Figuring out how to sell your product online can feel challenging, especially if you’re doing it for the first time. And have no idea what to expect as you embark on this journey. The truth is, you’re bound to feel even more overwhelmed when your competitors seem to be doing better while you’re stuck on how best to market your product.
But, if you want to grow your business and make more profits, you have to learn how to sell online, which is not as complicated as most people think. Plus, thanks to e-commerce platforms, you can set up your online store and begin to reap the perks that come with being your own boss.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through steps on how to sell online in 2022. Let’s discuss.
- Find products you want to sell online.
If you’re just starting out, you want to choose products to sell based on your audience. However, if you’re planning on selling your own products, you need to think about cost-effectiveness when producing the same.
To save on costs, you can consider starting your eCommerce business with dropshipping, which means that you won’t have to keep the products you sell in stock but purchase them from a third party who will then ship them directly to customers. And then proceed to choose an e-commerce platform that comes with full design customization and professional business tools.
The best part about starting with dropshipping is that you will not need to handle products directly. You will need to do thorough research of the market trends to ascertain the demand for specific products. And then choose a reputable supplier who will provide you with the best quality inventory.
Before making the final decision for the supplier, ensure to place an order of the item you intend to sell. And be keen on its quality, lead time, packaging, unboxing, and every crucial detail that most customers pay attention to. If they meet and surpass your expectations, you can begin building a relationship with the supplier. Do not forget to white label your products.
By observing and listening to your customers, you will identify the exact product you need to sell, the most trending products, meet unmet needs etc. Some areas to think about include CBD, Games and leisure, pet and animals, accessories and apparel, fashion, etc.
Whatever the niche you want to specialize in, you want to pay keen attention to your competitors. Monitor the needs they need to fulfill for their varying customers and meet them. With this in mind, you can now decide the best option to sell your product, whether dropshipping, selling private labels, selling on marketplaces, or selling through online stores or channels such as Amazon, eBay, Google, Instagram, and Facebook.
- Create your e-Commerce brand
Strategizing your brand efforts is something you don’t want to take lightly since it helps shape your customer’s perception of what your brand is all about. Think carefully about your business name since this is what customers will identify you with, then buy a domain name that will not only help you rank on search results but attract potential customers. Do not forget to design a logo that’s eye-catching and unique and setting up a business email, which should feature your domain name to easily brand identification with potential and current customers.
- Create an online store
To sell online, you have to create an online store. And think about website builders that offer affordable pricing plans, professional tools to manage your store, and flexibility in designs.
- Marketing your products
Creating an online store does not stop there. You need to market your products. You can do this by finding new shoppers who will help drive traffic and ensure that you rank high on search engines such as Google so that potential customers will effortlessly find your online store. Consider online advertising on platforms such as Facebook, Instagram, and Google, using influencers to push your brand forward, offering coupons, and discounts and chatting with customers to ensure that your product meets and surpasses their expectations.
Also, remember to send customers emails and ensure that links work well even on mobile devices since this is where customers shop most.
- Begin to accept payments
The payment methods you choose should be secure and have low entry barriers. That includes Stripe, PayPal, Google Pay, Visa Checkout, Apple Pay, and Square. Think about options that your shoppers will be most comfortable with if they don’t want to enter their credit card numbers and offer them a memorable shopping experience.
Additionally, think about how the money will get into your bank account, sales tax rules by talking to an experienced accountant, and how to manage your business finances.
- Shipping
Since your customers will come from far and wide, you need to think about shipping them your products. And the best shipping carriers in the market. Think about free shipping if you’re ready to absorb the costs, or if customers pay for these rates, they should be affordable and make sense. Do not forget to add any additional charges at checkout and offer shipping promotions.
Besides, do not forget to give your customers a memorable unboxing experience by writing warm and personal notes. And not generic messages. That will help them remember your brand!
- Growing your business
Finally, to grow your business, you have to think about automating your workflow. That will help save time and avoid costly mistakes during operations. Additionally, ensure that your productivity apps connect with your online store and lookout for analytics since they will make informed decisions. And identify where you need to put more effort to grow your brand and business.
