Last Update: October 2024 Whether you want to expand the reach of your brick-and-mortar store or develop a product into a business, an ecommerce store can help you achieve your goals. With a strong product idea and an optimized online store, you can sell to customers anywhere. In this beginner's guide, we'll cover everything you need to get started with online sales. You'll learn how to sell online, from choosing the right products to setting up your store to marketing your business and reaching a wider audience. Create a Business PlanBefore you begin building, you need a business plan. Creating this plan helps you understand how to differentiate your business, who to market to, and what to sell online. A business plan estimates your expenses and projects your revenue, helping you make smarter financial decisions. It also helps plan your marketing strategy so you can start promoting your business. A typical business plan includes these elements:
Decide What to SellYour online store could sell anything from unique handmade items to trending ecommerce products. To build a store with the best selling products online, you need to know what your target audience wants. Once you have a basic idea of the problem you want to solve, use market research to validate the idea and fine-tune the concept. To do market research, use one of these methods:
Build Your Online StoreOnce you've decided on a product line, you're ready to set up your ecommerce store. The best platform to sell online depends on the size of your store and the design and marketing tools you need. Here are some of the most popular ecommerce platforms. Shopify supports millions of merchants and has options for basic and enterprise ecommerce. But its subscription costs and transaction fees can be expensive.  Wix has 500+ design templates and an array of built-in marketing tools. But it has fewer customization options than many other online selling platforms.  BigCommerce offers a popular enterprise ecommerce solution. But it isn't a realistic option for a small online store.  Once you've chosen an ecommerce platform, you're ready to build your store. The easiest way to create a website to sell products is to select a design template. Then, you can set up the homepage, product pages, and shopping cart flow. Develop Product Listings and DescriptionsProduct listings may seem like a minor detail. But they're critical for attracting customers to your site, conveying product information, and prompting website visitors to convert. To write effective product descriptions, you'll need to explain the item and share relevant measurements. But you should also use descriptions to tell a story that resonates with your audience. Don't forget about visuals. Product photos and videos are just as important as the description. While you don't necessarily need a professional camera, you do need an artificial light source to achieve best results. “With product-only photos, I don’t recommend using natural light because it can change so quickly,” explains product photographer Sara Aagesen. “You’re usually taking multiple shots from different angles, and if you’re using light from a window, when it gets cloudy, you’re suddenly shooting in a totally different light.” Choose Payment MethodsTo choose the right payment methods for your online store, check the options your website platform offers. Don't forget to check transaction fees. Then, consider your customers' preferences. Most ecommerce platforms support payment methods like the following:
Manage Shipping and FulfillmentWhen you use reliable shipping and fulfillment processes, you and your customers both benefit. You'll have an easier time managing inventory and handling returns, and customers will receive their purchases faster. You may even cultivate more loyal customers as a result. Inventory size and shipping needs factor into fulfillment options. Self-fulfillment is simpler for small businesses, while third-party fulfillment is better for larger businesses with expansive inventories. Consider shipping options carefully, too. Flat-rate shipping requires customers to pay for the cost up front, while free shipping means your business absorbs the cost. Free shipping may drive additional business, but it’s important to consider the threshold carefully. The average customer is willing to spend $40 to get free shipping. Market Your Online StoreJust because you've built an online store doesn't mean you'll instantly have customers. Use the ideas below to develop a marketing plan for your ecommerce store. Leverage Social MediaCreate a profile for your online store on social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok. Then, start posting engaging photos and videos of your products on a regular basis. For example:
To encourage followers to visit your online store, include a link in your social media bios. You can also include links to products or collections in Facebook posts and Instagram stories. Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO)With SEO, you attract customers as they search for the types of products you sell online. For example, Kittio and Meowingtons are two of the top-ranking ecommerce stores for the search query "cat toys."  To optimize your product pages for search, include relevant keywords (like "cat toys") naturally in descriptions and in alt text for images. Include these keywords in your product pages' meta tags, too. Find the right keywords to use with SEO platforms like Semrush or Ahrefs. These platforms have tools to help you create SEO plans, do keyword research, and perform competitive research. Automate Email MarketingWith email marketing, you can grow your customer list and your business. Email marketing lets you promote your business directly to engaged customers. This approach can drive repeat sales and increase loyalty. To get started with email marketing, choose a platform designed for ecommerce, such as Omnisend or Klaviyo. These platforms can integrate with your online store so you can easily promote products. Alternatively, use your ecommerce platform's built-in email marketing tools. Platforms like Wix and Shopify have email tools you can use to connect with customers. No matter which platform you choose, you can use it to send email newsletters or build behavior-based campaigns. Use email automation to send these marketing messages at the optimal time. For example, The Farmer's Dog uses email marketing to send discounts to new customers automatically. The company also uses automated personalization to connect with customers and make offers more compelling. Analyze and Improve PerformanceBuilding and promoting your store is just the beginning of the process. Once your store is live, it's important to monitor performance on an ongoing basis. Use your ecommerce platform or Google Analytics to monitor metrics like:
Improve your strategy using these analytics. For example, start by identifying your most profitable products to sell online or items with the highest conversion rate. Then, consider testing a similar format or layout for products with lower conversion rates. Or plan a marketing campaign to drive more customers to those top-performing products. Next Steps to Sell Products OnlineWith a well-planned ecommerce strategy, you can build a successful online store. And with a smart marketing strategy, you can promote your store and grow your business. Ready to begin building your business? Explore our top ecommerce tools and start selling your products online. Next Up Related Articles
About Anna Sonnenberg: SaaS ExpertAnna Sonnenberg is a seasoned B2B SaaS writer and small business owner. Specializing in martech, sales automation, and productivity software, Anna turns complex topics into clear, actionable insights. As a fellow entrepreneur, she's dedicated to helping you harness the right tools to grow your business. | _ |
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