Step-by-Step Guide On Starting an Online Store: Tips & Best Practices For Beginners

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What is an online store?

An online store is a business that sells products and services through the Internet. The majority of online stores are operated by small businesses, but there are also large successful e-commerce platforms like Amazon and eBay.


Online stores allow small businesses to sell their products directly to customers worldwide without having to go through a wholesaler or retailer. They also have the advantage of being able to reach consumers who may not be physically present in their local area.


Why start an online store?

There are many reasons why you may want to start an online store. Perhaps you're thinking of starting your own business, and selling products directly to consumers is the best way to do it. Or maybe you have a creative idea for a product or service that you think would be great for consumers to buy offline but couldn't find a way to bring into reality until now. No matter what your reasons, there's no doubt that starting an online store is a powerful marketing strategy. 


Here are three key reasons why:

  • Automation: Running an online store requires little more than a computer and an internet connection. This means that you can run your store from anywhere in the world, at any time of day or night (assuming there's enough bandwidth available).
  • Reach: With over two billion active web browsers worldwide, reaching potential customers is easy - even if they live in countries where retail sales via Internet platforms are still relatively new phenomena.
  • Conversion Rates: According to Statista*, 67% of US eCommerce traffic comes from mobile devices, which gives online stores another major advantage over their brick-and-mortar counterparts when it comes to Levin The average shopper visits 3 retailers before making purchase decisions on items worth $100 or more So whether shoppers browse through categories on one page or click around randomly, chances are good they've encountered something related to what they're looking for somewhere else on the site as well.


The different types of online stores

There are a number of different types of online stores, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.


The three main categories are e-commerce stores, application stores, and content sites.

E-commerce stores are the most common type of store online today. They essentially act as portals into which customers can buy products from various suppliers. This type of store is typically easy to use and has many features that make it easier for customers to find and purchase what they need. 

Application stores offer a unique combination of features that makes them ideal for specific users or businesses. For example, an application store might provide a wide range of applications (including software, games, books, etc.), all available in one place from the comfort of your desktop or mobile device. This type Of Store allows you to easily access and use the applications you need without having to search through multiple app stores or websites. 

Content sites allow businesses to create their own website entirely based on their own content instead of selling products through an eCommerce platform or application store.. Content sites have become increasingly popular in recent years because they give businesses greater control over their message and how people interact with them. They also offer more opportunities for branding than traditional eCommerce platforms do.


Choosing the right platform for your business

When it comes to choosing the right platform for your business, there are a few things to keep in mind.


First and foremost, choose a platform that is compatible with your specific needs. Do you need an easy-to-use interface? Does the platform allow for global deployment? Is tracking progress important to you? All of these factors will play a role in determining which platform is best for your business. 


Second, consider how much money you want to spend on the platform. There are many affordable platforms available, but some may offer more features than others. It's worth doing some research before making a purchase so that you know exactly what you're getting into. 


Finally, make sure that the platform has enough user adoption and feedback to ensure long-term viability. This can be difficult to determine upfront, but taking measures such as using industry experts or speaking with potential customers can help get accurate information about whether or not the chosen platform is right FOR YOUR BUSINESS!


Setting up your eCommerce site

Creating and setting up an eCommerce site can be a daunting task for first-time entrepreneurs. However, with the help of the right tools and tips, it's possible to get your store online in no time.


There are a number of different platforms that you can use to create your store, including Shopify, WordPress, or WooCommerce. Whichever platform you choose, make sure that you have all the necessary software installed (including a domain name and hosting) before starting your project.


Once everything is set up, it's time to start building your website.


Creating a professional-looking website

Creating a professional-looking website is essential for any business that plans to sell online. With the right design and layout, your customers will be able to easily find what they're looking for, and you'll stand out from the competition. There are a number of different platforms available that can help you create an attractive website, but it's important to choose one that suits your needs and budget.


There are many free websites available that offer limited functionality. These sites may be adequate if your goals are simple (like registering with a new account on a popular shopping site), but if you want something more advanced or custom-made, paid platforms like WordPress or Shopify might be better suited. 


Once you've chosen a platform, there are several factors to consider when designing your site: 

Layout - Make sure the layout is easy to navigate by using clear titles and concise headings. Keep things sectioned off into logical groups so visitors can quickly find what they need without fussing around too much; this will speed up both browsing time and conversion rates).

