base and learn what works and what doesn’t. Start with the minimum features you need to get up and running, including:
* A product to sell – more images and descriptions
* A business name and a domain: check domain availability here
* A reliable e-commerce platform
* A plan to manage order fulfillment
* A content and marketing strategy.
2. First things first: build a store
Once you have a niche and a business plan, you are ready to start building a website. Your storefront will be a reflection of your brand, so choose an option that is recommended for e-commerce. If your website is too basic, you may find it difficult to scale later.
Easy online store builders work well because they are designed for people like you. They take care of all the complicated parts of setting up a website, so you can focus on the big picture. Store builders are ideal for those 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 want to add eCommerce functionality. Don’t be afraid to take advantage of free trials and keep these key tips in mind for building your first small business website.
3. Decide how you will handle inventory
Getting the logistics framework right is key to making sure you can scale as your business grows, but you also need a system that is manageable when you’re just starting out.
Managing inventory is a lot of work. For this reason, many merchants choose to work with a dropshipper. This means that the product goes directly from the supplier to the customer, eliminating the middleman. Do your research to find one that is reliable and allows you to apply your own brand. If you’re new to dropshipping, check out this guide to dropshipping on your path to financial freedom.
If you plan to handle inventory yourself, you may choose to save costs on renting storage by looking for shared storage agreements. Some entrepreneurs choose to start by stocking inventory at home, but you need to have a plan in place to scale the order fulfillment side of the business when orders start to drop in large numbers.
4. Create a content strategy
Content production should be a core asset of your online business, so be sure to treat it accordingly. It’s a good idea to map out all of your content needs for the first year and create an editorial calendar to follow. If you need to hire part-time or freelance copywriters, go for it.
Plan for the seasonality of eCommerce sales and spend more budget at times when you’re likely to see a higher return on your content investment. Do not forget to take into account the descriptions of your products and categories. 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, learn from other companies that are already doing it well. Follow other online merchants on social media and read their blogs to see what they post.
5. Spread the Word
Maintaining a consistent 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 go along, here are some other methods for you to try:
*Social media is about give and take, but you should always give more than you receive. Offer real information and feedback, and only promote right at the end. Consider which platforms will work best for your brand before you dive in – they’re not all created equal.
*PPC (Pay Per Click) advertising is a great way to get noticed in search engine results pages (SERPs) early on. It can take a while for search engines to index a new website, even one that’s well optimized, so you might want to give yourself a boost.
* Engaging with influencers is another helpful way to start spreading the word and building backlinks to your website. Reach out to popular bloggers to inquire about an item or feature with a link to their store.
While it’s possible to get your online store up and running in a week, the truth is that for your new business to be a success, the venture needs to be long-term. There’s a lot of work behind the scenes when running an eCommerce business, so be prepared to do your research, make mistakes, and learn from them.