The transition to online sales can be transformative for a business that had no digital presence prior to the epidemic. Setting up an eCommerce site, on the other hand, is difficult and, at times, daunting.
Whatever you’ve heard about establishing an internet company is most likely correct. It’s a competitive environment that tests even the most savvy entrepreneurs, but the general opinion is that you start learning how to sell online right away.
But where do you begin?
There are easy ways to learn how to sell on the internet, and they all begin with the answers to three fundamental questions: why, what, and how?
Here’s a step-by-step approach to learning how to sell online. It doesn’t get much easier than this.
Establish your ecommerce strategy
To sell effectively online, you must first determine your plan and then commit to it. This covers your sales channels: do you solely sell online (through your website) or do you also have a physical store? You’ll also need to decide on the product line you’ll carry. Do you specialise on one thing or do you sell a variety of products?
When you learn how to sell goods online, you may work from anywhere in the globe, and you’ll most likely wind up working weekends, evenings, and holidays. The only difference is that you’ll do it with a grin.
Work from the beach or your grandma’s garden — wherever you go, you’re just a tap (and a Wi-Fi connection) away from accessing your business. Everything you do must propel you towards success.
Establish the value
What is the customer’s requirement for your product? You must know the answer to that question and be able to express it to your consumer in a concise manner. It makes no difference how excellent your product is if you don’t express the essential need it will satisfy, whether it’s fashion, function, comfort, enjoyment, or all four.
Creating a compelling story around the product or brand is typically the first step in establishing that demand. Words, pictures, or both can be used to tell the tale. This is an emotional catch that the consumer must hear in order to continue listening to your proposal.
Choose the right ecommerce software
There are several website alternatives available; it is critical to select the best one for your company. Make sure you understand how you want to receive payments online. Ecommerce platforms are the foundation of any online retail business, allowing the front-end and back-end of an online store to function in harmony. An eCommerce platform should provide you with all of the tools you need to launch, expand, and manage your online business. Spend time exploring your alternatives and determining which one is best for you and your company.
Most businesses are best off starting with a simple off-the-shelf online shop template (for example, BigCommerce, Shopify or Squarespace). These powerful ecommerce systems will do everything you need quickly and easily, so you can focus on your marketing.
Reduce Friction
The most important element in deciding if you are successful in selling your goods online is minimising consumer friction. Make every effort to provide your customers with the best possible interaction, starting with the information they require to place an order, such as a comprehensive product description with the appropriate positioning, pictures, and video, to customer testimonials and reviews, to details on taxes, shipping, and delivery. If you clearly describe how your solution solves your customer’s pain points and make it simple for them to make a purchase, you’ll be 90% of the way to effectively selling online.
Encourage both the first online purchase and the repeat purchase
To be successful, you want customers to go from not knowing anything about you to:
- viewing your ecommerce website
- enquiring
- shopping for the first time
- purchasing again and again
Many ecommerce businesses just focus on acquiring the first purchase and ignore gaining the second order, which is crazy because it is easier.
You’ll discover that different marketing strategies are best suited to each stage of this trip. Investigate, test, and analyse your options before making any changes to your plans.