Home » Products » Websites Products » 5 Essential Tips To Build A Successful Online Store
They say no one can stop an idea whose time has come! But the most important element is ‘getting an idea’. All online marketplaces are the result of an idea that aimed at solving a problem. Be it an online grocery store or online malls, they aim at providing ease, reduced costs and savings on time for the customers.
Thus, the first and foremost thing before venturing into starting an online store is to think about what solution you want to provide to your customers your potential audience and if there is a demand for it? If the answer is ‘Yes’ (based on your real-time surveys, market research, analysis, etc), we are here to guide you on the next steps to build your online store.
Here are 5 tips that can help you build your online store with ease:
- Decide your niche and products
It is important to know your strengths. Identify the exclusive advantage or USP which you have over other players in the market. In this competitive world of online stores, it is important to stand out for your customers to notice you!
Your niche may not necessarily be your product but could also be your delivery model, your customer-connect model or your package pricing model. To begin with, it is advisable to focus on your core products and not to diversify too much to remain focused on your initial idea.
- Decide on a business name
While this may seem to be an easy task, it is a very critical aspect. There have been businesses that have skyrocketed just because of the interest and buzz they create with their name. It is important to keep in mind your target audience.
For example, recent Indian apps focusing on small traders have come out with names like ‘Khata Book’ and ‘OkCredit’ which resonate more with the trading community.
Once you decide on your business name, make sure to register the domain name. Your domain name must reflect your business idea and the values your brand stands for. Along with this, ensure that both the domain name and the extension are simple and easy to recall.
- Build your online store
After you’ve decided on your niche and business name, it is time to bring your business website to life. There are two ways of going about it: choosing a hosting provider and a web developer to build your website from scratch or building it using a website builder.
Assuming you are new to the online business world, you might not want to spend too much time and energy on developing your website from scratch. Although if you have the necessary capital, it is absolutely alright to choose this path, where the web hosting company manages your website and the functioning whereas you can take care of the marketing aspect.
However, if you prefer to build and manage your own website then building it using a website builder is a better option. BigRock’s WebsiteBuilder is the perfect tool when building your first online store. Not only is it easy to use but also quick, and requires zero coding know-how.
- Design an engaging web design
Even if your website sells products similar to other websites in your niche it is crucial that you distinguish yourself from other brands. Distinguished customer service is one of the ways to achieve that.
Your website customer service is not limited to just providing customer support but also the design of your website. A slow loading, non-responsive and poor website design can hamper the overall performance of your business. Make sure that you do not add unnecessary elements to your website design, and keep it neat and uncluttered. The idea is that your website should look professional with minimal text and captivating product placement, as well as, images.
- Leverage social media
Social media is the modern way to advertise your business and communicate with customers on a personal level. With several social media sites available, you might want to research each platform and how they can serve to enhance your business by connecting to customers — both existing and potential.
Most social networking sites come with their inbuilt analytic tools to track and monitor customer behaviour. Along with this, a strong social media presence also helps you sell your products more creatively and build a bigger brand. The right social media marketing plan can help your website receive more traffic and boost sales.
Let’s Start Building
An idea can indeed change your life but it takes the right communication and execution for it to be a success. If you’re still wondering if you should venture into the busy world of online stores or not, it is time to stop procrastinating and start building.
If you have any questions or suggestions, feel free to leave them in the comments section below. Also, head to our Websites category on the blog to know more and stay updated.