Tips of Opening your Own Online Store
Ecommerce is a billion dollar industry that is open to anyone with a computer and internet access. While it is true that opening an online store is easier than opening a brick and mortar shop, there is still a lot of work and dedication required for an ecommerce business. Thankfully, the following tips can help ensure the success of your online shop.
Research
Before you open your ecommerce shop, you should do extensive research. For example, get info on online stores in your niche so you see how they operate their shop. This will give you an idea on how your competitors work, as well as how they price their items and run their store. This information is invaluable to your success.
Website
In order to have an ecommerce business, you will need a website. However, if HTML, CSS, JAVA and PHP make no sense to you, your best bet is to find a web design that can create your online shop for you. These companies work with you, the business owner, to build a custom website for your shop. Unfortunately, this is rather expensive and something that most small businesses cannot afford. Another option is to look for a company that offers an all-in-one ecommerce solution with pre-made websites and a monthly fee.
Payments
Another thing to consider is what type of payments you are willing to accept in your online store. While most people use their credit card to shop with, actually accepting credit cards will require you opening a merchant account and paying fees for the ability to accept the cards. Another option is to use Paypal, which allows customers to use their Paypal balance, credit card or bank account to pay for items. You can also accept money orders or personal checks, but this will require waiting until they mail the payment and the personal check clears.
Customer Service
How you handle your customer service can make or break your commerce store. But how do you go about handling customer service? For businesses just starting out, it is more cost effective to personally handle customer service yourself. As your business grows, you can look into hiring an ecommerce vender who provides a reliable CRM (customer relationship management) tool. This is a common option for many online stores both big and small. Keep in mind, however, that this CRM tool typically requires a monthly fee that varies depending on the specific company you choose and the options you are looking for.