How to build an online store from scratch

Ecommerce has seen a remarkable rise in popularity in recent years, becoming the preferred method of purchase for consumers worldwide. If you’re considering becoming your own boss, have a unique product or service, or simply want to enter the thriving online market, it’s time to build your own online store. Get ready to embark on an exciting journey into the world of ecommerce.

A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO ECOMMERCE: 8 ESSENTIAL STEPS TO SUCCESS

Embarking on the journey of building a business from the ground up is undeniably challenging, but it’s certainly within reach. If you’re considering venturing into the world of ecommerce, you’ll find that all you require is a modest investment of funds and a significant amount of time. The process of starting an ecommerce business may initially appear daunting, but rest assured, it can be made more manageable.

In the following sections, we outline the essential steps to kickstart the development of your very own online business.

1. SETTING THE FOUNDATION

While it’s assumed that you have a well-defined product or service in mind, conducting thorough external and internal analyses of your idea before building an online store is crucial. Pay close attention to demographic, economic, technological, and socio-cultural factors that could impact your venture. Determine your target audience and identify your competitors, pricing strategies, and potential limitations.

Taking into consideration all these variables prior to embarking on your entrepreneurial journey is highly recommended. The ecommerce industry is expansive and diverse, and even the behemoths of today, like Amazon, began as small online stores or niche ecommerce ventures. By preparing in advance, you can avoid surprises and set yourself up for success.

2. SELECTING A MEMORABLE DOMAIN AND DESIGN

Once you have a well-defined business idea and have chosen your preferred business model, it’s time to unleash your creativity and select a fitting name and domain. Fortunately, there are numerous online tools available today that enable you to create an ecommerce website for free. However, if your budget allows, it is advisable to invest in a reliable hosting company. A seamless browsing experience with optimal loading speed is paramount for achieving success.

When it comes to design, your website should embody originality, visual appeal, and user-friendliness. Personal branding is the key to building trust with your customers. Just like your company name, the domain name holds significant importance as it becomes the identifier for consumers. Choosing the right domain name plays a pivotal role in enhancing brand recall and overall awareness.

CHOOSE THE ECOMMERCE PLATFORM

If you’re in search of dedicated platforms for building online stores, there are several popular ecommerce platforms worth considering:

1. Shopify: Known for its user-friendly interface and comprehensive features, Shopify is a widely used ecommerce platform that caters to businesses of all sizes.
2. Magento: Recognized for its scalability and flexibility, Magento is an open-source platform that offers advanced customization options and robust functionality.
3. WordPress (WooCommerce plugin): As a widely adopted content management system, WordPress becomes an excellent choice for ecommerce when paired with the WooCommerce plugin. It provides a seamless integration of online store capabilities with the familiar WordPress interface.
4. Prestashop: Offering a range of built-in features, Prestashop is a user-friendly platform that is suitable for small to medium-sized businesses. It provides various customization options and supports multiple languages.
5. CCV Shop: CCV Shop is a dedicated ecommerce platform that offers a user-friendly interface and comprehensive features for creating online stores. It provides tools for managing products, orders, payments, and more. CCV Shop caters to businesses of all sizes and aims to simplify the process of running an online store.

These platforms serve as powerful tools to establish and manage your online store, each with its own strengths and features tailored to different business needs. Consider exploring their functionalities to determine which one aligns best with your ecommerce goals.

3. EXPLORING DIVERSE BUSINESS MODELS

The notion of a business model encompasses the methods through which companies create and capture value, ultimately driving their profitability. This term encompasses various aspects, including economic value, social impact, and other forms of value. While it certainly explains how a company generates revenue, its significance extends far beyond that, shaping the overall strategy of the organization.

In the realm of online business, in addition to the traditional purchasing system involving economic transactions for products or services, several models have gained popularity:

MARKETPLACE

A marketplace refers to an internet-based platform that connects multiple buyers and sellers, providing merchants with an opportunity to sell their products and services. This model offers significant advantages for both consumers and sellers alike. Buyers benefit from a diverse range of products and services, while sellers gain access to a vast pool of potential customers.

One of the key reasons buyers are drawn to marketplaces is the extensive selection they offer, catering to high expectations in terms of choice. Conversely, marketplaces have gained widespread popularity due to their stringent regulations, aimed at enhancing the security of transactions. Notable examples of successful marketplaces include Amazon, eBay, and Aliexpress, which have revolutionized online commerce by facilitating secure and efficient exchanges between buyers and sellers.

AUCTION PURCHASING

The online auction purchasing system is closely associated with eBay, the pioneering company that introduced consumer-to-consumer auctions. eBay’s business model is straightforward: individuals pay to list their products for auction, and when those products sell, eBay takes a percentage of the final sale price. This model offers several advantages.

