6 Steps to Starting an Ecommerce Business in 2020

Ecommerce! It often sounds like a puzzle. Collecting the pieces - What products to be sold? Which platform is the best? How to choose an eCommerce web development company? And the list goes on. Though starting an eCommerce business is quite similar to brick-and-mortar, but just because it's digital, it seems like a challenge. Are you facing it too - difficulty in starting an eCommerce business? Don't worry! We have got you covered.

Follow these six steps for a successful eCommerce website development.

Step 1: Decide on a Business Plan

The first step to an eCommerce website development is to know what you want to sell and to whom. You can start by researching different eCommerce businesses and choosing your niche—for example, printed t-shirts, vintage collection, customized jewelry, etc. After deciding the niche, pick a business model, whether you want to sell your products to customers or other businesses, i.e. B2B or B2C. Along with this, also figure out your target audience and revenue model.

Step 2: Plan your Budget

Budget planning is essential for your venture. Starting an eCommerce business means considering multiple aspects such as products, legal documents, eCommerce platforms, staff, business launch, post-launch marketing, and emergency. Planning the total budget based on these factors would be difficult, but it's essential to give you an idea about what you need and what you want. By allocating a fixed proportion to all the elements necessary for the business, you can move ahead without worrying about the budget later. When you allot the amount to every task, make sure to keep one-third of it for emergencies.

Step 3: Legalize your Ecommerce Business

To make your business legal, first, you will have to name your eCommerce store. Choose a unique one that resonates with your brand and ensures that it's simple, unique, and original. The unique name you choose further helps in selecting the domain name. Domain name - "yourwebsite.com" is your website's address, and without it, you can't build an online store. A good domain name will increase your brand awareness, create mobility, and increase traffic, so choose wisely. Once you've it ready, register your eCommerce business and get all the required licenses.

Step 4: Choose an Ecommerce Platform

An eCommerce platform is the foundation of an online website. If the foundation is not strong, it may cost you a lot. So, check out different eCommerce platforms, learn about their pros and cons, along with their features. Considering all these factors, choose the one that best suits your requirement. Some of the most famous eCommerce platforms are - Magento, Shopify, WooCommerce, BigCommerce, BigCartel, MeanStack, etc. To get a clear idea of the platform, it is recommended to consult an eCommerce website development company.

Step 5: Select the Vendor

You have chosen your eCommerce platform, but who will customize and design it? An eCommerce developer! But how to choose the right eCommerce website development company? Start by listing all the eCommerce development companies. Then, check out their testimonials, case studies, product portfolios, ratings and reviews, technologies. After researching thoroughly, choose the one that is well versed with the technology and provides credibility. In partnership, discuss with the team; ask for their solutions, budget cost, and the estimated delivery time.

After finalizing, get your eCommerce website development done!

Step 6: Launch and Market your eCommerce Business

Your eCommerce website is ready. Launch it, and here starts your real work, i.e., promoting your business.

There are different tactics to promote your business - blogs, social media postings, ads, word-of-mouth, emails, SMS, affiliates, and so on. There are many paid advertisements that can bring in more traffic but don't invest just when you've started. Start low and free by engaging with your customers through blogs, social media. Offer discounts and deals, and then go for paid marketing.

Keep marketing with new creative ideas and build your brand!

With every successful step, you'll be closer to your eCommerce business. The journey of eCommerce website development will be overwhelming at times, but it's not rocket science. Moreover, you will have nothing to lose. Only profits!

Maulik Shah runs an IT company named BiztechCS which is headquartered in Ahmedabad, India. They offer innovative IT solutions like mobile app development, eCommerce web development, custom solutions, and more.