Create an online store: 8 points to consider before starting!

An online store, or e-commerce, is a website designed to sell products directly over the Internet. This is a convenient and effective option for all users who want to purchase products without having to leave their homes or without the hassle of going to different stores in search of the right item.

Among physical stores, competition is great. Even so, among online stores, the scenario can be a little more challenging, since online there are no limits to the radius of reach of your store. It is true that by creating an online store you will expand your business and reach potential customers from other geographic areas, but the competitors will also be on a larger scale.

Creating an online store is a great way to grow your business and reach a wider audience. However, planning and implementing a successful online store requires a lot of consideration.

It is important, among other things, to define your target audience, create an effective marketing strategy, design an attractive and easy-to-navigate online store and implement an efficient customer service.

8 aspects to consider before creating an online store:

1. Know the market

Do market research and analyze your competitors. Understand your target audience and the market you are looking to enter. Identify your competitors, see what they are doing well and what they are doing that could be improved. See the prices charged, the delivery conditions available and the way the products are presented.

The idea is not to copy, it is to do better. If you understand the weaknesses and strengths of your competition, you can create a better service, capable of attracting and retaining customers. Take this information and define your role and how your online store will fill the gaps in the current market.

2. Create a business plan

Define the objectives, strategies and goals you want for your online store. This includes things like marketing strategies, financial projections and expansion plans.

Have a good financial planning, which includes a forecast of expenses, investments and profits, so that you can guarantee the viability and profitability of your online store. With proper planning and implementing best practices, you'll be well on your way to having a successful online store.

Don't forget to measure and analyze your store's performance on a regular basis and make the necessary adjustments to keep your strategy updated.

3. Sell the right products

Don't try to sell everything! Choose to focus your efforts on a niche market that you are interested in or know about. This will help you to be more focused on a specific group of customers and it will be easier to position your business.

It is important to select the right products to sell in your online store, as well as ensuring timely stock availability. Also ensure that your products meet the quality expectations of your customers by choosing reliable suppliers.

Follow market trends to always stay up to date on news in your sector, in order to offer your customers the best products and services.

4. Ensure the safety of your store and your customers

Know the laws and regulations that apply to your business, especially regarding the sale of products online and customers' personal information. It's important to have a good understanding of the rules and regulations that apply to your online store, such as privacy and e-commerce laws.

It is also critical to ensure that your store is safe and secure against cyber threats such as hacker attacks and theft of customer information.

By providing a secure shopping experience, you not only earn your customers' trust, but also protect your business.

5. Decide between a marketplace or your own online store

It is essential to decide where you are going to sell your products. You can choose to create your own online store or upload your products to a marketplace, a platform that brings together several shopkeepers.

In the marketplace, you will find ready-made solutions in terms of layouts, payments and product shipping. The platform also brings exposure and customer flow to your business. However, you will be competing directly, on the same site, with other businesses, you may have to pay commissions on every sale you make and your business will be dependent on a platform that does not belong to you.

If you choose to create your own online store, you will have full control over your business, you will be able to create a database of your customers and you are not subject to commissions on the sales you make. Of course, having your own online store, you are responsible for all the investment in creating the store, means of payment and structuring deliveries. Even so, you'll have complete control over your business and you'll be safer because you know you're not depending on platforms external to your company.

Regardless of your choice, the means of payment must be suitable for the market in which your store operates and must guarantee an efficient customer support service.

Also consider the user experience. Your store should be easy to use, with an attractive, intuitive and easy to navigate design. This will help ensure that customers can easily find what they are looking for and be able to make their purchases with ease.

6. Bet on digital marketing to appear organically

It is important to invest in SEO (Search Engine Optimization) techniques to ensure that your online store appears in the top positions of the search results of the main search engines like Google. This will help increase visibility and traffic to your store, which can result in more sales without spending money on ads.

Have an attractive, easy-to-navigate design that includes great photos and detailed product descriptions. Consider creating a blog for your online store, where you write about the products you sell. This will help organically position your store for products of interest.

Find out how Global Pixel can help you improve the organic performance of your online store!

7. Consider investments in paid traffic

It can also be important to invest in online advertising to attract new customers and increase your brand awareness.

There may be aspects for which organic traffic is not enough to give your business a prominent place. In these cases, you can consider investments in ads, such as shopping campaigns on Google Ads, for example, to attract traffic to your store.

Still, never neglect the organic optimization of your online store. It's no use attracting visitors if they can't find what they're looking for or complete a purchase easily. That said, ads should work as a complement to your strategy, not being the foundation of it.

8. Use social media to your advantage

It is important to create a strong presence on social networks and maintain good communication with customers, responding to their questions and comments. This aspect will also contribute to building a good reputation and retaining your customers. In addition, social networks can be a valuable source of traffic for your online store or even serve as a new sales channel for your business.

Did you know that at Global Pixel we have professionals able to manage your business' social networks?

At Global Pixel, we have a team specialized in creating online stores, ready to help you through the entire process, from the idea to the realization and delivery of the project. With over 12 years of experience in the market and hundreds of online projects, we create online stores that make a difference and maximize your business!

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