Firstly, sellers benefit from significant exposure for their listings, increasing the chances of selling their products. In some cases, sellers even make more money than they initially anticipated. Secondly, buyers have access to a vast catalog of products from the comfort of their homes and at any time of the day. This convenience allows for a seamless shopping experience and the opportunity to explore a wide range of offerings. eBay’s platform has played a pivotal role in revolutionizing online auctions and continues to provide value for both sellers and buyers.

FREEMIUM MODEL

The freemium model, derived from the fusion of “free” and “premium,” brings together two elements of a business model. It combines the revenue generated from advertising in free content models with the income derived from premium or paid services. This approach entails offering a basic service at no cost while providing additional value through paid packages with enhanced features.

The online landscape is teeming with successful examples of freemium models, including Spotify, Evernote, Dropbox, and Flickr. These companies have leveraged this strategy effectively, providing users with a free entry-level service while offering enticing premium options for those seeking enhanced functionality and a more comprehensive experience. The freemium model has proven to be a compelling approach in the digital world, striking a balance between accessibility and the monetization of value-added services.

AFFILIATION

Among the array of models commonly encountered in the digital landscape, two noteworthy ones are pay-per-view and pay-per-query.

The pay-per-view model is straightforward: businesses pay a fee to have their presence on a website or directory. This approach grants them visibility and exposure to potential customers, amplifying their online reach.

On the other hand, the pay-per-query model is often utilized by companies with extensive databases. Their core business revolves around commercializing access to these databases. These websites act as intermediaries, connecting interested individuals with specific products offered by affiliated companies. In this arrangement, the affiliated company compensates the website a percentage of the sales generated through their users.

These models effectively leverage online platforms, creating mutually beneficial relationships between businesses, directories, and websites. They offer diverse ways for companies to boost their online presence, connect with their target audience, and drive sales.

SUBSCRIPTION

The membership or subscription business model revolves around providing exclusive access to content in exchange for payment. Subscription-based ecommerce is undoubtedly one of the most successful models, offering benefits for both consumers and merchants. It grants customers the desired flexibility while ensuring long-term business sustainability for merchants. When implemented effectively, this model can fuel substantial business growth, providing a steady monthly income stream.

This approach is prominently employed by entertainment platforms like Netflix. Users are charged a fixed fee on a monthly or annual basis, granting them unrestricted usage of the platform’s content. By offering a subscription service, companies can cultivate a loyal customer base and generate consistent revenue, while customers enjoy the convenience of ongoing access to a wealth of entertainment options. The subscription business model continues to thrive across various industries, proving to be a win-win for both businesses and consumers.

DROPSHIPPING

Dropshipping has emerged as a popular business model within the ecommerce industry. With this approach, a company doesn’t maintain inventory of the products it sells. Instead, when a dropshipping retailer makes a sale, they purchase the item directly from a third-party supplier who then ships it directly to the customer.

Essentially, if you choose to adopt dropshipping for your ecommerce venture, your role is primarily that of a storefront. Customers visit your website, place orders, and make payments. Once an order is received, you collect payment from the customer and then place an order with the dropshipper, who charges you for the product. The unique aspect of this model is that businesses operating through dropshipping never physically handle the products themselves. A well-known example of a company utilizing this model is AliExpress.

SHIPPING

Ensuring swift and precise order fulfillment is crucial for an impeccable customer experience. To achieve this, it’s essential to collaborate with a trustworthy dropshipper or establish an efficient in-house courier system. Additionally, providing real-time tracking information to customers simplifies the process of locating their orders.

If you prefer to avoid intermediaries, focusing on an effective courier system is imperative. Creating a well-defined shipping policy that aligns with customer expectations and clearly communicates shipping costs, terms, and limitations is essential. This sets the foundation for a transparent and satisfactory shipping process.

To streamline shipping operations, compare shipping rates, leverage label printing solutions, and automate shipping updates. These steps enhance efficiency, reduce errors, and keep customers informed about the progress of their shipments. By prioritizing speed, punctuality, and effective shipping management, you can elevate the overall quality of your ecommerce business.

4. CUSTOMIZING THE PRODUCTS

In the vast world of online stores, competition is inevitable. Therefore, it becomes crucial to explore avenues for customization and adding value to your products. Setting yourself apart from the competition and finding a unique selling proposition is key. Strive to be better than the rest.

To ensure a pleasant shopping experience on your ecommerce platform, it is essential to establish well-organized product category pages. Additionally, invest time in crafting compelling product descriptions and showcasing high-quality images. A persuasive product description should not only address the customer’s problem but also highlight the features and emphasize the main benefits to drive sales.

