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The topic of e-commerce is becoming more and more popular in various types of media: you can attend a number of e-commerce seminars and conferences, read blogs or watch videos giving insights or advice on selling online/having an online shop. It's also noticeable that many physical stores are making their way into the online world. No-one would argue that having an online shop is not profitable nor popular, but many are still struggling to figure out the best way to start an online shop. So, we’d like to discuss 5 main factors which you should consider before you start selling online.
Nowadays there is a vast variety of e-commerce platforms. Before choosing the right platform, it is advisable to make sure that the platform is easy to use. That way your job of managing the store will become simpler and more effective. Also, it is a must to check if the platform can be optimised for mobile. More than 60% of online searches are made using mobile devices, so if your online shop is not suitable to use on a smartphone, you will lose potential buyers.
If this decision seems difficult at first, you can try renting an online shop. You will be able to try different platforms without serious commitment and once you feel ready you can create your own e-commerce website.
This decision is probably one of the hardest. You can try to find a new exciting niche in the market and offer your original product. However, in order to succeed you have to constantly keep track of the newest trends in the market (local or international) and pick the best time to get started. We recommend avoid entering markets with product/service overflow because you will face more intense competition and it will be rather difficult to establish yourself in an already overfilled market.
Alternatively, you can try selling your hand-made products, for example, handicrafts or unique desserts. A modern buyer usually looks for authenticity and high-quality products, so if you decide to sell your hand-made products, you will have an advantage over your competitors. The buyer will be able to see a real human behind your product, making your brand more trustworthy and helping you please a modern buyer with endless options.
There are still some people who view shopping online as something risky and tend to shop the old-fashioned way. Because of that, you have to do everything possible to enhance the security on your e-commerce website. Not only does poor website security scare potential buyers, but it can also cause serious damage to you as an e-shop owner. If you don’t make your e-commerce website as secure as possible, you put all the shared data at risk (credit/debit card data, addresses, etc.) One of the most important security measures is an SSL certificate, which helps to transmit all the information in a secure manner. If you’d like to accept credit/debit card payments, it is a must to install an SSL certificate.
Another undoubtedly important aspect of any e-business is the design. High-quality, modern design of a website will attract more attention and will make potential buyers trust your brand more. However, the overall design of the website is not the only thing that matters. Pay extra attention to the pictures of the products – they should be exceptionally high-quality and show how the product looks in real life. Considering the type of products that you sell, you can also think about including short 360-degree videos (it works incredibly well for clothing, footwear, etc.)
If you want to turn your website visitors into real buyers, make sure your website is user-friendly. Buyers will be unsatisfied if they are unable to find basic functions, such as a search bar or filters. People tend to get impatient when searching/buying, so a slow and ineffective website is likely to be abandoned.
Choosing the right payment method makes the whole payment process fast and effective. You should use payment methods that are popular in your area or market. Also, check which payment methods can be integrated into your e-commerce payment gateway. If your business type requires recurring payments, make sure to select a payment platform with this feature. When planning to sell internationally, it is very recommendable to integrate local payment methods to appease consumers from all around the world.
Having completed these five main steps, you will have a strong foundation for future success of your online store. Once you secure a strong start, it will be easier to deal with further challenges.
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