According to Statista, sales in online stores are expected to reach 22% of global retail sales by 2023, compared to 14.1% in 2019. It means there’s never been a better time to consider setting up an e-commerce business.
Selling goods and services over the Internet has skyrocketed over the past decade due to technological advances, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and people spending more and more time on their phones.
Want to take advantage of that and embark on your e-commerce adventure? Wondering how to get started? Here are three routes down which you could go.
Amazon Shop
Amazon has become an undeniable presence in the online shopping space over the last decade. And if you have a product, you can design and make, you could soon turn your skills and knowledge into a regular flow of income.
By getting yourself set up on the Amazon store, you can reach a huge audience almost instantly, teeing you up for e-commerce success.
Of course, other elements influence your success once you get onto the platform but having the exposure is a strong start as Amazon is a household name that, for many, is the first port of call when making a purchase online.
You can choose from a range of plans that are catered towards your business goals and expectations – these can be updated over time, depending on how successful your venture becomes. Bear in mind, though, that Amazon doesn’t give you blanket protection, and business insurance will be an important thing to consider.
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Set Up Your Website
Setting up your website gives you more flexibility when shaping your e-commerce business. If you create a solid brand identity, optimize it correctly, and nail your digital marketing strategy, you can strengthen your place in the market, so a smooth-running and professional-looking website will see you off to a winner.
You’ll need to take a few steps to get things up and running, such as purchasing a domain name, picking a theme, and setting up your payment and shipping settings – all of this can be done with the help of a developer, which can be pricey but may be a worthwhile investment.
If you are confident in your own ability and want to save as much as possible, then doing it yourself would be ideal. You will have the freedom and creativity to build your own blog or online store the way you see fit and offer your visitors the experience you’d like to give them through your posts or products/services.
There are many guides online that can show you step-by-step examples of how to optimize your website and bring in more visitors. So, the main thing you’ll have to worry about is creating plenty of good quality blog posts to keep your readers engaged and coming back or offering an attractive business to whichever market you participate in to get a steady flow of income.
Consider Online Consulting
Online consultants advise clients using their professional skills built up over years of experience. Setting yourself up as an online consultant allows you to utilise the flexibility of remote working, reaching clients across the country, or even worldwide, from the comfort of your own home.
Such consultants usually work independently and on a freelance basis, with many making the most of picking and choosing their clients. Many people consult on business operations or strategy, but others might opt for something completely different.
If you’re a fan of networking, both in person and virtually, it can be a great option for anyone looking to start up an e-commerce business. Common ways online consultants outreach to their audience and potential clients are through social media and other popular online platforms.
YouTube is a good example of this as many established professionals in the fields of finance or entrepreneurship regularly share their thoughts and knowledge with large numbers of people through their channels and leave their contact details for potential collaborations or consultations.
Again, just like running your website, the quality of your content has to be high and frequent enough for you to draw and retain an audience. Once you have this consistently conveyed to your visitors you should over time begin to reach more and more people and grow your client base.
Conclusion
Do you have any tips to share with anyone wanting to get started with their e-commerce business? Feel free to share them down below for others to see!
