The crisis of the COVID-19 has been observed more on local businesses as customers started preferring contactless shopping. Does it mean local businesses would fly off like there were none?
Within a week, 10% of retail stores in my area approached us for getting their e-commerce website online. 10% does sound like a bit less as in a postal area, but just think aren’t those retail stores trying to adapt the change?
You must have been thinking of getting your business online and also seeking answers for your queries regarding the steps to start an e-commerce website.
Well, the wait is over!
Here are some essential baby steps to get your store online by taking an example of a coffee machine manufacturing company:
Niche Research
The first step and the biggest investment with some ROI are to research for a proper business model. Do not haste in this process.
Amazon founder, Jeff Bezos started selling books which were a smart move in the 90s. Who thought that a book selling e-commerce website would turn up being the most preferred website for buying products? Jeff Bezos!
For example, let’s say there is a company that manufactures coffee machines and has an e-commerce website where they sell it for an affordable price. But wait, where is the heart; the coffee beans? Coffee machines need coffee beans or sachets, which would craft an incredible espresso for the night owls like me.
Selling coffee machines and coffee beans together? Sounds like a big sack of money!
Similarly, make sure to create a clear picture of what you will be selling to your customers, whether it would be a single product or a set of products.
Target Market
So you are now all set with a business model. The next step is to know your target customers very well.
A set of big questions might be hitting you hard, and the answers for those will let you figure out your target market.
- Who are you?
- Who is your ideal consumer?
- Whether to sell coffee machines to businesses or individual consumers?
- Will businesses consume it more than an individual customer or vice-versa?
- Or to be into both B2B and B2C?
After figuring out the answers, its time to buckle up and get online. Finalize your business plan to generate revenue and create your online store.
Get, set, and go!
And now you have done the research part and found your target market; the last step is to get your store online and start attracting customers.
All you need to do is register your brand for a domain name, then get a hosting plan and start building a website.