If you want to create your own online store , below you will find a guide to achieve it in an easy and simple way. The best part of all? You don't need advanced programming knowledge to achieve it. Let's get started!
What is an online store?
Also known as a virtual store or online store, an online store is a website that allows visitors to browse through a catalog of products, add them to a shopping cart and pay for them at the time they decide, placing an order and generating a purchase order, which will be available for the business to dispatch in the following days.
When talking about the ecosystem surrounding e-commerce, the online store is one of the most useful tools for concentrating the operation of a business, becoming the digital heart of a brand, as it allows the seller to put their products on sale available to the user 24 hours a day.
What is an online store for?
An online store is used to sell any product that is in a brand's catalogue. However, although we have already outlined this a bit in the previous section, a virtual store can serve more than just the buying and selling processes and meet different business needs such as:
Digital catalogue of a brand.
Transaction hub for the sales team.
Record of daily, monthly and annual sales.
Digital presence tool.
Purchasing method for remote or wholesale customers.
And it can be used for many other things! The uses that a company can give to an online store depend on the needs of the company, since it is such a flexible tool, it adapts to the operating process of a business. How? Through the applications and integrations that you can add to the operation of your virtual store.
Advantages of having an online store
In case you were missing reasons to create your own online store, here are some of the main advantages of having your own virtual store . Take note!
You can sell 365 days a year.
You will reach a larger universe of potential clients.
You will expand the reach of your business.
You will reduce costs in relation to a traditional business.
You will provide more purchasing options to your customers.
As you can see, the benefits of e-commerce are multiple and at different levels, making it not only a tool for your business, but also for your buyer, which allows for an omnichannel shopping experience, that is, enabling purchasing processes to adapt to your customer's tastes and preferences.
How to create an online store?
Now that you have a better idea of what an online store is and its main advantages, let's see how to create an online store in ten simple steps. Click on each point to go to each section.
Create a business plan.
Obtain the necessary permits.
Study your customers and your competition.
Work with trusted suppliers.
Choose the ideal e-commerce platform for your business.
Take professional product photos.
Develop your product descriptions.
Design your graphic materials.
Create your online store.
Promote it through social media.
Let's talk about each of these steps to avoid any doubts, shall we?
1. Create a business plan
The first step is always to lay the foundation for y List of Denmark Consumer Email our business. A business plan will help you do this as it will focus you on defining your business model. Think of it as the treasure map that will lead you to the reward. If you have no idea where to start, I recommend you use this Business Plan Template . You will find it very easy to use and best of all, it is free.
2. Obtain the necessary permits
With a strategy in hand, the next thing you need to consider is complying with the necessary permits. Each country has specific regulations regarding e-commerce, as well as the procedures that need to be completed to keep your company's operations in order. Research these points, what you need to operate, and how you can start selling without fearing legal obstacles.
In Mexico, to sell online, it is necessary to be registered with the SAT with an RFC with homoclave, one of the main requirements that every entrepreneur needs to meet according to the legal and tax regulations of our country. When expanding your presence internationally, it is crucial to take into account the tax implications of each region. Before opening your virtual store, it is advisable to calculate the applicable taxes , depending on the country of origin of your online store. Each jurisdiction has its own tax regulations for e-commerce, and understanding them in advance will allow you to comply with tax obligations and avoid possible legal complications. Considering these aspects from the beginning will guarantee a solid and smooth business operation in the future.
3. Study your customers and the competition
If you already sell in a physical store or through another channel, you probably already know the consumption habits of your clients and repeat buyers, in addition to having located two or three competitors that may have a similarity with your business. If not, and you are in an early stage of your venture, it is advisable that you know and observe your clients and the competition, since both profiles will give you a very good idea of what you need to do to provide added value to your brand.
4. Work with reliable suppliers
Regardless of your business model, working with suppliers who not only provide you with good merchandise or raw materials, but who are also reliable and committed, is a blessing. More than just suppliers, they are strategic allies in the formation of your company. If you already have them, congratulations. If you are building your supplier base, I recommend that you take into account price, quality, materials and delivery times.
If you are a dropshipper, this point is even more important, as they play a key role in the development of your company, because in addition to supplying you with photos, videos and samples of your products, they are the ones who will send the items to your customers, taking on a strategic role in what the buyer knows and understands about your brand.
5. Choose the ideal ecommerce platform for your business
Once you have sorted out the above points, it is time to research ecommerce platforms and choose the best one for your company. Some of the most popular and used platforms are:
Tiendanube
Shopify
WooCommerce
Each of them has its advantages and disadvantages, as they have different costs and requirements. My recommendation will always be Tiendanube. In addition to its ease of use, it does not require an extra installation like WooCommerce, nor does it have as high a cost as Shopify. You can start selling from day one, and they even give you 30 free days to try the platform and see all the possibilities it offers your business. However, you have to think long-term and choose a scalable platform that is intuitive for the customer to use and is one of the eCommerce platforms that converts the most to maximize your sales.