By focusing on differentiation, user-friendly navigation, and attention-grabbing product presentation, you can create an engaging online shopping environment that captivates customers and encourages them to make a purchase. Remember, adding value and providing a seamless experience are crucial elements in setting your online store apart from the competition and driving customer satisfaction.

5. PAYMENT METHODS

Offering a wide range of payment methods is essential for a seamless customer experience. Customers have diverse preferences when it comes to online shopping and payment options. Some may feel more secure with cash on delivery, while others prefer making transfers, paying by credit card, or utilizing platforms like PayPal. By providing multiple payment options, you enhance the overall experience for buyers.

Catering to different customer needs and preferences helps build trust and convenience. It ensures that individuals with varying payment preferences can complete their transactions without any hassle. Offering a variety of payment methods demonstrates your commitment to customer satisfaction and creates a more inclusive shopping environment. If you’re interested in exploring other ways to build trust with your customers, we recommend checking out our blog post that focus on trust signals.

Remember, the more payment options you make available, the better equipped you are to accommodate the preferences of a broader customer base. This flexibility fosters trust, improves conversion rates, and ultimately leads to a positive shopping experience for your customers.

6. CUSTOMER SERVICE

Satisfied customers not only tend to become repeat buyers but also play a crucial role in leaving positive reviews, which can significantly impact your sales. Displaying these reviews prominently can enhance your credibility and increase the likelihood of selling your products or services. This highlights the significance of providing excellent customer service.

When it comes to customer service, it is essential to consider various communication channels such as phone, WhatsApp, contact forms, or email. Assess your processes and determine the most effective means of serving your customers. Prompt and helpful assistance, regardless of the chosen channel, is key to ensuring customer satisfaction.

By prioritizing customer service, you build trust and foster positive relationships with your clientele. This, in turn, encourages repeat purchases and generates favorable reviews, which serve as valuable social proof for potential customers. Investing in outstanding customer service not only benefits your customers but also contributes to the long-term success and growth of your business.

7. ORGANIC TRAFFIC FOR YOUR WEBSITE

Is your online store effectively ranking on Google? Take a moment to open your web browser and conduct a quick search using your brand or company name. Evaluate how easily your website appears among the search results. Additionally, we recommend performing a few searches using relevant keywords that reflect your primary activities and significant products or services.

If you discover that your website is not appearing in the search results, or if you find it buried on the second or third page of Google, it’s time to prioritize SEO (Search Engine Optimization). SEO helps drive organic traffic to your website, meaning visitors who discover your site through search engines without any paid advertising costs. The key lies in investing in a well-structured website with tailored content that resonates with your target audience.

By focusing on SEO, you can enhance your online visibility and attract more potential customers to your website. Optimizing your website’s structure, creating engaging content, and incorporating relevant keywords are essential components of an effective SEO strategy. As a result, you’ll improve your chances of appearing higher in search engine results, reaching your target audience, and ultimately driving more organic traffic to your online store.

8. ONLINE ADVERTISING

Discovering your own online store amidst the vast sea of internet retailers can be quite challenging. Advertising is a powerful tool to let people know about your existence, but determining the most cost-effective advertising channel for your store requires careful consideration.

Before diving into advertising, it’s essential to define your campaign objectives and desired outcomes. Are you aiming to increase brand awareness or drive conversions? Your goals will shape the type of ads you create, as some objectives focus on impressions while others prioritize engagement. Engagement metrics can include video views, clicks, app installs, lead generation, or conversions.

While online advertising is a popular choice, it’s worth considering offline advertising as well, which follows the traditional approach. Evaluate the most critical periods for your sales and consistently analyze the performance of your campaigns. This allows you to make informed decisions and optimize your advertising strategies for maximum effectiveness.

Ultimately, finding the most cost-effective advertising channel for your online store involves aligning your objectives with the appropriate ad formats and platforms, while also considering offline advertising opportunities. By carefully planning and analyzing your campaigns, you can maximize the impact of your advertising efforts and drive the desired results for your business.

CONCLUSION

Embarking on the journey of building your own online store can be exciting and fulfilling. By following the essential steps outlined in this guide, you’ll be well-prepared to navigate challenges and seize opportunities.

From conducting market research and understanding your target audience to creating a visually appealing website and choosing the right ecommerce platform, each decision plays a crucial role in your success.

Exploring diverse business models, focusing on customer satisfaction through shipping logistics and payment options, and leveraging SEO and online advertising will further enhance your online presence and drive growth.

So, embrace the adventure of ecommerce and turn your dream into a thriving reality with dedication, creativity, and a customer-centric approach.