When starting your own business, there is an endless list of factors and information to be aware of but sitting high at the top of the list is the kind of business structure you want to create. Today, one of the most popular business structures for new entrepreneurs is the route of e-commerce. Thanks to the technology advance the internet has gone through, those looking to set up a storefront and sell products can now do so through a virtual platform.
In the year 2016, e-commerce sales in the United States alone hit $322.17 billion, which means it is an avenue well worth investigating. Here we’ll take a look at four tips for those entrepreneurs who are looking to start their own e-commerce business.
1. Choose Your Platform Wisely
Outside of the products you offer, the customer experience should be top of the list when it comes to priorities. This means choosing an e-commerce platform that features a user-friendly shopping cart that also matches all your needs as a store. While there are a number to choose from, the top five according to this website are Shopify, Bigcommerce, Volusion, Big Cartel, and 3dcart. Within that list, each platform offers its own list of pros and cons that are well worth researching. There’s also the fact they cost varying amounts.
By spending time researching the platform you use, you will ensure all your business needs are met, and that your customers have a great experience which prompts them to want to shop with you again.
2. Make Smart Use of Social Networks
When it comes to setting up an e-commerce website, you need to generate a fair amount of buzz to get it noticed, and this is where your social networks can come in really handy. You want to make smart use of them and turn them into your marketing tool. Drum up interest in your site, post product links/photos, discuss deals or new products, etc. In today’s digital age, social networks can end up being your very best tool.
3. Do Not Launch the Site without Testing Multiple Times
The last thing you want to do is have your site go live only to discover issues, bugs, and problems. There is nothing more off-putting for customers than a site that doesn’t work as it is intended to. Customers won’t have the patience to stick around, so this is why you need to ensure that what goes live is perfect.
4. Make Sure Your Site is Optimized for Mobile Use
Speaking of today’s digital age, it’s also important that your e-commerce site is optimized for digital use. What this means is that people can browse and shop on your site using a laptop/computer or other digital devices such as a smartphone or tablet. If you fail to do this step, you could be missing out on all kinds of potential business.
While there is a lot involved in building an e-commerce store, these tips help can help you with the process and help ensure that it goes as smoothly and as successfully as possible.
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