How to Build an Online Store that converts

Starting an online store can be exciting and overwhelming at same time. In this blog post you will learn how to get started. Before we start we will have to explain two model with regards to online store that will help you decide what model works for your business idea. There are two models on which you can run your online store that is e-commerce and drop shipping. The two models differ in order fulfilment process.

Ecommerce

Ecommerce, or electronic commerce, is the buying and selling of goods or services using the internet, and the transfer of money and data to execute these transactions. Ecommerce is often used to refer to the sale of physical products online, but it can also be used to describe the sale of digital products, such as software, music, and movies. There are many benefits to ecommerce for both businesses and consumers. For businesses, ecommerce can help to increase sales, reach a wider audience, and reduce costs. For consumers, ecommerce can offer convenience, a wider selection of products, and lower prices.

Ecommerce transactions can be made on a variety of devices, including computers, tablets, smartphones, and other smart devices. An ecommerce retail business requires you to set up a website where you can list your products in order to be accessible for purchase online. Customers should be able to add to cart/basket, Check Out and make payment online. When a customer places an order there is a process that runs in the background until the customer receives the purchased goods. The process generally consists of accepting the order; picking, packing, and shipping the items mentioned in the order; and finally tracking them until they get delivered.

E-commerce is the traditional model of selling products online. The store owner purchases the products from a wholesaler or manufacturer and then sells them to customers through their online store. The store owner is responsible for all aspects of the sale, including marketing, customer service, and shipping.

The basic steps involved in an ecommerce transaction are:

Customer Side
• A customer visits the online store and selects a product.
• The customer adds the product to their cart and proceeds to checkout.
• The customer provides their payment information and completes the purchase.

Store Side
• The store owner receives the order and processes it.
• The product is picked up from a warehouse.
• The order is packed and labeled with the customer’s shipping address.
• A shipping company or the store owner delivers the product to the customer.

Listed above are the basic steps involved in order processing for an ecommerce model.

Global retail ecommerce sales were valued at $5.2 trillion in 2021. This figure is expected to grow by 56% over the next five years, reaching $8.1 trillion by 2026.

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is a type of e-commerce business model in which the seller does not keep any inventory on hand. Instead, when a customer places an order, the seller contacts a supplier and has the product shipped directly to the customer. The seller does not have to worry about storing or shipping the products, and they can start selling products with very little upfront investment.

Here are the key differences between dropshipping and traditional e-commerce:

• Dropshipping businesses do not need to store inventory.
• Dropshipping businesses do not need to ship products.
• Dropshipping businesses can start with very little upfront investment.

The basic steps involved in dropshipping transaction are:

Customer Side
• A customer visits the online store and selects a product.
• The customer adds the product to their cart and proceeds to checkout.
• The customer provides their payment information and completes the purchase.

Store Side
• Order received and duplicate order placed with dropshipper*.
• The dropshipper* picks the product from their fulfillment center.
• The dropshipper* packs the customer order and ships it to your customers.

Dropshipper is an order fulfillment vendor.

Choosing Ecommerce Platform

There are two ways to build an online store: you can do it yourself or hire a web designer.

If you choose to build your own store, you will need to research and decide on which platform to use. There are many different platforms available, each with its own strengths and weaknesses. Some popular platforms include:

• WooCommerce
• Shopify
• Squarespace
• Wix
• BigCommerce

Once you have chosen a platform, you will need to learn how to use it. This can be a daunting task, especially if you are not tech-savvy. If you are not comfortable learning how to use a platform yourself, you may want to hire a web designer to help you.

A web designer can help you choose the right platform for your needs and build your store for you. They can also help you with marketing and SEO, so that your store can be found by potential customers.

If you are serious about starting an online store, we highly recommend working with a web designer. They can save you time, money, and headaches in the long run. In case you choose to undertake the task by yourself, don't hesitate to get in touch for complimentary guidance on the most suitable platform based on your requirements.

Ecommerce Marketing

When you built an online shop no one knows about it except you and your family but this is not why you built it you want real customers to visit and buy from your shop. Now this is the stage where most entrepreneurs give up. Launching an Online shop is one thing getting people to visit your shop and buy from it is another thing. Now getting online traffic to your shop to make purchase require the expertise of a digital marketer to build and implement ecommerce marketing strategies.

Ecommerce marketing is the process of promoting and selling products or services online. As a domain that is constantly evolving, it is vital that ecommerce entrepreneur abide by certain fundamental principles if they choose to undertake marketing themselves.

The first principle is to understand your target audience. Who are you trying to reach? What are their needs and wants? Once you understand your target audience, you can tailor your marketing messages to appeal to them.

The second principle is to create a strong brand identity. Your brand identity is what will make your business stand out from the competition. It should be consistent across all of your marketing channels, from your website to your social media presence.

The third principle is to use a variety of marketing channels. No single marketing channel is going to reach everyone. You need to use a variety of channels, such as search engine optimization (SEO), pay-per-click (PPC) advertising, social media marketing, and email marketing, to reach your target audience.

The fourth principle is to track your results. It is important to track your results so that you can see what is working and what is not. This will help you to optimize your marketing efforts and get the most out of your budget.

Ecommerce marketing is a complex and ever-changing field, but by following these principles, you can create a successful ecommerce marketing campaign.

Here are some additional tips for ecommerce marketing:

• Use high-quality images and videos.
• Write compelling copy.
• Offer free shipping and returns.
• Provide excellent customer service.
• Run sales and promotions.
• Partner with influencers.
• Attend industry events.
• Stay up-to-date on the latest trends.

By following these tips, you can increase your chances of success in ecommerce marketing. If you need help getting your store up and running, or promoting/marketing it, don't hesitate to contact us for a complimentary 30-minute consultation.