The ecommerce business industry is booming, and this trend will continue into the future. In 2022, It is expected that online business purchases made by consumers will account for 21% of total sales–a 17 percentage point increase from just two years ago! By 2025, we can expect 24-25%.
Starting your own eCommerce business can be a very profitable venture. However, it’s not as easy as just setting up a website and waiting for the customers to come flooding in. In order to be successful, you need to have a plan and follow some key steps.
This guide will provide you with the steps necessary to get your online business up and running from scratch.
So why should you trust this article?
I have over 10 years of ecommerce business experience, and I’ve worked as a Marketing Specialist for one of the largest companies in this industry. My skills also extend to managing 8-figure/year amazon teams and launching two online stores from scratch.
I know what it takes to get an eCommerce business off the ground and running smoothly, so you can rest assured that following these steps will set you on the right track.
Let’s dive in!
Free Download Now: The Essential Ecommerce Launch Checklist
What is an Ecommerce Business?
Ecommerce Business is the business of selling products online. Ecommerce businesses can sell physical or digital products, and they can be small businesses or large companies.
Popular Ecommerce Online Business Models
B2B: Business-to-business Ecommerce businesses typically sell products or services to other businesses. B2B Ecommerce business can be found in a variety of industries, including manufacturing, distribution, and wholesale. Alibaba, AliExpress and Rakuten are all examples of B2B Ecommerce businesses.
B2C: Business-to-consumer Ecommerce business sell products or services to consumers. These businesses can be found in a variety of industries, including retail, fashion, and food and beverage. Amazon, Walmart are examples of B2C businesses.
C2C: Consumer-to-consumer Ecommerce business allows consumers to sell products or services to other consumers. Good examples are eBay or Etsy.
D2C: Direct-to-consumer Ecommerce businesses sell products or services directly to consumers, without the use of a middleman. Some examples of successful D2C brands are Everlane, Bonobos and Warby Parker.
Common Types of E-commerce Business Models
Here are some of the most common Ecommerce business models:
Dropshipping
Dropshipping is a type of Ecommerce business model in which the Ecommerce store owner doesn’t keep any products in stock.
Instead, when a customer places an order on the store, the owner will purchase the product from a third-party supplier and have it shipped directly to the customer’s doorsteps. This means that you can start an ecommerce business without any upfront investment.
When an online store owner receives an order from a customer, they simply contact the supplier, who will then ship the products directly to the customer’s door. Dropshipping apps like Oberlo let you add products from various suppliers into your shop to fuel your product offering.
There are several reasons why you might want to start a dropshipping online business:
It’s easy to get started – Dropshipping is one of the easiest businesses to start and you can be up and running in just a few days.
No need to carry inventory – One of the biggest benefits of dropshipping is that you don’t need to carry any inventory. This means you don’t have to worry about storage costs or shipping products yourself.
You can start with a low investment – Because you don’t need to carry any inventory, you can start your dropshipping business with a very low investment.
You can run your business from anywhere – Dropshipping businesses are easy to run as all you need is an internet connection. This means you can run your business from anywhere in the world.
There are no limits to scaling – Once you’ve established your dropshipping business, there are no limits to how much you can scale. You can add as many products to sell online and suppliers as you want to continue growing your business.
However, there are some downsides to dropshipping that you should be aware of before getting started.
One of the biggest downsides to dropshipping is that you have less control over the quality of products you’re selling. This is because you’re relying on your suppliers to provide you with products that are up to your standards.
Lack of branding – Because you’re selling products that are already available on the market, it can be hard to create a unique brand identity for your online business. If you want to create a fully personalized shopping experience for your customers, dropshipping might not be the best option.
You will have to deal with returns – When selling online, you will inevitably have to deal with returns and refunds. If you are dropshipping, this means that you will have to contact your supplier and arrange for the return yourself. This can be time-consuming and frustrating, especially if your supplier is located in a different country.
High competition – Because dropshipping is such an easy business to get started, there is a lot of competition. This means that you need to be prepared to market your business effectively and stand out from the crowd.
Whether you’re a new entrepreneur or an experienced business owner, dropshipping is one of the simplest ways to start your own ecommerce business. You can make your dropshipping business a success by scaling it up with the right marketing and supplier strategies.
Subscriptions
The subscription-based ecommerce is a business model where customers pay a recurring fee to receive products or services on a regular basis. The most common type of subscription ecommerce business is the subscription box, where customers receive a curated selection of products each month.
Subscription eCommerce business model have become increasingly popular in recent years. Some examples of successful subscription ecommerce businesses are Birchbox, Dollar Shave Club and Trunk Club.
Some benefits of an Ecommerce subscription model are that it:
- Creates a recurring revenue stream
- Can increase customer lifetime value (CLV)
- Locks in customers and reduces churn
However, there are also some challenges associated with this type of ecommerce business, such as:
- It can be difficult to acquire new customers
- There is a higher risk of customer churn
- Requires a higher level of customer service and support
If you’re thinking of starting a subscription ecommerce business, there are a few key things you need to do to get started on the right foot.
Firstly, you need to have a strong value proposition that will appeal to customers and convince them to sign up for your service.
Second, you need to have a solid plan for fulfillment and customer service. This is especially important if you’re selling physical products, as you’ll need to make sure that your products are delivered on time and in good condition.
It’s also important to build up a solid base of customers before launch. This will help ensure that your business is successful from the start.
