If you have been made redundant due to Covid-19, or you simply would like to quit your current job and work for yourself, this article was written with you in mind. If you have chosen the right line of products, there is no reason why you can’t make a success with e-commerce, and with that in mind, here are some useful tips to ensure success.
- Invest in a Powerful Business Laptop – This is the only digital device you need to manage your business empire, which should be a powerful machine that has great reviews, and with affordable computer repairs in Nerang only a call away, you are good to go. Of course, you will need a hi-speed Internet connection and a decent smartphone, which allows you to work from any location.
- Web Design & Construction – Of course, you will outsource the design and construction of your shopping cart website, which is your portal to the world and with specialist help, your platform will look slick and professional. Once the site is online, you can manage, or ask the web developer to handle updates and new content, which leaves you free to take care of other aspects of the business.
- Digital Marketing – Regardless of what you are selling, you will need to have your website optimised for Google searches and search engine optimisation (SEO) will drive traffic to your digital platform. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that digital marketing is an optional extra, rather it is the only way that potential buyers can find your store, so do include SEO services in your monthly budget. Let us not forget social media marketing, which can be a very powerful way to drive users to your platform and any SEO company would offer social media marketing services to their clients. While work is important, you should not stare at your screen for hours on end, as this article explains.
- Logistics – From the moment a consumer clicks on ‘buy’, the clock is ticking and it is your job to do what it takes to facilitate a raid delivery. Outsource your logistics to a third-party logistics company (3PL) who have the resources to pack your orders and deliver to the customers. This is easy to set up; simply have your products and packaging delivered to your 3PL provider and forward all orders, leaving you free to improve the customer’s experience.
- Payment Gateways – Of course, the more payment options you have, the better. Start with accepting all major credit cards, which is the most popular way to pay for online goods, plus you could accept PayPal and direct bank transfer, which gives the customer choices.
- IT Security – If you are accepting payments via your website, then it is essential that you enlist the services of an IT security specialist, who will ensure the platform is safe from hackers, and the service would be ongoing, automatically installing security patches and updates. Click here for Australian government advice about cyber-security, which is a recommended read for all digital entrepreneurs.
While there is a lot to set up, once the business is up and running, you can manage everything from your living room at home and never forget that the secret to success is digital marketing.