Why should you setup an online store?

There is an enormous opportunity in online commerce, especially in Africa, where the market is still in its infant stages. Since March 2020, as the world goes into lockdown because of COVID-19, there has been a surge in demand for online and stay at home services. Here we will discuss a list of things to help you properly position your business to take advantage of the opportunity and start your online store for success.

Getting ready

If you want to succeed as an online merchant, it is important to understand where your products fit within the competitive landscape and are clear about your online objectives. Ask yourself the following questions to start your journey to creating your online store and selling online.

• Will my product or service work online?
• What role will my site play in my overall sales strategy?
• What features and information should I include on my site?
• What is the best venue for my product?
• How will I collect money from my sales?
• Can people relate to my story?
• Do I have proper branding tools for online, like logo, pictures, etc

If the answer to all the questions asked above is a yes, then you should begin setting up your online store.

Prepare your product inventory

Picture a successful business in your head. Maybe you’re picturing a small local shop or a huge corporate business.

• What do these two companies have in common?
• Do they both consistently have the products in stock that you want?
• Do they both carry goods in-store and online?

If the answers are yes, both businesses have a good handle on their physical inventories. When you decide on the products you want to sell in your online store, such as electronics, or beauty Products or handcrafts, considering the amount of each is essential. You can then decide based on the customers reaction how much to get of each for the future as trends pick up and fall, getting stuck with too much of a product people no longer want can put you out of business.

Take brilliant pictures

In the online world, buyers are always looking for time-saving shortcuts, and their attention naturally gravitates to the quickest way to gather information: images. Product images not only testify to the quality of your product but also serve as windows into your online store, creating two important things:

• Transparency
• Trust

Images shape their first impression, creating a tipping point whether they will continue browsing and eventually make a purchase. Photos are a key part of a buyer’s decision-making process, ultimately determining conversion and retention rates. The quality of a product photo reflects your brand image, creating that infamous first impression. Images are at the forefront of your brand. They are the first to grab attention, instill trust, and invite customers to take a second, third, and maybe a fourth look.

Make Social media your best friend

Marketing is important for any business that wants to stand out in a sea of competitors offering similar products or services. Your brand is your business’s personality, what your consumers will remember you for when someone mentions your company name, their perceptions on the kind and quality of service you deliver, and the emotional bond that you share with them.

What we post on social media defines who we are, and businesses are no exception. If you want your consumers to see what you think you and your brand truly are, or if you want to raise awareness about your brand and really stand out from your competitors, the best way to do that is to be active on social media.

Focus on customer satisfaction

Increasing online sales is the primary goal of countless businesses, large and small alike, increasing sales through online channels is a little like bowling a strike, a lot easier than it is. Fortunately, there are dozens of ways you can make more sales online, many of which you can implement today. The key is to channel all your focus on satisfying the customer. Getting the attention of prospective customers, gaining their interest, and converting them costs more than retaining existing customers.

Therefore, it’s worth focusing resources on keeping existing customers satisfied with your goods and services. Don’t forget about your buyers after one deal, but encourage them to keep up good relationships during a long-term period. With selling online, standing on the shoulders of giants helps you see further, chances are there are sellers who have got it all figured out. Look at their product descriptions, images and page layout and make a list of things they’re doing well. Think about how you can do it better, you’re looking to stand out from the crowd, make your online store the best it can be.