6 Tips On How To Start An Online Store
Do you want to sell products or offer services over the Web and start earning money by using your computer alone? If you do, then read on. I will be giving you tips on how to start an online store that can be the next BIG thing in the online world.
1. Choose the products or services that you would want to buy yourself.
The products or services you offer, should be things that you have personally tried or items that you are very confident about. You should never come up with an online store that would be selling products that you don't believe in. Remember that not everyone will be impressed by your services at first glance. Thus, you need to know your products inside and out for you to convince people to look at them in your website and eventually buy them from your online store.
2. Know your competitors.
This may sound unethical, but knowing more about your competitors can actually help you have that edge over them. So, don't hesitate to visit their websites, know the prices of their products and set standards for your own site based on the information that you have gathered. Make people want your items over theirs by giving discounts or package deals that shoppers won't be able to resist. Also, make a user friendly website so your clients won't find it hard to look for the items they want. Look to have features that people won't be able to find in your competitor's websites so you can start gaining their trust and loyalty.
3. Sell your products one by one.
Don't create your online store just yet. I know that you're very excited to have one but you have to test your items first. You need to make sure that the public will love them and that they will start looking for more of your products.
Now, how can you do that?
You may simply sell them one by one in websites such as Half.com, Craiglist and Ebay. From there, you can determine whether your items are truly worth selling or not.
4 Create your website.
Once you're certain that your products would be able to "shine" in the online market, then it's time for you to start creating your website. If you're a programmer, then you can easily build your site using your own codes. If you don't have the skills in making an efficient online store, then you can either avail of affordable general e-commerce services or hire the services of a professional programmer for you to get the website that you want.
5.Advertise your store.
Talk about it in your social networking accounts. Better yet, create a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account for your website. Include the basic details about your website in the account. You may even post pictures of your products if you want to. Include the link of your website in all of your posts and ask your friends to share the accounts that you have created as well. Invite other people to visit the social networking accounts of your website and encourage them to interact in your posts. Ask them to leave not only comments but suggestions too.
Aside from using the Internet in promoting your store, you can talk about it personally with your neighbors and colleagues as well. Word of mouth is definitely one of the best ways to spread the awareness about your newly established online store.
6.Take a BIGGER step.
Once you what people are looking for in your online store, it is safe for you to take that bigger step. Get several items from your supplier. However don't go beyond your budget if you don't want to go bankrupt. Anyway, just get the number of products that would meet the demand of your clients. If things start to get busy for you, then you can hire other people to manage your online store. This way you would be able to focus on your regular job if you have one. Having an online store for additional income is one of the greatest things in this world. However, you have to know what your doing! It is one to to start an online store, promoting it and attracting customers is something else...
About The Author :
Linda Nuyts
As a work at home mom, I am always striving to balance work and life. It hasn't been easy, but I never gave up and learned, learned, learned... And now I feel empowered and sure that me, my family and my business will be thriving now and for years to come!
My blog and my aricles are a reflection of everyting I have learned and am still learning. So join me if you want at http://empowernetwork.com/lindasinspirations.
Do you want to sell products or offer services over the Web and start earning money by using your computer alone? If you do, then read on. I will be giving you tips on how to start an online store that can be the next BIG thing in the online world.
1. Choose the products or services that you would want to buy yourself.
The products or services you offer, should be things that you have personally tried or items that you are very confident about. You should never come up with an online store that would be selling products that you don't believe in. Remember that not everyone will be impressed by your services at first glance. Thus, you need to know your products inside and out for you to convince people to look at them in your website and eventually buy them from your online store.
2. Know your competitors.
This may sound unethical, but knowing more about your competitors can actually help you have that edge over them. So, don't hesitate to visit their websites, know the prices of their products and set standards for your own site based on the information that you have gathered. Make people want your items over theirs by giving discounts or package deals that shoppers won't be able to resist. Also, make a user friendly website so your clients won't find it hard to look for the items they want. Look to have features that people won't be able to find in your competitor's websites so you can start gaining their trust and loyalty.
3. Sell your products one by one.
Don't create your online store just yet. I know that you're very excited to have one but you have to test your items first. You need to make sure that the public will love them and that they will start looking for more of your products.
Now, how can you do that?
You may simply sell them one by one in websites such as Half.com, Craiglist and Ebay. From there, you can determine whether your items are truly worth selling or not.
4 Create your website.
Once you're certain that your products would be able to "shine" in the online market, then it's time for you to start creating your website. If you're a programmer, then you can easily build your site using your own codes. If you don't have the skills in making an efficient online store, then you can either avail of affordable general e-commerce services or hire the services of a professional programmer for you to get the website that you want.
5.Advertise your store.
Talk about it in your social networking accounts. Better yet, create a Facebook, Twitter or Instagram account for your website. Include the basic details about your website in the account. You may even post pictures of your products if you want to. Include the link of your website in all of your posts and ask your friends to share the accounts that you have created as well. Invite other people to visit the social networking accounts of your website and encourage them to interact in your posts. Ask them to leave not only comments but suggestions too.
Aside from using the Internet in promoting your store, you can talk about it personally with your neighbors and colleagues as well. Word of mouth is definitely one of the best ways to spread the awareness about your newly established online store.
6.Take a BIGGER step.
Once you what people are looking for in your online store, it is safe for you to take that bigger step. Get several items from your supplier. However don't go beyond your budget if you don't want to go bankrupt. Anyway, just get the number of products that would meet the demand of your clients. If things start to get busy for you, then you can hire other people to manage your online store. This way you would be able to focus on your regular job if you have one. Having an online store for additional income is one of the greatest things in this world. However, you have to know what your doing! It is one to to start an online store, promoting it and attracting customers is something else...
About The Author :
Linda Nuyts
As a work at home mom, I am always striving to balance work and life. It hasn't been easy, but I never gave up and learned, learned, learned... And now I feel empowered and sure that me, my family and my business will be thriving now and for years to come!
My blog and my aricles are a reflection of everyting I have learned and am still learning. So join me if you want at http://empowernetwork.com/lindasinspirations.
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