Did you know there are over 21 million ecommerce businesses in the United States?
Two decades or so ago, you’d be hard-pressed to find an ecommerce company other than Amazon. Today, ecommerce is not only a way of doing business. It’s also a way of life.
If you’re looking to go into business, you’ve made a smart decision to start an ecommerce business. But do you know what it takes to start an ecommerce store that will succeed? Just because almost everyone is shopping online doesn’t mean success is guaranteed.
In this article, we’re sharing a couple of things to keep in mind when starting an ecommerce enterprise. Let’s get into it.
Find the Right Ecommerce Niche
When you think of Amazon, which is the poster child for ecommerce business success, you think of a place where you can buy anything and everything. While the company has found wild success in selling everything, their model is the exception, not the rule.
Going niche is the best way to start an ecommerce shop that can be successful. You see, the ecommerce market is now ultra-competitive. Amazon has a large market share, leaving the rest to millions of niche businesses.
The big question is: how do you find the best ecommerce niche? There’s a lot that goes into choosing a niche, but you want to focus on a niche that’s thriving and doesn’t have lots of existing competition.
You also want to consider your passion. It’s much easier to sell a product or service you’re passionate about.
Choose the Right Ecommerce Platform
An ecommerce platform can make or break your business.
When you think of an ecommerce business, you see a website with product listings. You rarely think about the systems that power that website.
There are several ecommerce platforms that you can build into your website. These platforms aren’t created equal. As such, you have to research and find the one that will best suit your needs.
Shopify is the most widely used ecommerce platform, and for good reason. It’s easy cost-effective, easy to use, and has a variety of add-ons that can improve your store. Others include WooCommerce, Squarespace, and Magento. A WooCommerce development company can create custom eCommerce solutions to bring out the best in your online store. If you’re opting for Shopify, be sure to check out Shop and Code for helpful resources.
It’s also possible to build a custom ecommerce website, but it requires expertise and can cost you a lot more money.
Master Ecommerce Marketing
As you already know, the ecommerce marketplace is ultra-competitive. Your ecommerce store is one of the thousands of stores in your niche. How are your target customers going to find you?
Ecommerce marketing is the answer.
Close to 90 percent of shoppers being their product search on a search engine. This means your store needs to be visible on search engine result pages. With proper ecommerce marketing, you’ll be able to master search engine optimization.
There are other marketing strategies you need to deploy, including social media and PPC advertising, and influence marketing.
Build a Successful Ecommerce Business
Building a successful ecommerce business isn’t a walk in the park. There are important steps you need to get right, especially during the startup stage. Implement the tips fleshed out in this article and you’ll move closer to success.
Explore our blog for more ecommerce business advice.
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