Five simple steps to start an online store in 2021

Starting an online store has nowadays become easier compared to some years back, where lots of coding was needed. This is not the case today due to advanced eCommerce platforms and tools such as PrestaShop Development that make the process simple.

It doesn’t matter whether you are a beginner in online business or you have been doing it, this guide will provide 5 simple steps to follow in order to successfully start an online store.

The goal is to help you have an online store up and running in just 5 steps. If done right, and with the right partners by your side, such as WebDesk Solution you might even get your first sale immediately after launching your online store.

5 Steps to Start an Online Store

The opportunities available in the online space are immense. Having an online store should now be your first priority.

What is the process of starting an online store? How do you go about it? What is needed for a successful online store? This guide will be answering these questions:

Step 1: Begin with Preparations for Your Online Store

Before getting into the actual process of starting an online store, there are few things that you need to do. These will help streamline the process of creating an online store. These preparations include;

Niche Research

A niche is very important in any online store. You need to be in an industry that is both lucrative and the one you enjoy being in. This will help you to be always engaged in what you do. One simple question to ask yourself is whether you will be able to do this for several years without feeling worn out.

Domain Name and Hosting

For you to be online, you need to choose a domain name that represents your brand. After that, you will need a reliable hosting service. Depending on the company you choose, the cost and functionality of hosting services will vary. The rule of the thumb is to ensure that the hosting company you choose is reliable and provides customer support.

Web Development

If you choose to create your site from the ground up, you will need to hire a website developer to take care of that. You can also select reliable template themes and PrestaShop Customization services for an online store that fits your needs.

Step 2: Find an Ecommerce Platform to Host Online Store

This is the most crucial step in creating an online store. In order to run a functional and successful online store, it is important to use a reliable backend eCommerce software/platform.

These online platforms help you skip the process of starting a website from scratch. This saves you time and money and helps you to only focus on important things in your online store business; marketing.

There are several online store platforms in the market today. However, PrestaShop is the simple to use and highly functional platform, created with end-user in mind. This PrestaShop Theme Development will provide you with all the necessary tools needed to succeed in your online store.

In case you're currently running your store on another platform that doesn't meet your requirements, you can automatically migrate all your customers, products, orders, etc. to PrestaShop.
 

Step 3: Design Your Unique Space in the Online Store

There are thousands of online stores on the internet today. In order for your online store to stand out among the rest, you need to think about unique design and strategies. The following are the key elements to make your online store to be unique;

Product Selection

The first thing that will make your online store to be unique is the products you sell. One question that you need to ask yourself is whether your products are filling a certain space in the lives of your customers.

From there on, ensure that you present those products in the best way possible. This is through taking clear pictures and writing clear and engaging product descriptions.

Unique Branding

Your brand should stand out in order to provide a unique reason why customers should keep on coming back to your online store. Your branding design, marketing strategy, and brand tone should be in line with your business goals for you to attain success. PrestaShop eCommerce websites contain features and tools to help you attain a unique branding for your online store.

Step 4: Refining Critical Details about Your Online Store

In order for everything to run smoothly, you will need to take care of critical details about your online store. These include;

Payment Details

Ensure that your online store supports several payment options for your customer to choose from. Research your target audience to determine the appropriate payment method they prefer to use. The more payment options you have, the better and PrestaShop theme development will help you get these.

Logistic Details

Another key element that you need to streamline is logistics. Ensure that you have reliable shipping options. With this, your customers can get their products easily and at a relatively low cost. Things such as packaging should also be considered at this point.

Legal Aspects

Make sure that you register your business. You should also consider incorporating your company in order to strengthen customer trust. Other legal details include tax filing. If you find it difficult to deal with the legal details of your online store, you can seek the help of a lawyer.

Step 5: Find a Marketing Strategy for Your Online Store

Here comes the fun part of your online store! You have set up your online store, and you are excited to get your first sale. Note that this doesn't come easily, so you should have an effective marketing strategy for your online store.

Data-driven marketing strategies are always the best. SEO is also a great way to drive organic traffic to your online store. Partnering with an expert in eCommerce marketing such as WebDesk Solution is another great option to increase the chances of succeeding in your online store.

There are several other marketing options you can use; these include; social media marketing & campaigns, SEO marketing, Google ads, email marketing, and more.

These few steps are all that you need in order to successfully start an online store. You do not have to be an expert in online store development. You can do it on your own, as shown in these simple steps. Get started today with the PrestaShop Development Company.