If you are looking to make money online then there are various ways that you could go about it. One with a good potential for bringing in some extra funds is to start an online store. You can keep costs low by handling the day to day running and marketing side yourself. You won’t need to invest too much money initially and could see a good return on your money. Starting an online store could be the perfect solution for you if you are looking to start a second line of income or to support yourself through university. It could even be your main income source if you do things correctly. Here are six simple steps to ensure that you get off on the right foot from the very start.
1 – Naming your Store and Purchasing a Domain Name
Choosing a name for your store is the most important first step. You need to go with something personal to you. Choose something that you’re passionate about but that is versatile enough to stand the test of time. If you are looking for a business idea that will stand out from the crowd, then you need to be creative with your name. Avoid overly long website names and URL’s as they aren’t short and snappy enough to stick in your customers heads. You need something memorable. Something that is easy to say and easy to remember will ultimately keep people returning.
2 – Creating a Logo and Brandable Business
Start by researching terms such as business systems and process analyst job descriptions. This will give you some initial guidance on how to solve problems that commonly arise in business. The more prepared you are, the more likely you are to succeed from day one. Don’t wait for problems to happen, actively plan so that they never do. Next you should design a logo for your business. If you are creative, then you could do this yourself. If not then there are plenty of places to hire a good freelance graphic designer who will guide you through the process and create a few initial mock-ups for you to check over. When you are happy with the final design, think about how it will look online
3 – Choosing Store Building Software
Choosing the right system from which to run your online store is important. Try places such as Shopify and Big Cartel, which are reliable and competitively priced.
4 – Stocking your Store
Next you need to stock your store. You can choose to drop-ship your items or buy items in and sell them from home. Remember that you’ll need somewhere to store that stock!
5 – Marketing your Online Store
Marketing is an essential part of any business. Think about how you can start creating a buzz around your store. Online contests and giveaways can be good crowd pleasers and will give people a reason to click onto your store.
6 – Building a Regular and Returning Customer Base
Good customer service is essential in building a loyal and returning customer base. You will also need to think about rotating your stock on a regular basis. People will want to see new and exciting things stocked. Give them a reason to click through by telling them about exciting new launches!