Finally, you need to be prepared for the challenges that come with running a subscription-based ecommerce business.
If you can overcome these challenges, you’ll be well on your way to running a successful subscription ecommerce business.
Private Labeling
Private labeling is another type of Ecommerce business model where businesses sell products that they have manufactured themselves. Private label products are usually sold under the brand name of the business, rather than the manufacturer.
Private labeling involves sourcing products from manufacturers and then selling them under your own brand. This can be a very profitable way to do business, as you’ll be able to control the price and margin on each product to sell online.
There are a few things you’ll need to do in order to get started with private labeling. First, you’ll need to find manufacturers that are willing to work with you. This can be done through online directories or by attending trade shows.
Once you’ve found a few manufacturers, you’ll need to negotiate terms and prices. Once that’s done, you’ll need to create your own branding for your products. This includes designing labels and packaging, as well as creating a website and marketing materials.
Having private labels allows you to have more control over your product, pricing, and margins. You’ll also be able to build your own brand equity, which can be very valuable.
The biggest downside of private labeling is the upfront investment that’s required. You’ll need to purchase products from manufacturers and then invest in branding and marketing. This can be costly, and there’s no guarantee that you’ll be successful.
Overall, private labeling is a great option for those looking to start their own ecommerce business. It’s important to do your research and understand the risks before getting started. But if you’re willing to invest the time and money, private labeling can be a very profitable way to do business.
Print-on-demand
Print on demand is a type of Ecommerce business where businesses sell products that are printed on demand. This can include things like t-shirts, mugs, and other promotional materials.
Print on demand industry has grown in recent years, making it easier than ever to launch your own ecommerce business. All you need is a design and a printer, and you can start selling custom products to customers all over the online business world.
With print on demand, there is no need to carry inventory or worry about manufacturing. This type of ecommerce business is perfect for entrepreneurs who want to get started quickly and without a lot of upfront investment.
There are several reasons why print on demand is a good option for starting an ecommerce business:
- Low startup costs: You don’t need to invest in inventory or manufacturing, so your startup costs are low.
- No risk of unsold inventory: Since you only print products as they are ordered, there is no risk of being stuck with unsold inventory.
- Efficient and scalable: Print on demand is a very efficient way to run an ecommerce business, and it can be easily scaled as your business grows.
- Shipping orders: When you use a print on demand service, they will take care of shipping orders for you. This can be a big time saver!
The cons of print on demand are that you have less control over the quality of your products and there can be some limitations on product design. Lower profit margins are also common with this type of business.
Now that you know the pros and cons of starting a POD business, let’s look at how to get started.
Getting started with print on demand is easy and there are a few different ways you can do it. The most popular way is to use a platform like Shopify or WooCommerce. These platforms will allow you to create an online store and connect it to a print on demand company.
Another option is to use a print on demand company that has its own ecommerce platform, such as Printful or Zazzle. This can be a good option if you want a turn-key solution that is easy to set up and start selling.
No matter which route you choose, starting a print on demand business is a good way to get started in ecommerce business with low startup costs and no risk of unsold inventory.
Which one do you think would be the best fit for your products or services? Keep in mind what you hope to achieve with your online store.
Do your research on each type of eCommerce business model before making a final decision – it could mean the difference between failure and success down the road.
Mindset: Why People Fail
Ecommerce is a tough business. It’s not for everyone. In fact, most people who try to start an ecommerce business fail. Why? There are many reasons, but one of the biggest is that they don’t have the right mindset.
They have a mindset to get rich quickly. Ecommerce business is not a get rich quick scheme. It’s a real business that takes time, effort, and patience to grow. If you’re not willing to put in the work, you will not be successful.
A lot of stuff on social media and the internet makes it seem like ecommerce is easy. It’s not. Ecommerce is hard work. But it’s also very rewarding. If you’re willing to put in the effort, ecommerce can be a great business for you.
So, if you’re thinking about starting an ecommerce business, the first step is to make sure you have the right mindset. Here are three things you need to keep in mind:
Providing Value First
Ecommerce businesses are built on providing value to customers. You need to have a product or service that people want or need. Don’t try to start an ecommerce business just to make money. That’s not a sustainable long-term business model.
Building a real business. Ecommerce business take time to build. There’s no such thing as an overnight success. You need to be patient and put in the work. It takes time to create a successful ecommerce business.
Focus on One Thing
When you’re first starting out, it’s important to focus on one thing at a time. Don’t try to do too many things at once. You’ll get overwhelmed and won’t be able to focus on any of them properly.
For example, if you’re selling products on Shopify, focus on how to create great ads to increase conversions. Don’t worry about things like social media or email marketing until you’ve mastered ads. Once you’ve gotten good at ads, then you can start to focus on other things.
One step at a time. E commerce business is a journey. It’s not a destination. There’s no finish line. Enjoy the process and focus on taking one small step at a time.
Manage Risk
As an ecommerce business owner, it’s important to be aware of the potential risks associated with running an online store. While there are many benefits to owning an ecommerce business, there are also a few risks that you should be aware of.
E Commerce Business Risk #1: Violating Intellectual Property
One of the risks associated with running an ecommerce store is violating someone’s intellectual property. This can happen if you use copyrighted material on your website or sell products that infringe on someone’s trademark.
To avoid this risk, make sure you have the rights to use any material that you include on your website. If you’re not sure whether or not you have the right to use something, it’s best to err on the side of caution and not use it.
