Figuring out how to start an online business is no small task. But if you break it down into small parts, there’s no reason why you shouldn’t succeed. Here are some steps that you should follow.
Before beginning, have a clear idea of what your product or service is going to be. This is extremely important. Regardless of what kind of business you do, there’s going to be competitors. If you aren't well versed with your product/service, your competitors are going to race ahead of you.
Create a website that will sell your product/service is a first step towards starting any online business and go for Shopify if you are starting an online store or e-commerce business. Take care to ensure that your website is appealing to the target audience. Have a persona and design the website according to that. There are various self-hosted and hosted website builders available that you can take a look at. Make sure the features you’re choosing are compliant with your business model. Have an attractive and seamless landing page, catalogue pages, payment gateway, and POS (point of sale) software.
Set up support systems like logistics, IT support, and other services that you’ll need.
When all the setup is done, the most difficult part is conversion. Accumulating leads and converting them is the most important part of your business.
Selling online successfully is a combination of a number of factors. On a high-level, make sure you have a well-hosted website with proper search engine optimization. Make sure your website is attractive and user-friendly. Market it to the right audience with the right content on a variety of channels. Keep track of feedback using automation tools and improve on them. Finally, provide a quality product/service that satisfies your customer.
Define Your Product Or Service
Before beginning, have a clear idea of what your product or service is going to be. This is extremely important. Regardless of what kind of business you do, there’s going to be competitors. If you aren't well versed with your product/service, your competitors are going to race ahead of you.
- Here’s a few points to consider. What is your USP(unique selling point)?
- What can you offer that your competitors can’t?
- What problem does the customer face that you can solve?
Steps to Set Up
- Register your business -
Once you have everything in place, you should register your business with the legal authorities. Get all tax registrations and filings done. - Register a domain name -
Registering a website is more or less the beginning of your business. Find an appropriate and available domain name. That’s going to be your brand name and identity. You should also create a logo for the brand. - Get a web hosting service
Getting your domain hosted is the next step of setting up your business. Some services like Shopify offer domain name generation, registration, and hosting all under one roof. - Get required trademarks -
Once you are set with all of the above, then you should focus on getting trademarks and copyright for your domain name. That prevents any illegal use of your identity.
Creating Your Online Store
Create a website that will sell your product/service is a first step towards starting any online business and go for Shopify if you are starting an online store or e-commerce business. Take care to ensure that your website is appealing to the target audience. Have a persona and design the website according to that. There are various self-hosted and hosted website builders available that you can take a look at. Make sure the features you’re choosing are compliant with your business model. Have an attractive and seamless landing page, catalogue pages, payment gateway, and POS (point of sale) software.
Set up support systems like logistics, IT support, and other services that you’ll need.
Selling Your Services
When all the setup is done, the most difficult part is conversion. Accumulating leads and converting them is the most important part of your business.
- Add catchy content to your site -
Content marketing is inevitable for an online business. Make sure your website and blog have enough persuasive content. That generates leads and boosts conversion. - Social media marketing -
Social Media marketing is a major propeller for your business in the digital age. Have an online presence on all social media channels. You should also have a blog. Make sure you create a content calendar for your marketing strategy. Try to be as socially active as possible and make use of automation tools when you’re marketing through social media. Generally, images and videos have a higher CTR (click-through-rates) when compared to text. Stay up to date with current trends and capitalize on them. - Email marketing -
E-mail marketing has one of the highest conversion rates. Use automation tools to send out regular marketing emails to your existing and potential customers. Let them know about current offers and newly launched products. Remind them about incomplete checkouts or replenished stocks of products that they’re interested in.
Use Marketing Tools
- Add Google AdSense -
Use Google Adsense and find the right keyword for content that works best for you. Optimize the pay-per-click rates, and make sure the ad is placed correctly. - Google Analytics -
Set up Google Analytics to track your traffic. Record all the feedback and improvise based on the data you have. - SEO(Search Engine Optimization)
Search Engine Optimization is critical when you’re running a business online. When your target customer looks for products, they’re going to search for it online. That’s why you should ensure that your rank is high and you can get to the top of the search results. Good SEO directly influences conversion rate.
Selling online successfully is a combination of a number of factors. On a high-level, make sure you have a well-hosted website with proper search engine optimization. Make sure your website is attractive and user-friendly. Market it to the right audience with the right content on a variety of channels. Keep track of feedback using automation tools and improve on them. Finally, provide a quality product/service that satisfies your customer.
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