In today’s digital age, online shopping through e-shops is coming to the fore. It’s much easier for people because they can buy their product from the comfort of their own home through an e-shop, and a courier will deliver it directly to their address. So they don’t have to go directly to brick-and-mortar stores, and they have saved a lot of time.
If you want to start your own shop and you want to have an e-shop alongside it, we offer you some tips on how to start something like this. If you want to start your own shop from scratch, Biznisweb.sk offers 5 basic steps on how to set up your own e-shop from the very beginning to its launch:
Step 1: Choosing a suitable name for your e-shop or website
Step 2: Hosting and CMS system
Step 3: Attractive and responsive web design
Step 4: Content marketing for the e-shop
Step 5: Advertising for the e-shop
Step 1: Choosing a suitable name for your e-shop or website
If you want to start your business completely from scratch, you need to choose a name for your e-shop. This should be very easy to remember and as short as possible. One tip to come up with the best name is to write down a list of keywords that describe the intent of your business. Another piece of advice to determine if your name is a good one for your e-shop is to ask interested people.
Step 2: Hosting and CMS system
Web hosting is a server host where your domain and e-shop content will be stored. Some e-shop development companies often offer the aforementioned web hosting as part of the e-shop rental price. Another important part is the Content Management System (CMS, translated into English – content management information system or content management system). In the system you can edit everything important on your website. You pay the content management system provider for the use of the CMS and other associated functions.
Step 3: Attractive and responsive web design
If you want people to shop on your store, you need to impress them right from the first impression. That’s why you should design an appealing and responsive web design. Responsive precisely so that it automatically adapts to the device on which it is displayed. Nowadays, this is very necessary because a lot of people are browsing the site via mobile phone. You can customize the web design to your liking. You can use your own photos, logo, number of products per page, change the colors.
Nowadays, the so-called flat design is often preferred. This is a type of flat website design and does not use any graphic elements that create a 3D effect. The advantage of this is higher interest from clients and the e-shop does not overwhelm them with any exaggerated visual effects, but directs their attention to where you want it.
Step 4: Content marketing for the e-shop
Content marketing for an e-commerce store is very important in terms of getting customers to stay on your site and buy what they need. Everyone will buy something that will help them solve their problem. And that’s why e-shop operators should highlight the benefits of the product with their products and show what problem the customer can solve with their help. Of course, don’t forget to describe your products and services.
To be able to do perfect content marketing for an e-shop, you need to know your products perfectly, as well as your target customer group. You should also try to sell your products on social media, blog or newsletter.
Step 5: Advertising for the e-shop
If you are a beginner entrepreneur, you need to run an ad that costs nothing. It is SEO, or search engine optimization. If you have the budget and want to be 100% sure that your business will be heading in the right direction, reach out to a marketing agency to help you set up advertising for your e-commerce store.
Methods of delivery of goods
If you have already set up an e-shop, before you decide to sell your products, you need to choose the shipping method by which the goods will be delivered to the customer. There are a number of ways, and you just have to choose the most suitable one.
The most common way of transporting goods is the Slovak Post. It has an extensive network of branches also in villages. However, it should be added that you have to deliver the goods you would like to deliver to the customer in person to the post office, which can take a lot of time. The advantage of the Slovak Post is that it can also ship goods abroad and the price is favourable when shipping parcels without cash on delivery. On the other hand, the disadvantage is the time-consuming delivery of the package and the high price for express delivery by postal courier.
Another popular method of package delivery is courier service. There are several of them in Slovakia, so you have a lot to choose from. It is a bit more expensive than the Slovak Post, but the courier will pick up the parcel directly from your home and can inform the customer of the expected delivery. Another advantage is that if the courier’s arrival time doesn’t suit you, you can negotiate with the courier and reschedule. However, not every company can offer this and so check reviews and experiences with the courier companies in question.
Today, a frequently used method of delivery of goods is the Parcel Service. It is a dispensing point. Customers often choose this method of delivery because they can pick up their package at the opening time of the establishment where the dispensing point is located. Also, they do not have to pick up their package on the day it is delivered to the dispensary. They have 7 days to collect it. However, the disadvantage is that the parcel delivery is more time-consuming and the parcel delivery service does not have a well-developed network of branches across Slovakia like the Slovak Post.
If you live in a larger city and have customers from there, you can also use your own transport. This is probably the least problematic way of transport. The deliverer has a clear view of the goods at all times and doesn’t have to worry about not delivering properly to the customer. It is also an advantage that if you offer large-sized goods, you do not have to give extra charges to the courier company. You can also agree with the customer when the goods will be delivered and if this is not convenient for either party, you can change it at any time and easily.
Method of payment for goods
The typical method of payment for goods is a bank transfer. So the customer transfers money from his account to the seller’s account. Goods are usually shipped when the seller receives the money in the account. The downside is that this transfer can take a few days, as it is not done on weekends or holidays.