E Commerce Business Risk #2: Customer Disputes
Another risk associated with running an ecommerce store is customer disputes. This can happen if a customer is unhappy with a purchase they made from your store. To avoid this risk, make sure you have clear return and refund policies in place. You should also take steps to resolve any issues a customer has as quickly as possible.
E Commerce Business Risk #3: Warehousing and Logistics
A third risk associated with running an ecommerce store is warehousing and logistics. This can happen if your products are damaged in transit or if you have difficulty fulfilling orders in a timely manner.
To avoid this risk, make sure you partner with a reputable warehousing and logistics company. You should also have a business plan in place for how you will handle order fulfillment if there are delays.
E Commerce Business Risk #4: Taxation
E commerce business taxes are complex. Failure to understand and comply with these laws can result in significant penalties.
To avoid this risk, make sure you consult with a tax professional who is familiar with the tax laws that apply to ecommerce business. You should also keep good records of all your sales and expenses.
Now that you know the importance of having the right mindset, it’s time to start planning your ecommerce business. Check out our Ecommerce Business Plan to get started.
The Step-by-Step Ecommerce Business Guide with Low Budget
Here is the list of things you need to do to start an ecommerce business:
Product Research
Key Product Selection Criteria
When conducting product research, it’s important to keep your key selection criteria in mind. Here are a few factors to consider:
- Does your customer have a reason to buy it?
- Does it have high margins?
- Is there a specific niche of people you can target?
- If people have already bought this product?
- Can it be easily shipped?
There are many other factors to consider, but these are some of the most important. Once you have selected a few products to sell online that meet your criteria, it is time to find your product.
The Best Product Research Methods
There is no one-size-fits-all solution when it comes to product research. The best method for you will depend on your products, target market, and budget. Here are some of the best product research methods:
Google Trends
Google Trends is a free online tool that allows you to see how popular a given keyword is. You can use this tool to research potential products to sell. Simply enter a keyword related to your product and see how many people are searching for it.
By checking this and cross referencing it with competitor analysis you can get a good idea of whether a product is worth pursuing.
Alibaba Search Directory
We will be using Alibaba to find the niches, then use keywords everywhere extension or other keyword research tool to check for search volume.
Alibaba is a directory of manufacturers and wholesalers. You can use it to find potential suppliers for your product. Simply search for your product and view the results. You can then contact the supplier directly to inquire about wholesale prices.
To use Alibaba, simply create a free account and search for your product. You can then filter the results by price, minimum order quantity, and more.
Once you have found a few potential niches, it is time to start conducting product research. For each niche, you will want to find a few potential products to sell online. To do this, you can use keyword research tools like keywords everywhere.
Keywords Everywhere is a free extension for Google Chrome that allows you to see monthly search volume for any given keyword. Simply install the extension and enter your keyword. You will then see the monthly search volume for that keyword.
You can use this tool to find potential products to sell online. Simply enter a keyword related to your product and see how many people are searching for it. If there is high demand for the product, it may be worth pursuing.
AdSpy/ BigSpy Tools
AdSpy and BigSpy are tools that allow you to research the competition for a given product. You can use them to see what ads your competitors are running, as well as spy on their websites to see what products they are selling.
This information can help you determine whether there is demand for a given product and how competitive the market is.
To get started with AdSpy, you’ll first need to create an account. Once you’re logged in, you can start using the tool by selecting one of the following search filters:
Product Filter: This filter allows you to search for specific products that are being advertised on Facebook. You can either enter the product name or URL into the search bar, or select a category to browse products.
Sponsored Filter: This filter helps you find sponsored ads that are being run by specific Facebook Pages. You can either enter the Page’s name or URL into the search bar, or select a category to browse ads.
Ad Filter: This filter helps you find ads that are targeting a specific country, age group, gender, or interest. You can enter any of these criteria into the search bar, or select a category to browse ads.
Campaign Filter: This filter allows you to view ads from a specific Facebook campaign. You can either enter the campaign’s name or ID into the search bar, or select it from the list of campaigns shown.
Once you’ve selected a filter, AdSpy will show you all of the ads that match your criteria. You can then click on any ad to view its details.
Our main goal is to find products to sell online that are proven to sell and don’t have much competition.
To do this, you’ll want to look for products with high demand and low competition. You can use the keyword research tool to check the demand for a given product. If there is high demand and low competition, it may be worth pursuing.
Once you’ve found a few potential products, it’s time to set up your ecommerce store.
Set Up Your Online Store
Choose a Brand Name
The first step is to choose a business name and domain for your online store. The business name is not the most important, but if you want to have a long term brand, it is worth doing some brainstorming and spending some time on it.
Your brand name is what customers will see when they visit your online store, so it’s important to choose something that is catchy and easy to remember.
Here are some business name generators can help you come up with ideas:
Shopify Business Name Generator
Check Domain Name
Once you have some ideas for a name, the next step is to check if the domain name is available. You will want to have a .com domain name if possible, as it is the most recognizable and trusted by customers.
If your first choice is not available, don’t worry. There are many other domain extensions that you can use, such as .net or .io.
You can check the availability of a domain name using a tool like Namecheap or GoDaddy.
Logo Design
Your logo is another important aspect of your online business brand. It’s what customers will see when they visit your store, so it’s important to make a good impression.
There are many ways to design a logo, but if you’re not a designer, you can use a tool like Canva to create one for free. Canva has a wide selection of templates and tools that you can use to create a professional looking logo.
