So, you want to start an online store. You have a great product and are ready to sell it to the world. But where do you start? How do you create an online store that is both professional and easy to use?
In this article, we’ll show you how to build an online store from scratch.
We’ll give you a step-by-step guide on how to create your eCommerce website, including choosing a web hosting service, designing your website, and adding products to your store.
Research your Target Market to Build an Online Store
If you want to build a successful online store, you need to start by doing your research. Who is your target market? What do they want? What do they need?
If you don’t know who your target market is, you won’t be able to build a store that appeals to them.
Take the time to do your research and figure out who you want to reach with your store. Once you know that, you can start building a site that they will love.
Choosing a right Domain Name for your Store
Choosing a domain name is one of the most important steps when building an online store.
Here are a few tips to help you choose the perfect domain name for your store:
- Keep it short and sweet.
- Make it relevant to your business.
- Avoid using hyphens or numbers. Use words and letters that are easy to read.
- Use a domain name generator tool. If you’re having trouble coming up with a good domain name, there are plenty of tools out there that can help (such as Nameboy, IsItWP, Domain.com, and DomainWheel).
Web Hosting and SSL
SSL (Secure Socket Layer) is essential for any site that’s handling sensitive information like credit card numbers. It encrypts data so that it can’t be intercepted by hackers. And because it’s a security protocol, most web hosts offer it as part of their hosting packages.
When choosing a web host, make sure to pick one that’s reliable and offers good customer support. You’ll also want to make sure that the host offers SSL.
Some of the best hosting providers are; Godaddy, Bluehost, Hostinger, and SiteGround.
Select the best eCommerce Platform
There are many different options available, and the right platform for your store will depend on a number of factors including the type of products you sell, your budget, and your technical expertise.
If you’re selling physical goods, then Shopify is a good option. It’s easy to use.
If you’re selling digital products, then Gumroad is a good option. It’s simple to set up and has a flat fee structure so you can keep more of your profits. If you’re on a tight budget, then Wix is a good option as it offers a free plan.
However, if you have the budget to invest in a premium platform like Shopify or BigCommerce, then you’ll get access to more features and support which can make setting up and running your store much easier.
Designing your website
The design of your website is the most important step. Not only does your website need to look good, but it also needs to be easy to use and navigate.
When designing your website, it should be:
- Visually appealing and professional looking.
- Easy to use and navigate.
- Optimized for search engines
- Responsive
Decide Product Categories
Before you can start selling anything online, you need to decide what products you want to sell.
Your product categories will determine everything from the layout of your website to the marketing campaigns you run.
So, take some time to think about what products you want to sell and how they fit together.
- Core products: These are the products that are essential to your business and make up the majority of your sales.
- Complementary products: These are products that complement your core products and help round out your offering.
- Other products: These could be seasonal items, clearance items, or other products that don’t fit into your other categories.
Ready your Product Photos and Description
If you plan to sell physical goods online, one of the most important things you’ll need to do is get high-quality photos of your products.
This will require some investment upfront, but it will be worth it in the long run as clear, professional photos can make or break a sale.
In addition to photos, you’ll also need to write compelling product descriptions that highlight the key features and benefits of your products.
SEO for your Online Store
SEO is one of the most important aspects of having an online store. There are a few things you can do to optimize your store for SEO:
- Always use relevant keywords.
- Make sure your website is mobile-friendly.
- Make sure your website loads quickly.
- Website traffic and conversions can be traced by Google Analytics.
Set up Payment Gateways
One of the most important aspects of setting up an online store is choosing the right payment gateway.
A payment gateway is a service that allows you to accept payments from customers on your website.
There are many different payment gateway providers, so it’s important to do your research and choose one that’s right for your business.
Hosted and non-hosted are the two main types of Payment Gateway:
Hosted gateways are provided by a third-party company and allow you to accept payments without having to set up your own merchant account.
Non-hosted gateways require you to set up a merchant account with your bank or another financial institution.
Once you’ve decided which type of gateway is right for you, the next step is to sign up for an account with a provider.
When you’re choosing a provider, be sure to compare fees, features, and reviews before making your decision.
Once you have an account set up, you’ll need to integrate it with your website. This typically involves adding a few lines of code to your website’s checkout process.
If you’re not comfortable doing this yourself, there are many companies that offer integration services.
Marketing your Online store on Social Media
Social media is a powerful tool to reach new customers and grow business. But what are the best ways to use social media for your online store?
Here are some tips:
Create relationships with your customers. Make sure you are responsive to answer their questions.
Share your story on social media, and make sure it is compatible with the story you tell on your website.
Your website should be SEO optimized and make sure that your social media links lead to your website. You should use powerful calls to action on your social media posts to inspire your customers to visit your website.