eCommerce sites are among the most successful businesses today, and it would appear that this way of doing business may well be the norm in the foreseeable future. In fact, Nasdaq estimates that as much as 95% of all purchases will be through eCommerce by the year 2040.
As with anything worth doing, however, building e-commerce websites is not something you can ideally complete within a short period. There are so many factors to consider — platform, payment processing systems, what to sell, audience targeting, shipping and delivery policies, and so on.
The simple reality is that laying down the roots for your online store will be one of the hardest things you’ll have to do as a business owner. Done properly, however, the rewards are virtually limitless. eCommerce business owners have been known to rake in sizable profits in very short periods.
With that in mind, let us walk you through 12 integral steps to building a successful eCommerce site in the next 12 months:
1. Secure your domain name
Choose a name that is short, catchy, and easy to remember. Don’t try to overcomplicate things, the best strategy is to choose something related to your niche or a name that holds some meaning for you and is easily brandable.
2. Hire a web developer
Your website is at the center of your eCommerce business and therefore you cannot afford to slack off on its quality. Yes, there are several web design platforms promising easy website builders with drag-and-drop functionalities.
These are good for the front-end of your site, but you also need to make sure the back-end of your site is up to par. Things like site speed, plugins, on-page SEO, and other technical stuff are important for the proper functioning of your site. For these tasks, consider hiring a web developer.
3. Get your paperwork in order
Don’t try to skip the line. A successful business is a legitimate business. Make sure you have everything you need—from registering your business to filing your taxes.
4. Select your eCommerce platform
There are many platforms to choose from. Two of the most popular beginner-friendly options are Shopify and WooCommerce. If you want an all-in-one solution, Shopify is a great choice. But if you want something with more customization options, WooCommerce may be the way to go.
5. Decide on a theme
Design is just as much a part of your success as any other aspect of your business. Choose a theme, color palette, and font styles that would solidify the look and feel of your brand.
6. Invest in a CRM/autoresponder
Before you launch your website, it’s important to have a CRM and autoresponder in place. This will help you collect leads as well as connect with them to nurture them before you even start selling your products.
7. Pump out valuable content
Want to know what the best lead magnet is? Valuable content. Provide value to your viewers and position yourself as an authority figure in your relative field to get them interested in your website. This will funnel in organic traffic before your products hit the shelf.
8. Launch your website
Once you have a decent enough resource pool, it’s time to launch your website. Make sure you have your landing pages in place and that you commit to a consistent schedule of posting content to keep your visitors interested. This will help you generate trust so that they’re more interested in purchasing your products once they’re available.
9. Run your marketing strategy
If you’re not a marketing guru, it would be a good idea to reach out to an expert to help you out so you don’t waste your money running ineffective ads. This is also a good opportunity to engage with potential leads to generate organic interest.
10. Set up a payment gateway
Your customers can’t buy from you if you don’t have payment providers available. Make sure you choose trusted ones like Paypal or Stripe so you’re protected from fraudulent activity.
11. Prepare your packaging and figure out storage options
Before you start selling, make sure you’re prepared to fulfill your orders. Whether you’re dropshipping, or keeping your own inventory, make sure you figure out the logistics to ensure a smooth transaction.
12. Upload your products
It’s finally time to add products to your store. If you have social accounts on Facebook or Instagram, it’s also a good idea to open up a catalog so you can sell directly on the platform.
Tulumi is your trusted partner in building a successful eCommerce site
Don’t have the time or know of any resources that could help you effectively create a successful website for your eCommerce business? At Tulumi, we are dedicated to helping eCommerce businesses thrive in digital marketing service. We offer a full suite of digital marketing solutions to help you launch and maintain a successful eCommerce site.
Get started today by calling (800) 481-1720.