You can also hire a freelance designer on sites like Fiverr or Upwork to create a custom logo for you.
Building Your Online Store
If you’re starting an ecommerce business from scratch, one of the most important things you’ll need to do is build your online store. Here’s your launch essential ‘to do’ list:
Choose your store theme
Before you start building your online store, you need to choose a theme. Your theme will determine the look and feel of your store, so it’s important to choose something that reflects your brand. If you’re not sure where to start, take a look at some of the most popular ecommerce themes.
Build a winning product landing page
Let’s add some products to your new store! You only have one chance to make a first impression. When it comes to your website, that first impression is made on your landing page.
Your landing page is the gateway to your website; it’s what visitors see when they first arrive. And if you want to convert those visitors into customers, you need to make sure your landing page is up to the task.
Building a winning landing page isn’t easy, but it is possible. By following these simple tips, you can create a landing page that will help you close more sales and grow your online business.
1. Start with a bold, problem-focused headline.
Example: GetResponse
Your headline should be clear, concise, and focus on the problem that your product or service solves. It should be big and bold, so that visitors can’t help but notice it. And it should be immediately followed by a subheadline that elaborates on the problem and how you plan to solve it.
2. Use high-quality imagery and videos of your product.
Example: thefarmersdog
High-quality images and videos are essential for any landing page. People are visual creatures and will respond positively to visuals that support the claims made in the headline and subheadline. Images and videos also help to break up text and keep visitors engaged with your content.
3. Include your Features & Benefits.
Example: getsnooz
Your features and benefits are what set your product or service apart from your competitors. Be sure to list them prominently on your landing page and explain how they solve the problem that you outlined in your headline and subheadline.
4. Use social proof, customer reviews, and testimonials.
Example: Jasper
Social proof is a powerful tool that can help increase conversion rates on your landing page. Include customer reviews, testimonials, or other forms of social proof to show visitors that others have had success with your product or service.
5. Have a strong call to action (CTA).
Example: Jasper
Your call to action (CTA) is what you want visitors to do when they reach your landing page (e.g., buy now, sign up for a free trial, etc.). Make sure your CTA is strong, clear, and stands out from the rest of your content.
6. Pricing/Bundles
Example: koh
If you offer multiple pricing options or bundles, be sure to list them on your landing page so that visitors can make an informed decision about which option is right for them.
7. Optimize for mobile devices.
Example: saatva
More than half of all web traffic now comes from mobile devices , so it’s essential that your landing page is optimized for them. In today’s world, it’s essential that all websites are optimized for mobile devices. Make sure your landing page looks great on all devices by testing it on multiple platforms before launch.
8. Speed Test
We also need to focus on increasing our pages’ speed. In general, a good page speed is anything under 3 seconds. You can use the pingdom tool to check your pages’ speed and get suggestions on how to improve it.
Creating a winning landing page doesn’t have to be complicated or time-consuming. By including a few key elements, you can create a landing page that will convert visitors into leads or customers.
Have your standard pages ready
Now that you’ve built your store and added products, it’s time to start adding content. But before you do that, you need to make sure you have your standard pages ready. These pages include your home page, about page, contact page, and privacy policy.
Shipping & delivery information
It’s important to provide shipping and delivery information on your website. This way, customers will know how long it will take for their products to arrive.
Add payment methods
Next, you need to add payment methods to your store. This is how your customers will actually pay for your products, so it’s important to choose a payment method that’s easy to use and reliable. Some of the most popular payment methods for ecommerce stores include PayPal, Stripe, and Amazon Payments.
After you’ve set up your payment gateway, you’ll need to add it to your website. This can be done by adding a payment button to your checkout page.
Finally, be sure to test your payment gateway to make sure it’s working properly. This will help you avoid any potential problems down the road.
Test your store
Once you’ve added all your products and payment methods, it’s important to test your ecommerce store to make sure everything is working properly. This means going through the entire checkout process to make sure there are no glitches or errors. It’s also a good idea to have someone else test your store as well, just to be sure.
Launch your online store
Congratulations! You’ve now successfully created your very own ecommerce store. The last step is to launch your online store and start selling to customers.
Proven Ways to Drive Traffic to Your Online Store
If you’re looking to start an ecommerce business, one of the most important things you’ll need to do is drive traffic to your store. After all, without traffic, you won’t have any customers!
There are a variety of ways you can drive traffic to your ecommerce store. Below, we’ve outlined some of the most effective methods:
1. Invest in Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
One of the best ways to drive traffic to your ecommerce store is to invest in SEO. By optimizing your website for search engines, you’ll be able to rank higher in search results, making it more likely that potential customers will find your online store.
According to HubSpot’s State of Marketing Report, 69% of marketers invested in SEO. 44% of online shoppers begin by using a search engine. 70% of marketers see SEO as more effective than PPC. There are many reasons why ecommerce stores should invest in SEO. Here are just a few:
Search Engine Optimization Can Help You Get More Targeted Traffic
One of the main benefits of SEO is that it can help you get more targeted traffic. This means that people who come to your website are more likely to be interested in what you have to sell.
When you invest in SEO, you can use keyword research to find out what people are searching for and then create content that meets their needs. This will help you attract qualified leads who are ready to buy what you’re selling.
Search Engine Optimization Can Help You Build Trust and Credibility
Another benefit of SEO is that it can help you build trust and credibility with potential and existing customers. When your website appears high in SERPs, it sends a signal that your business is credible and trustworthy.
