Key Tools to Build a Successful E-Commerce Business
When setting up a successful e-commerce business, you need to make sure you have the right tools for the job. Whether you have a brick and mortar store to complement your online presence, or whether you run the entire business out of your home, it’s important to make sure you are prepared to run a successful e-commerce business.
Build Your Website
After you have an idea of what you will sell on your e-commerce website, you need to get that home on the Internet constructed. There are many resources that can help you learn how to create a business website. I prefer using independent sources when I look online for help on best practices, as well as for places to find website builders that are easy to use. Look for reviews of different hosts and site builders, and even check your network to see if there is someone who can help you out.
Many e-commerce business owners like using WordPress for its simple interface and for the flexibility that comes with it. However, there are plenty of other site builders out there, including FourSquare, that can help you build an attractive website without a lot of fuss.
If you aren’t really sure how to move forward and you have the budget, consider can also hire someone to develop your website.
Get a Shopping Cart
When you run an e-commerce business, there needs to be a way for customers to make purchases. This means that you need a good way for customers to add purchases to a cart and then pay for them. You’ll want a cart that can also handle setting up shipping since you don’t want to spend all your time managing inventory that needs to go out. Depending on the shopping cart you use, it’s possible to integrate different shipping options, which can make things a little easier for you.
Accept a Variety of Payments
Don’t forget that you need to be able to accept a number of payment forms. You will need to find a merchant account provider that works well for you, and that can accept a number of different credit cards, including PayPal. More customers are looking for different ways to pay quickly and easily online, and that means you need to be flexible in the way you accept payments. There are also tools like ecoPayz that make it easy to send and receive money all over the world.
Pay attention to any foreign transaction fees and currency conversion fees you might run into when doing business with overseas customers. You will also need to be aware of transaction fees and other costs that come with accepting credit cards and other forms of online payment.
Use Content and Social Media to Draw in Customers
A successful e-commerce business also needs to draw in customers. Most customers use the Internet to search for what they want, so you need to be online. Creating a content delivery system that provides your customers with valuable information is important if you want to be found online.
Some of the most useful types of content includes:
- How-tos and tutorials
- Video content as well as written content
- Helpful news related to your industry or store
- Detailed information on your products and services
Don’t forget to format your content for mobile devices. Mobile search is an increasingly important part of the equation, and you need to make sure that your website and your content can be accessed from the palm of your customers’ hands.
You also need some sort of social media campaign that makes sense for your business. Whether it’s setting up a YouTube channel, being active on Facebook or Pinterest, or using Twitter, you need to figure out what your products are good for, and then put together a social marketing campaign that complements your content and your business.
A successful e-commerce business is about more than just putting stuff online. You need to work on a plan, and build your website and support systems around that plan.
