4 Simple Ideas to Start Your Business Online
Updated on: Nov 23rd, 2023
|
6 min read
1. Choose a suitable online platform for selling your products
These days, plenty of shopping websites are readily available on the internet, which is built specifically to help you sell your products. However, since there are so many options, making the mistake of selling your goods on a wrong platform is quite possible. That’s why it’s important to identify a suitable online platform to sell your products before you start your e-commerce journey. If you think your customers can reach out to your products with ease via an online shopping portal, consider adding your products on the most popular e-commerce websites. However, if you think your customers hang out more on social media handles such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, etc. consider posting photos of your products using these social media channels. You will need to do your bit of research in understanding your customers and which is the best online marketplace suitable for you to sell your products.2. Focus on getting high-quality photos of your products
To sell your products online, you will have to name each of your products along with a product image. In case a product image isn’t feasible for all kinds of products you intend to sell, at least a brief description of the product will be needed. If you intend to sell clothes online, you will need to explain what fabric your garments are made of or describe an occasion where it can be worn. If it is a cooking utensil, you will need to tell your customer what it can do, just as you say if the customer turned up at your store and asked, “What is this?”. But most importantly, in order to catch the attention of your online customers, you will need to capture high-quality images of the products you intend to sell. This is because there is a lot of competition when you sell online, as every other vendor is trying to sell similar products. Identify a suitable place to take pictures of your products. Pay attention to details such as lighting and background. In case you are unable to get quality photos of your product, find someone who could write short and catchy descriptions for your products.3. Your customers must know where to find you
When you have your online shopping space up and running, you will need to communicate this to your customers. Your customers need to know that you are still open for business. Here are a few ways you can get the word out:- Via Google search: Several businesses have Google listings, which makes it easy for customers to seek directions, leave a review, or post their ratings. Creating a “Google My Business” listing is not only free, but you can also monitor the visitors who view the content. Make sure your “Google My Business” listing has your e-commerce site included as well.
- Via your physical store: Due to the lockdown, you might have had to close your store temporarily. A few of your regular customers would want to know where they can find you; you can make it easy for them. You can create and post a QR code on the door of your store, directing customers to your website. Making a QR code is easy. Copy your website URL into a free QR code generator and take a screenshot of the result. QR codes are also great for sending customers to coupons or your social media profile.
- Social media: Talk about your new site on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram. Change your Instagram bio to include a link to your website. Then post a photo showing off your new retail space. Encourage followers to share your new site in their own stories or posts for a percentage off their first order. Edit your bio on Instagram to include a link to your shopping website. Upload a picture of your new retail room instead. Encourage fans to share their own stories or articles via your new site to get a discount on their first purchase.
- Advertisement: Make sure you advertise about your business via multiple channels:
- Online in search ads
- Via email/text message/Whatsapp
- Online media channels
4. A To-Do List You Need to Focus on
- Do well-detailed research on which online marketplace will be suitable for your products.
- Create a personalised page or website for your online business. Whenever possible, make sure to keep your branding activities consistent between both your physical store as well as your online stores.
- Make sure your product photos are of high quality. Keep a tab on the following:
- Bright lighting
- Staging
- Neutral backdrops
- Ensure to proofread your product descriptions before they are posted online.
- Keep a tab on the 5 W’s when you write product descriptions:
- What it is
- Who will love it
- Where you can use it
- Why you need it
- When it will come in handy
Quick Summary
COVID-19 outbreak affecting businesses worldwide. Importance of diversifying income streams. Tips for starting e-commerce: Choose suitable online platform, focus on high-quality photos, inform customers where to find you. Promote on Google, physical store, social media. Advertise across multiple channels. Create a to-do list: Research online marketplaces, create a webpage, maintain consistent branding, use quality photos, proofread descriptions.
Was this summary helpful?
Clear offers taxation & financial solutions to individuals, businesses, organizations & chartered accountants in India. Clear serves 1.5+ Million happy customers, 20000+ CAs & tax experts & 10000+ businesses across India.
Efiling Income Tax Returns(ITR) is made easy with Clear platform. Just upload your form 16, claim your deductions and get your acknowledgment number online. You can efile income tax return on your income from salary, house property, capital gains, business & profession and income from other sources. Further you can also file TDS returns, generate Form-16, use our Tax Calculator software, claim HRA, check refund status and generate rent receipts for Income Tax Filing.
CAs, experts and businesses can get GST ready with Clear GST software & certification course. Our GST Software helps CAs, tax experts & business to manage returns & invoices in an easy manner. Our Goods & Services Tax course includes tutorial videos, guides and expert assistance to help you in mastering Goods and Services Tax. Clear can also help you in getting your business registered for Goods & Services Tax Law.
Save taxes with Clear by investing in tax saving mutual funds (ELSS) online. Our experts suggest the best funds and you can get high returns by investing directly or through SIP. Download Black by ClearTax App to file returns from your mobile phone.
Cleartax is a product by Defmacro Software Pvt. Ltd.
Company PolicyTerms of use
ISO 27001
Data Center
SSL Certified Site
128-bit encryption