Additionally, when you create helpful and informative content, it shows that you are an expert in your field and that you care about providing valuable information to your customers. This can help increase customer confidence in your business, which can lead to sales.
Search Engine Optimization Can Help You Improve Your Overall Customer Experience
Finally, SEO can help improve your overall customer experience. When people can easily find the information they need on your website, they’re more likely to have a positive experience with your business.
If your website loads quickly and is easy to navigate, people will be less likely to leave before making a purchase. Improving your customer experience can lead to increased sales and repeat customers.
There are a number of things you can do to optimize your ecommerce store for search engine optimization, including:
Do keyword research
In order for your website to be relevant, you need to use keywords that are related to what people are searching for. The best way to find out what keywords people are using is through keyword research.
You can use tools like ahrefs and Ubersuggest to find keywords that are relevant to your product or service. Once you have a list of keywords, integrate them into your website’s title tags, meta descriptions, headers, and body copy.
Just be sure not to stuff your keywords; Google will penalize you for keyword stuffing, which is when you use a keyword too many times in an attempt to manipulate your ranking. A good rule of thumb is to use each keyword 2-3% of the time.
Publish high-quality content
Example: greatjonesgoods
In order for your website to be authoritative, you need to publish high-quality content on a regular basis. This means writing blog posts that are well researched, well written, and provide value to readers.
It also means ensuring that all of your product descriptions are accurate and up-to-date. If you publish low-quality content or inaccurate product descriptions, not only will you not rank highly in search results, but you will also lose customers who come across your ecommerce store because they won’t trust your brand.
Improve your website’s speed and mobile friendliness
Image: source
In order for your website to have a good user experience, it needs to be fast and mobile friendly. 47% of consumers expect a web page to load in 2 seconds or less ,and 40% of people will abandon a website if it takes more than 3 seconds to load .
Furthermore, 61% of consumers say they are unlikely to return to a mobile site they had trouble accessing and 40% say they would visit a competitor’s to find what they were looking for .
To improve your website’s speed ,you can compress images , minify code ,and use a Content Delivery Network (CDN). To improve its mobile friendliness ,you can use responsive design ,use large font sizes ,and keep buttons far apart . All of these factors will help improve both your SEO ranking and conversion rate.
Build backlinks
Backlinks are links from other websites to your website. They help improve your SEO ranking because they signal to Google that your website is popular and authoritative. The more backlinks you have, the higher you will rank in search results.
There are a few ways to get backlinks, such as by guest posting on other blogs, writing product reviews, or listing your business in online directories. The key is to get high-quality backlinks from websites that are relevant to your industry.
A good way to check the quality of a website is to look at its Domain Authority (DA). You can use a tool like MozBarto see the DA of a website. The higher the DA, the better.
Monitor your progress
It’s important to track your progress to see if your SEO efforts are paying off. You can use Google Analytics to track things like how much traffic you’re getting from organic search and what keywords people are using to find your website.
You can also use Google Search Console to see how your website is performing in search results. This tool will show you things like the click-through rate (CTR) and position of your website for certain keywords.
Overall, if you want to stay ahead of the competition and get more traffic, brand awareness, and sales from online customers, SEO for ecommerce websites is the way to go. You don’t have to spend as much money on paid advertising channels like Google Ads or Facebook ads, making SEO a cost-effective solution.
But SEO is a long-term marketing strategy ,and it takes time and effort to see results. If you’re patient and consistent with your SEO efforts, though, you will eventually see an increase in traffic and sales from organic search .
2. Use Paid Advertising
Paid advertising is another great way to drive traffic to your ecommerce store. Different from SEO, paid advertising is a short-term solution that will help you quickly get in front of your target audience.
There are a few different types of paid advertising you can use for your ecommerce business , such as Google Ads, Facebook ads, and TikTok ads.
Facebook ads
Facebook ads is one of the most popular and effective ways to advertise online. There are a number of reasons why you might want to use Facebook ads for your Ecommerce business.
For one, Facebook ads are very effective in terms of reach. Meta claims their total advertising audience is 2.11 billion people. And that’s just one Ecommerce platform!
Facebook ads reach 63.7% of all Americans over age 13, and 34.1% of the global population.
Another reason to use Facebook ads is because they’re very targeted. You can target people by interests, demographics, and even behaviors.
This means that you can show your ad to people who are most likely to be interested in what you’re selling.
However, the biggest downside of Facebook Ads is that they can be very expensive. The cost of Facebook ads varies depending on a number of factors, but it’s not uncommon for businesses to spend hundreds or even thousands of dollars on Facebook advertising each month.
If you’re thinking about using Facebook ads for your Ecommerce business, there are a few things you need to keep in mind. First, you need to have a clear idea of your goals.
Are you looking to increase brand awareness? Drive traffic to your website? Generate leads? Once you know your goals, you can create ads that are specifically designed to achieve them.
Second, you need to create an ad copy that is compelling and eye-catching. Your ad should be able to grab attention and make people want to learn more about your product or service.
Finally, you need to track your results. Facebook provides detailed analytics that allow you to see how your ads are performing. Make sure to track your metrics so that you can determine whether or not your Facebook ads are successful.
How to advertise on Meta Business Suite?
1. Set up your Meta Business Suite.
To create your Meta Business Suite account, you’ll need to provide your business name, email address, and create a password. Once you’ve registered for an account, you can start creating your first Facebook ad.
