Launching an ecommerce site for your business doesn't have to be overwhelming with this helpful guide. In fact, an ecommerce site is the perfect way to get additional streams of revenue for your business and to reach a much wider range of customers. From discovering the best opportunities for your business with the right analytics tools to considering brand design, we've got you covered with all the basics of taking your brick-and-mortar store online.

Setting Up Your Ecommerce Store

Now that you have decided to take your store digital, you need to choose and purchase a domain name that matches the identity of your store. There are plenty of domain platforms to choose from that will even help you through the legal process of purchasing a domain. Take the time to find the perfect domain name for your store. You'll want something that is short and has keywords related to your business. This will help your site show up more easily on search engines.

Once you've selected a catchy domain name that describes your business, you're ready to set up your ecommerce store. Today, there are countless tools available online that make setting up ecommerce shops easier than ever! For only a monthly fee, these websites will help guide you through the process of building a stunning online store.

You will need a few basic things to get you started with your ecommerce website:

• Products that you're selling with high quality images and attention-grabbing descriptions.
• Contact information for any customer questions or concerns.
• The ability to process a variety of different payment types.
• An established policy for returns and shipping.

Choose an ecommerce platform to help you navigate the rest of the process. Your specific website may need different features that are tailored to suit your needs. You'll want an all-in-one system that is easy to you to take all of the hard part out of running an ecommerce site.

Finding The Best Products to Sell Online

The top-selling products at your brick-and-mortar store may not fare as well online, so it's important to consider the items that you choose to sell on your site. A great way to start is to begin by introducing the best sellers in your store first before branching out to selling other products.

Shipping cost is another factor that must be considered. Products that are large in size or that are extremely fragile will take much longer to ship and may potentially be very costly. Other products may just look better in person than they do on a website. Choose your online products wisely and always remember to be considerate of these factors to guide your decision.

Signed, Sealed, Delivered: Shipping Basics

It's crucial that you host your ecommerce site with an all-in-one platform that gives you the ability to access efficient shipping. You will need to find a shipping carrier that suits your needs and your budget constraints. Compare prices and make sure you find the best solution for the needs of your store. For example, you may want to choose a carrier that specializes in fragile materials if the majority of your items for sale are easily breakable.

If you intend on preparing packages for shipment yourself, create a shipping station that is easy to use and well-planned. Make sure all of the items you need are well organized so that you can be as efficient as possible. Whether it be tape or scissors, you'll want all of your tools for packaging nearby so you won't have to waste time searching for them.

Marketing Your New Ecommerce Website

Now that you have crafted a beautiful ecommerce store and decided how you are going to ship your items, it's time to market your new online store! In a brick-and-mortar location, the more people that walk through your doors, the more you sell. The same thought process applies online. The more people that click on your ecommerce store, the more items you will sell. With social media – and so many other tools at your disposal – marketing an ecommerce store has never been easier.

These helpful tips will get you started:

1) Know the power of social media.

Whether it be through Twitter, Facebook or another social media platform, building your brand's presence online will help you attract a large audience to your store. Take the time to invest in marketing on these platforms and make the most out of the items you post to encourage more customers to visit your ecommerce site.

2) Learn SEO or find unique content creators to help you.

Search engine optimization (SEO) is your new best friend. Drive more traffic to your website by learning how to create pages that show up higher on search engines. This SEO checklist will help get you started.

3) Remember email marketing.

Collect a mailing list of subscribers to keep customers updated on new products that are available online and remind them to visit your store. Remember that it is always easier – and less costly – to keep customers than it is to gain new ones. Invest time in creating a following that is eager to visit your website again and again.

The Takeaway

Taking your brick-and-mortar store online is a great way to introduce new customers to your product and reach a larger audience. Entering the world of ecommerce is a great way to increase revenue and reach a wider market than ever before.

We'd love to hear your thoughts about launching an ecommerce store! Share your comments with us below.