So, you’ve decided to start an e-commerce business? That’s great news, and with the current online boom due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there has never been a better time to get started.  That said, it’s important to note that starting an e-commerce business from the ground up is no walk in the park and involves a lot more work than many entrepreneurs initially think. Your first step will be to carry out some thorough research, after all, if you are going to make a significant investment you will want to ensure an appropriate potential ROI is possible. The research stage might include: 

• Researching Business Models – What is the right business model for you? Is it drop shipping, print on demand, or perhaps white labeling?
• Niche Research – Decide if your product niche is viable enough. You’ll want it to be competitive but not too heavily saturated, especially by major brands.  
• Identify Target Market – Who are you selling to? What are these consumers into? What are their needs? 

Only when you’re sure you have the right products, the right business model, and the right audience will you be ready to get your e-commerce site started. This will involve registering your business and brand name, applying for all appropriate licenses, and finalizing your e-commerce business plan. Once that’s done, there’s the small matter of building your e-commerce store, sorting out payment gateways, and ensuring all your content is SEO optimized. Finally, you’ll want to think about the wider task of attracting customers to your store and increasing engagement. See? We told you it was a lot of hard work, and that’s just the beginning.  

The great news is, by working with an experienced team such as Unique eStores, the stress of starting an e-commerce venture from the ground up can be minimized. We’re the e-commerce experts and have 25 years of experience in helping entrepreneurs just like you build hugely successful e-commerce businesses. We can guide you through all essential steps and ensure your site is ready to go live faster than otherwise possible. Also, by taking advantage of our unique industry insights, you’ll be able to save time and money by avoiding all typical mistakes, giving you greater confidence in success and ROI.  

E-Commerce Business Challenges 

Of course, with all opportunities come challenges and as an e-commerce entrepreneur, there is no denying that you will face many. First of all, there is the issue of cybersecurity. The sheer fact that your business is online immediately makes you vulnerable to viruses, stolen data, and other malware attacks. The loss of confidential information such as customer credit card details can be catastrophic and lead to huge financial and reputational damage. The good news is that Unique eStores can advise you on the best ways to minimize this challenge, including backing up data, installing security plugins, and updating CMS platforms regularly. By working together, we can create a line of defense that will minimize setbacks and ensure your e-commerce business grows as quickly as possible.

Another challenge to consider is shopping cart abandonment. You will spend a lot of time trying to get your ideal customer to find you, the last thing you want is for them to walk away at the last hurdle. This challenge is so big for entrepreneurs that statistics show abandonment rates can reach as high as 80%. Typical reasons cited include slow loading webpages, customers’ change of mind, and lengthy check-out forms. We can help you overcome these challenges by optimizing your shopping cart, eliminating tedious forms, and integrating live chat experiences to answer customer queries.

Finally, when you consider that multi-channel shoppers tend to spend three times more than single-channel shoppers, it’s clear that if you’re not offering an omnichannel experience, you’re limiting the rate at which your e-commerce business can grow. To overcome this challenge, Unique eStores can help you to identify the most relevant online channels for your specific customers and work to enhance them. This can bring the added benefit of creating a digital communication record, meaning you can nurture relationships in a personalized way, maximize customer loyalty and grow faster. So, if you’re ready to start an e-commerce business or grow your existing store faster, don’t delay. Contact Unique eStores and see how our range of services can help you, today.