2. Install the Meta pixel on your Ecommerce website.
The Facebook pixel is a code that you place on your Ecommerce website. It allows you to track conversions, optimize ads, build audiences for remarketing, and more.
3. Create Facebook audiences.
You can create several types of audiences on Facebook, including custom audiences, lookalike audiences, and saved audiences.
4. Create a Facebook ads campaign.
When creating your campaign, you’ll need to choose your objective, target audience, ad format, and budget.
5. Test, measure, and optimize your Facebook ads.
After your ad campaign has been running for a while, it’s important to measure its performance and make changes accordingly.
Google Ads
Compared to Facebook and Instagram ads, Google Ads is still the most popular form of online advertising. It has been around for over 15 years and continues to be the most effective way to reach customers online.
Google Ads allows you to target customers based on their search terms, which means you can reach them when they are actively looking for products or services like yours.
There are a few things you need to know before you start using Google Ads for your ecommerce business. First, you need to have a clear understanding of your target market and what keywords they are likely to use when searching for products or services like yours.
Second, you need to create compelling ad copy that will grab their attention and persuade them to click through to your website. Finally, you need to set a budget for your Google Ads campaign and track your results so you can optimize your campaigns for maximum ROI.
If you’re ready to start using Google Ads for your ecommerce business, then follow the steps below.
1. Research your target market and choose the right keywords.
Before you start creating your Google Ads campaign, you need to do some research into your target market. What are their demographics? What are their interests? What keywords are they likely to use when searching for products or services like yours? Once you have a good understanding of your target market, you can start choosing the right keywords for your campaign.
Try to choose a mix of broad and narrow keywords that are relevant to your products or services. Broad keywords will help you reach a wider audience, while narrow keywords will help you target customers who are more likely to convert. You can use Google’s Keyword Planner tool to help you find the right keywords for your campaign.
2. Create compelling ad copy.
Once you’ve chosen your keywords, it’s time to start creating your ad copy. Your ad copy is what will persuade customers to click through to your website, so it needs to be compelling and persuasive.
Try to focus on the benefits of your products or services, and make sure your ad copy is clear and concise. You can also use call-to-action phrases like “Buy now” or “Shop today” to encourage customers to click through to your website.
3. Set a budget for your campaign.
When you’re setting up your Google Ads campaign, you’ll need to set a budget for how much you’re willing to spend on your ads. You can set a daily budget or a total budget for your campaign, and you can also choose how much you’re willing to spend per click. It’s important to set a realistic budget for your campaign so you don’t overspend and end up with a negative ROI.
4. Track your results.
Finally, you need to track your results so you can optimize your campaign for maximum ROI. Google Analytics is a great tool for tracking your ad campaigns, and it can help you understand which keywords are performing well and which ones aren’t.
You can also use Google Analytics to track your conversion rate so you can see how many people are actually completing purchases on your website.
By following these steps, you can start using Google Ads to drive traffic and sales to your ecommerce business. Just remember to do your research, create compelling ad copy, and track your results so you can continue to optimize your campaigns for the best ROI.
TikTok Ads
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TikTok is a social media platform that is growing in popularity. It offers a surprisingly flexible ad platform with many different ways to create or source content that works for your brand. Most people think of Tik Tok as primarily used by teens but their fastest growing demographic is over 30 years old.
In a 2022 social trends survey, 24% of marketers considered it a viable option for reaching their marketing goals, compared to only 3% the previous year. That’s a 700% increase in less than 24 months!
This demonstrates that TikTok is an important platform to consider for marketing campaigns. It has a large user base, and its users are engaged and active.
However, advertisers have not caught up to this change yet which presents an opportunity for those who do start running ads now while there’s less competition around. It’s now a serious competitor with Facebook, Instagram, Google, and other social platforms that offer paid advertising.
If you’re looking for a way to start advertising on TikTok, here are some tips:
1. Invest in ad creatives that work, by testing what works best for your brand. Ad creatives are ads that are specifically designed to be creative and eye-catching.
2. Define your target demographics by analyzing the characteristics of populations and subsets of populations that are most likely to buy your products or services.
3. Research popular trends and hashtags within TikTok to make sure your ads are relevant and hashtag-friendly.
4. Work with creators in your niche who are respected and understand what your brand has to offer, in order to produce high-quality content.
5. Manage your campaign budgets wisely by allocating funds based on results from previous ad campaigns.
6. Use TikTok’s analytics tools to track your progress and measure results, so you can optimize your campaigns for maximum effectiveness.
7. Be prepared to commit long-term to your TikTok marketing, as it will take time to build up a following and generate results.
TikTok offers a unique opportunity for businesses to reach a large and engaged audience. By investing in ad creatives, defining your target market, setting campaign objectives, and working with niche creators, you can make the most of this powerful platform.
Paid advertising is a great way to quickly drive traffic to your online store. Facebook, Google, and TikTok all offer different paid advertising options that can be customized to fit your budget and goals.
When creating a paid advertising campaign, it’s important to do your research, set a realistic budget, create compelling ad copy, and track your results so you can optimize your campaigns for maximum ROI.
3. Influencer Marketing
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Influencer marketing is one of the most effective ways to drive sales, with 80% of marketers finding that it works. This means there’s no shortage in businesses who want influencers on their side! It only makes sense then for 75% out survey respondents by Influencer Marketing Hub have dedicated themselves entirely into this type of advertising strategy–and why not? They’re proven winners time after again.