Another way to pay for goods is by card payment through a payment gateway. For this payment method, the e-shop operator must link the payment gateway to his online shop. The advantages of this payment method are immediate payment after ordering without waiting for the transaction, easy refund to the customer’s account, third party credibility for the customer, and with the option to store the card, payment is fast for the customer. However, many people do not trust these payment gateways and therefore shy away from this type of payment. They may also be put off by high transaction fees or withholding of payments.
The most popular payment gateway abroad is PayPal. However, the service has high fees, but the amount decreases as the volume of payments increases. However, it is a convenient payment method for e-shops that accept payments in different currencies. However, if you get into a situation where a customer is claiming goods, PayPal has traditionally sided with the customer. Unless you can prove that the method of delivery of the goods went smoothly and without complications, PayPal will refund the customer’s money.
Less trusting people often prefer to pay on delivery. However, they also have no problem with the fact that the price may increase by a few euros for this type of payment. A frequent problem for sellers is perhaps the inability to collect the parcel or the withholding of money, especially at the post office. Another advantage nowadays is that you can pay by card on delivery if the courier has a portable payment terminal.
Marketing matters
An e-commerce store without proper marketing would not be able to function as you would imagine. That’s why you need to use a variety of ways to promote your e-shop. If you have decided to do business on the internet, you should also create social networks such as Facebook, Instagram or YouTube in addition to your online store. With social networks, you can get new potential customers, and if you can manage Facebook properly, it can also become your sales channel. If not, don’t be afraid to reach out to a marketing agency that could definitely help you with this. As for Instagram, you could use it for example to show life in the company or to publish different photos of products or services.
When running an e-shop properly, don’t forget about sales promotion. This actually means product marketing, when you offer your customers various contests, rewards, discounts, or gifts. People often want to save money on a product, and they are usually impressed by a discounted product. However, don’t forget that you want to make money in the first place, so you need to set the discount amount so that it is profitable for you.
Don’t forget the right public relations. If you want to promote your brand and e-shop, publish various articles in news sites, newspapers or websites. However, it must be useful and simple content that will attract a lot of customers.
Which sections of the e-shop should I not forget?
Although the e-shop is used to sell products, you must not forget about the other sections that must be present on the website. One of the most important ones is the About Us section. Here you should introduce your company, your goals, past and development. Thanks to this, you will be able to more easily create a trusting relationship with the customer, who also decides on the purchase thanks to his emotions.
You definitely shouldn’t forget to blog as well. It’s a way to attract new potential customers, as many e-shops focus purely on selling products, not on connecting with customers. For example, if you sell eco products, you can write about healthy lifestyle and exercise tips and advice in your blog. For example, if it’s a product for consumption, you can also add a few recipes in which your product can be used. You can basically write about almost anything your product is related to.
Don’t forget the terms and conditions, which are a mandatory part of every e-shop. This is a summary of all the important information about different areas. Be careful when drafting the terms and conditions, as it is a contract, so to speak, between the seller and the buyer. You will also appreciate the general rule “clara pacta – boni amici”, which translates as “good contracts make good friends”.
If you want to protect yourself and your customers, don’t forget in the terms and conditions:
- main characteristics of the goods
- seller’s details
- the total price of the goods of the service, including VAT, the cost of transport, delivery, postage, other costs and charges, the price for the use of means of long-distance communication
- payment terms, delivery terms, delivery time, information on handling of complaints and claims
- information on the consumer’s right to withdraw from the contract without giving a reason
- information on the cost of returning the goods to the seller in the event of withdrawal from the contract
- information about the consumer’s obligation, if any, to pay the seller the price for the performance provided
- information on when the consumer cannot withdraw from the contract
- information that the seller is responsible for defects in the goods
- information about the stricter warranty conditions
- information on relevant codes of conduct
- information on the duration of the contract
- information on the minimum duration of the consumer’s commitments
- information on the obligation to pay an advance
- information about the possibility and conditions for resolving the dispute through alternative dispute resolution and inform the customer about the processing of personal data.
Our customer – our master
If you want to have a functioning and stable e-shop, you must not forget about customer service. Buyers are sensitive to how you treat them, especially after they make a purchase. How often you interact with your customers is extremely important for the reason that they may say that you are an untrustworthy e-shop and will not recommend it to their other acquaintances. Also, be careful not to accidentally send damaged goods to a customer. However, if you do get into this situation, you should give them a refund so that they don’t think you did it on purpose and realise your mistake.
Also, try to process orders as quickly as possible. Speed is one of the key factors that puts you ahead of the competition. Remember to keep the customer informed of the status of their package throughout the order processing. If there’s a problem with fast delivery, be sure to inform the customer and explain in reasonable terms what’s behind the late arrival of the order.
Online business is a very effective and often used way nowadays. A lot of people are intimidated by it, but if you have a lot of knowledge about the workings of an e-commerce store, feel free to take the plunge. There are plenty of tips on how to start a quality e-shop and we wanted to show you a few of them.
