It is all very well having a great e-commerce business idea, but if you are unable to translate your product into a workable, efficient and attractive website, then it is unlikely to translate into profit. However, you don’t need to be a technical genius in order to achieve this. First and foremost, make sure to do the necessary research to ensure that people are searching for your product, but not so many as to flood the market. Once you’ve done that, use this useful checklist as a guide to building your e-commerce site.
Register a domain name
The actual process of registering a name is quick, cheap and simple. Visit one of the many websites which enable you to do this (such as GoDaddy.com) and you can register a name for as little as just a few dollars. Selecting a name is more difficult. Don’t choose anything too clever or complicated. Go for something relatively short and easy to remember.
Decide on a web host
A web host essentially stores your website and all its pages on a server and ensures that the site is always connected, online and working. Again, it is a relatively cheap service and there are many to choose from. Try to choose one which includes a built-in secure shopping cart. This will make it much easier for you to sell your product and to keep track of sales.
Learn a little HTML
HTML is the computer code which enables you to make changes to your site. You don’t need to become an expert, but if your website is a generic template, a little HTML knowledge will allow you to make the necessary changes to give it a unique, tailored feel which best suits your needs. If you don’t feel comfortable in this area, there are e-commerce website-builders (such as Shopify or Wix) you can use without needing any coding knowledge. There are some limitations and potential higher costs involved, so do your research before making a decision.
Install reliable, secure sales system
Your site will likely require a shopping cart as part of its design. However, you must buy and renew your SSL certificates. This certification proves that your system is safe and secure to make purchases and will generate credibility among customers. It is also worth considering opening a PayPal account. It remains by far the most popular sales system available, preferred by many.
Upload your products logically
Your selected web design must allow you to easily upload high quality images and information on your products yourself. This gives you control of how things are presented, which products take priority and when. Make sure to organize them logically with your most exciting products up front on the homepage.
Customer service system
You will want to provide help for your customers and potential customers when needed. Therefore, you must have a reliable system in place to deal with requests. An e-mail address and phone number on your site is a minimum requirement. Strongly consider integrating a contact form on the site too. And of course, make sure to be responsive.
Share and distribute content
Spread the word about your products. Share information, news and ideas on them as much as possible. You can do this without too much hassle by sharing links with other sites, writing guest posts on blogs and being active on relevant social media platforms. Social networking is paramount in today’s business world. Be sure to integrate Facebook, Twitter, and other major social networks into your e-commerce site.
Good luck with your e-commerce site! Remember, the domain name you choose is paramount to your brand and business. Do your research when looking for web hosting providers! If your chosen website platform does not provide enough security, you’ll need to find companies with the best value for SSL certificates. Once your customer support is up and running and you’ve established a presence among the community via your social networking efforts, you should be on the path to success!
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