Instagram is currently the most popular influencer marketing platform. 67% of marketers say they use Instagram for influencer marketing, making it the clear leader in this field.
This is likely due to the fact that Instagram is highly visual, and therefore ideal for promoting products and services. In addition, users of Instagram are highly engaged, meaning that they are more likely to interact with influencers and see results from their campaigns.
However, collaborating with influencers is a time-consuming process that can be difficult to scale. To ensure best results, use this five step guide for staying on track:
Define Your Goals
Before you even start reaching out to potential influencers, you need to take a step back and define your goals. What do you hope to achieve with your influencer marketing campaign? Do you want to increase brand awareness? Drive traffic to your website? Boost sales? Once you know what you want to accomplish, you can start planning your strategy accordingly.
Do Your Research
Not all influencers are created equal. Some have larger followings than others, and some have more engaged audiences. It’s important that you do your research to find influencers who are a good fit for your brand and who have an audience that is interested in what you have to offer. A little bit of research up front can go a long way in helping you achieve your goals.
Find the Right Influencers
Now it’s time to start looking for potential influencers to partner with. When searching for influencers, look for those who align with your brand values and who have a sizable following within your target demographic. It’s also important to make sure that the influencer has a good reputation—you don’t want to partner with someone who is known for being shady or unreliable.
Make Your Pitch
Once you’ve found a few potential partners, it’s time to reach out and make your pitch. Keep your pitch short, sweet, and to the point—no one wants to read a novel about why they should promote your product. Also, be sure to include information about what’s in it for them; most influencers will only agree to promote a product or brand if they’re getting something out of it (e.g., free products, commissions on sales, etc.
Track Your Results
Finally, once your campaign is up and running, it’s important that you track your results so that you can see what’s working and what isn’t. Pay attention to metrics like website traffic, social media engagement, and sales numbers so that you can adjust your strategy as needed.
Influencer marketing can be an excellent way to promote your brand or product—but only if it’s done correctly. By taking the time to define your goals, research your target audience, find the right influencers, make a great pitch, and track your results, you can set yourself up for success.
4. Content Marketing
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Content marketing is another great way to drive traffic to your ecommerce store. By creating compelling, informative content, you’ll be able to attract potential customers to your website and convince them to buy from you.
There are a number of different types of content you can create, including blog posts, infographics, videos, and ebooks. When creating content, be sure to focus on topics that are relevant to your target audience and that will help you achieve your business goals.
5. Leverage Social Media
Social media is a great way to connect with potential customers and drive traffic to your own ecommerce store. When using social media, be sure to post interesting, engaging content that will encourage your followers to click through to your website.
6. Email Marketing Campaign
Source: Really Good Emails
An email marketing campaign is another great way to connect with potential customers and drive traffic to your ecommerce store. When designing your email marketing campaign, be sure to focus on creating high-quality, engaging emails that will encourage your subscribers to click through to your website.
In addition to driving traffic, email marketing can also be used to generate sales and encourage loyalty among your customer base.
7. Use Affiliate Marketing
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Affiliate marketing is a great way to get other websites to promote your ecommerce store. With affiliate marketing, you pay affiliates a commission for each sale they generate. This can be a great way to get more traffic to your online store without having to invest in paid advertising.
To find affiliates, you can reach out to bloggers and other website owners in your industry and ask if they’re interested in promoting your online store. You can also join affiliate networks, which connect you with a number of potential affiliates.
8. Giveaways and Contests
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People love free stuff, which is why giveaways and contests can be an effective way to drive traffic to your ecommerce store. When running a giveaway or contest, be sure to promote it across your social media channels and email list to reach the widest audience possible.
9. Offer Deals and Discounts
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People are always looking for a great deal, so offering deals and discounts on your products can be a great way to drive traffic to your store. When running a sale or promotion, be sure to promote it across your social media channels and email list to reach the widest audience possible.
Following these tips will help you get started on the path to success with your ecommerce business. Remember, it takes time and effort to build a successful online business, but it is possible to achieve your goals if you’re willing to put in the work.
Automate Your Ecommerce Business
Ecommerce automation is key to running a successful online store. It can save you time and money by streamlining your operations and keeping your customer data organized. We’ll discuss some of the ways you can use automation to improve your ecommerce business.
Customer Service
Excellent customer service is the key to success for any ecommerce business. It can be the difference between a one-time buyer and a lifelong customer. But as your business grows, it becomes increasingly difficult to provide the same level of customer service manually. That’s where automation comes in.
By automating customer service tasks, you can improve efficiency and reduce the amount of time you spend on this task. There are a number of ways to automate customer service, including using an ecommerce chatbot or hiring an ecommerce virtual assistant.
Using an ecommerce chatbot
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Ecommerce Chatbots are artificially intelligent systems that can mimic human conversation. They understand the customer’s needs and help them find the right product or service.
Chatbots are an excellent way to automate customer service, 67% of global consumers had an interaction with a chatbot over the last 12 months.
Conversational AI can have a range of benefits for your eCommerce store, from providing customer support to increasing sales. Here are just a few of the ways that chatbots can help your business:
- Chatbots are faster than customer service agents at replying to queries.
- More customer interactions can be handled by chatbots, leading to improved customer satisfaction.
- You can integrate chatbots with messaging apps and they come with conversation templates for different industries.
- Stores using ecommerce chatbot in the right way, are increasing annual revenue by 7 to 25%.
