Over the years, it has become impossible to imagine a world without online shopping. According to a report from Statista, nearly 80% of consumers in the United States have embraced the convenience and accessibility of online shopping. This statistic not only underscores the ubiquity of online commerce but also portends its continued ascendancy in the foreseeable future. Here we’ll delve into getting started with e-commerce.
In contrast to the exponential growth in online consumer engagement, a significant discrepancy emerges when examining the digital footprint of small and medium-sized businesses (SMBs). A survey conducted by IONOS reveals that less than half of American SMBs (44%) have a corporate website, and only one-third (31%) have ventured into the realm of online product and service offerings. This dissonance raises questions about the digital readiness of small businesses in the evolving digital landscape.
As consumers become more digitally savvy, they expect businesses and service providers to do the same. Businesses that aren’t online will hardly stand a chance in the future. But how do you start? And where? To reach the right customers for your products, you need to know which channels to use. Here are five steps to determine the most suitable option and how small businesses can get started with minimal effort.
Step 1: Make an initial assessment
Good preparation and honest self-assessment are absolutely essential, as the three things that usually fail are expertise, interest and — especially for smaller companies — time. With the e-commerce sector constantly evolving, things can quickly become overwhelming and beginners must therefore start small and plan for sufficient resources. This is why it’s always a good idea to consult with ecommerce experts like Inversal who can help you identify easy wins or potential problems.
Step 2: Plan strategically
It‘s important to decide what it is you want to sell and who you want to sell it to. Successful entrepreneurs and business owners already understand their target audience and products, but newcomers are often not as sure. Those just starting out should ask themselves the following questions: Does a receptive market exist for my offerings? Do people like to buy these products online? What strategies are my competitors using? Once you know this, it becomes vital to examine which social channels your target audience uses most and where they ultimately end up buying.
Step 3: Choose your platform and technical solution
Platforms such as Facebook and Instagram are ideal for converting existing followers into buyers. A web shop is ideal for a larger portfolio or online marketplaces such as Amazon and eBay. Whichever you choose, it‘s important to have a simple technical solution that offers common payment and shipping methods, as well as the ability to centrally manage multiple sales channels at once. This way, you can easily add more channels and platforms as your business grows. This is easily done by getting started with e-commerce.
Step 4: Design your shop and get marketing
High-quality images, accurate descriptions and a clear shop structure all increase the likelihood of a sale. It’s also helpful to put yourself in the customer’s shoes. After all, we all shop online, so take advantage of that and ask yourself: What would I expect when I come to the site as a visitor? Friends or acquaintances who are part of your target audience can also help check these aspects for you in a “friendly user test.”
Now, you need to get the word out about your shop. When it comes to marketing, it’s a good idea to start where the shop first opened — online. Targeted advertising on Google or social media channels like Facebook, which have a wide range of audience types, is an easy and cost-effective way to reach your chosen audience.
Step 5: Learn by doing
If things don’t go as planned, it can be easy to dismiss selling online and think “it won’t work.” However, it could just be the way you are approaching it that doesn’t work. It’s important to try different ways and slowly feel your way forward, but be sure to analyze regularly. Just getting started with e-commerce is key. It‘s essential to think outside the box, observe competitors and new trends, and adjust the screws as needed. Learn by doing and don’t just throw in the towel — because at the end of the day, e-commerce scales very well.
