How to Set Up Online Business Step by Step
The contributed post below gave me plenty of food for thought.
I am 2 years down the line and still getting clear on my Unique Selling Point. My business kind of developed from one thing to another, so in a sense, the USP is changing as my business ideas expand. All a learning curve Once I settle on a clear direction am sure my business will take off like never before.
I know I’m not alone in this. I’ve seen this happen with other bloggers – they re-invent themselves every couple of years. That’s the exciting thing about the online world, it’s ever-changing.
Here are the first 3 Steps in Setting up Your Online Business. For further steps on how to set up your online business, go to
How to…? Wealthy Affiliate has the Answers You’re Looking for as a New Blogger
On with the contributed post.
3 Things to Consider Before Setting Up Your First E-Commerce Business
Setting up any business for the first time is incredibly exciting, but there are a few practical things to think about before you get started with an e-commerce business.
To begin with, you will need to find a way to stand out in a crowded marketplace. You will also need to think about more practical problems such as how you will fulfil orders and where you will store products.
What is Your USP?
The internet is amazing for giving you an opportunity to set up shop and sell your products around the world. However, it also means that, as a marketplace, the internet is already crowded.
You need to find a way to make your e-commerce business stand out and to market your brand accordingly.
Your brand might be something quite simple but approachable, or you could be more quirky. Perhaps you should consider targeting a particular audience with your products and branding for them specifically, rather than more generally.
Once you have found your niche, you will need to consider the types of digital marketing you should use. For example, you should look into the use of SEO and how your competitors are bringing in business.
You should also consider how you are going to create a social media presence that links to your branding and USP and draws people to your e-commerce website.
How Will You Fulfill Orders?
Persuading people to buy your products is one thing, but once they have arrived at your website and checked out, you need to make sure that their order is fulfilled.
A company like Red Stag Fulfillment is ideal for e-commerce businesses as they have a large reach and can deliver to most people within a couple of days.
The time it takes between the order placement and delivery is an important aspect to consider because many customers like to think of the internet as almost instant. For your business, this means that the faster you can fulfill an order, the more likely customers are to return to your e-commerce site or recommend it to a friend.
Do You Require Storage Space?
In view of the importance of speedy delivery, you should also consider the sort of space you will need to run your business. In order to deliver your products as fast as possible, it makes sense that you would have a storage room to help you immediately process orders, rather than order products in only once they have been bought from you.
Whether you are running your business from home or from a dedicated work space, you will need enough room for storing your products. This could be a shed outside, an upstairs room or even just a room in your house if you are working from home.
All you need to do is make sure that the conditions are suitable for the type of product you are storing.
With a well branded site, a fast delivery time and ample storage, your e-commerce business will be up and running in no time.
Image Credit: Pexels
Did you consider these three steps before you set up your online business? Did you know your USP upfront? Or did it evolve over time?