Ecommerce chatbots are one of the most effective ways to automate customer service. However, the biggest challenge is that chatbots require constant maintenance and are not personalized.
If you’re not able to commit the time and resources to maintaining a chatbot, there are other ways to automate customer service, such as hiring an ecommerce virtual assistant.
Hiring an ecommerce virtual assistant
Hiring an ecommerce virtual assistant is a great way to automate customer service without the hassle of maintaining a chatbot.
A virtual assistant can help with a wide range of tasks, including customer support, product research, order processing, and much more. This frees up your time so that you can focus on other aspects of your business.
There are a number of companies that offer ecommerce virtual assistant services, such as Gorgias or Upwork. Often for a fixed hourly rate or a monthly retainer.
Prices for virtual assistants can vary from $5 to more than $50 per hour, depending on the skill set required and the experience of the virtual assistant.
In order to find the right virtual assistant for your business, you’ll need to write a job description that includes the tasks you need help with, the skill set required, and your budget.
Use this sample virtual assistant job description as a guide for creating your own customer service.
Virtual assistant job description [template]
JOB OVERVIEW
We run an apparel business that manages 100+ orders and 30+ customer support requests per week. Our primary markets are in the U.S.
Duties and Responsibilities
1. Respond to customer email inquiries, such as questions about products, shipping, returns, etc.
2. Process customer orders and handle customer service issues such as refunds and replacements.
3. Research new products and create product descriptions.
4. Update the website with new products and blog content.
5. Monitor social media channels for customer queries and complaints.
6. Handle disputes via credit card or PayPal.
Qualifications and Competencies
To meet the minimum qualifications for this position, an individual must have the following skills and abilities:
1. Must have former call center, customer service or help desk experience.
2. Strong customer service focus.
3. Strong verbal and written skills in English
4. Strong organizational skills and attention to detail.
5. Ability to work independently and take initiative.
Please answer this question when applying so I know you read this: 6+4=? I am looking for someone serious that can work long term. I do not want to waste your time or mine.
If you are interested in this position, please send your resume and a cover letter to info@company.com. Only qualified candidates will be contacted for an interview.
Overall, If you’re considering hiring an ecommerce virtual assistant, be sure to carefully review the job description and qualifications to ensure they are a good fit for your ecommerce business. Also consider the hourly rate or monthly retainer to find an affordable option that meets your needs.
Marketing Automation
Ecommerce marketing automation is the process of using software to automate marketing tasks and workflows. This can include everything from email marketing and social media campaigns to targeted ads and retargeting.
By automating these tasks, you can free up time for other important tasks, like developing new products or working on strategic initiatives.
Ecommerce marketing automation is important because it allows you to scale your marketing efforts without hiring more staff.
It also allows you to track results and ROI so that you can see what’s working and what’s not. 77% of marketers generate more leads while 56% see higher conversion rates with marketing automation.
Now that we’ve answered the question “what is eCommerce marketing automation?”, let’s take a look at some proven strategies for using it in your ecommerce business.
Use email marketing automation
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Email marketing is one of the most effective ways to reach your customers and promote your products or services. And with email marketing automation, you can easily send targeted, personalized emails to your entire list without having to write each email manually.
All you need is an email service provider (ESP) like MailChimp or Constant Contact, and a few hours to set up your automated campaign.
Use social media automation
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Social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram are great places to connect with your customers and promote your products or services. And with social media automation tools like Hootsuite or Buffer, you can easily schedule and publish content across all of your social media channels without having to do it manually.
All you need is a social media management platform and a few hours to set up your automated campaign.
Use abandoned cart reminders
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Abandoned cart reminders are emails that are sent to customers who have added items to their shopping cart but have not completed the purchase. These reminder emails can be highly effective in getting customers to complete their purchase, and they can be easily automated with most ESPs.
Marketing automation can help take your ecommerce business to the next level by optimizing your marketing efforts and freeing up time to focus on other aspects of your business. If you’re not sure where to start, try implementing some of the strategies we’ve listed above.
Summary
Now that we’ve gone over the basics of what you need to do in order to start a profitable online store from scratch, it’s time for you to take action.
If you follow the steps in this guide and put in the hard work, you can be well on your way to starting a successful ecommerce business. Are you ready to get started?
Free Download Now: The Essential Ecommerce Launch Checklist
How to Start an Ecommerce Business FAQs
Can I start my own eCommerce business?
Yes, you can! Ecommerce is a great way to start your own ecommerce business with little overhead cost. All you need is a domain name, hosting, and a platform to build your store on. You can also start an ecommerce business without a website by using a marketplace like eBay or Amazon.
How much money do I need to start an ecommerce business?
The amount of money you need to start an online business varies depending on the platform you use and the features you need. Generally, you can expect to spend around $100-$200 per month to get started.
What is the best eCommerce platform for small businesses?
The best ecommerce platform for small online business is Shopify. It’s easy to use, has a low monthly cost, and offers a wide range of features to help you build and grow your online business.
Is e commerce business still profitable 2022?
Yes, ecommerce business will still be profitable in 2022. Ecommerce businesses have continued to grow in popularity and profitability over the past few years, and this trend is expected to continue. If you’re thinking about starting an ecommerce business, now is a great time to do it.
Reading More on OnlineEarningInsider.com : If you want to learn more about ‘Insider,’ check out more of my posts of the Best Ecommerce Platforms To Start Your Online Business and Best Online Business Ideas For Beginners .