Design - Use rich colour schemes and textures throughout the site in order not only to look appealing but also to make sense within the context of each page/section (this helps reduce confusion for visitors unfamiliar with your brand or product). Include images where appropriate - not only do they add visual interest but studies have shown that photos lead more people back through pages than anything else on websites!—to further encourage purchase decisions.


Designing your product pages

Setting up eCommerce is a great way to increase your online sales. However, if you don't design your product pages correctly, it will be difficult for customers to find what they're looking for and buy from your website. 


Here are a few tips on designing effective product pages:

  • Use simple and easy-to-understand language on your product pages. Make sure all of the text is laid out in an easy-to-read format with plenty of whitespace between paragraphs.
  • Include images that help shoppers visualize what the product looks like. Images can be used as part of the main body of the page, or as separate galleries at the top or bottom of the page.
  • Use clear labels to differentiate different categories and features within each category. This will make it easier for shoppers to find what they're looking for quickly and easily.
  • Make sure prices are accurate and current across all regions/locations where you sell products (including international markets). Correct pricing not only makes it easier for buyers to determine value but also ensures that you aren't taking advantage of lower prices in other countries by selling through illegitimate channels such as P2P networks or marketplaces.


Fulfilling orders and shipping products

Setting up an eCommerce business is a complex and time-consuming process. It's important to have a system in place that allows you to fulfil orders quickly and efficiently, so your customers can receive their products as soon as possible. 


Here are some tips for fulfilling orders successfully: 

  • Use automated shipping robots to automate the shipping process; 
  • Use fulfilment centres that can handle large volumes of products quickly and easily.
  • Build a strong customer database using contact forms, live chat rooms, or email marketing campaigns.
  • Create detailed product descriptions and include images of each item for shoppers who are indecisive.
  • Provide accurate delivery estimates so shoppers know how long it will take for their order to arrive.


Keeping track of inventory and sales

Keeping track of inventory and sales when setting up eCommerce can be a challenge. There are a number of different systems available, and it can be difficult to decide which one is right for your business. 


Here are some tips on how to keep track of inventory and sales:

  • Use an online system like Shopify or Bigcommerce. These platforms include built-in inventory management tools that make it easy to keep track of what you have in stock and how much revenue each product is generating. 
  • Use software like QuickBooks Online or TaxActs Pro Deluxe to manage your finances and track your sales data. This will help you understand where your profits are coming from, as well as identify any potential problems early on – saving you time and money down the road. 
  • Keep records of all shipments in a physical ledger, such as an Excel spreadsheet or PDF document. This will help you verify orders accurately, prevent fraud, and minimize mistakes made during the shipping/receiving processes.


Managing customer support and complaints

When setting up eCommerce, it's important to prepare for the inevitable customer complaints and support requests. This means having a plan in place for how you will handle these situations. 


Here are some tips on how to manage customer support when setting up your online store: 

  • Keep a record of all interactions with customers. Not only will this help you track down issues faster, but it will also help you build a better understanding of your customer's needs and preferences.
  • Respond quickly to complaints and questions. If something goes wrong with an order or purchase, be sure to respond as soon as possible so that the customer can get their issue resolved as quickly as possible. Don't make them wait on hold or contact multiple staff members before getting an answer - this just makes them angry and frustrated instead of happy and satisfied!
  • Offer refunds or changes to orders that haven't been delivered yet. 

This way, customers feel like they're being treated fairly even if there was an error during their purchase process (or at any point after).

By following these simple tips, you'll be able to smoothly manage customer concerns while still providing excellent service quality.


Protecting your intellectual property and copyright

When setting up eCommerce, it is important to protect your intellectual property and copyright. 


There are a number of ways you can do this, depending on the type of business you're running. Here are some tips:

  • Register your trademark or logo with the appropriate government authority. This will help ensure that others don't use your ideas without permission.
  • Make sure you have a copyright agreement in place with all suppliers and clients. This will protect your rights to the content you produce, as well as any designs or trademarks used in your business.
  • Ensure that all materials used in marketing Your Business are properly copyrighted and protected by law. This includes website design, social media posts, logos, etc.


Bottom Line

Here we have laid down all the relevant information about starting an online business, related to setup and operations. We also provided tips and best practices that will help you get off to a great start. To sum it up, without being overconfident or jumping into anything too quickly, it’s time for you to launch your website!


As the Strategic Advisor Board is an advisory group, we are here at your service if you need some extra guidance. Drop us a request today and one of our experts will be in touch with you shortly.