7 Tips for Starting Your Own Online Store

Ready to take your selling beyond eBay? Millions of entrepreneurs have already created their own e-commerce sites, and you can too. Here are seven steps to get you started.

1: Choose A Host

Deciding on a web host will depend on your budget, bandwidth requirements and technical know-how. Some sites, like 1 Shopping Cart, will hold your hand through the building process until you’ve created an online shopfront that makes you proud. Others may only provide the space and leave you to it.

2: Decide On A Domain Name

What will your store be called? There are many tricks to picking a name that “pops,” but remember that it needs to make a good URL as well. The name buyshirtsUSAxx3.com just isn’t as memorable as cordeliascloset.com.

3: Hire A Web Designer

Even if your host provides templates of their own, you’ll probably want to invest in a web designer for maximum creativity and browsing efficiency. Unfair or not, how your website looks is often more important than what it actually sells. Don’t scare away potential customers with a bad layout.

4: Learn Your Way Around SEO

SEO, or search engine optimization, is the art of directing web traffic to your site through the use of things like keywords and internal linking. Everyone has a different opinion on the best way to utilize SEO, but if you can find a solution that works for you, you’ll conquer Google and Yahoo in no time.

5: Know Your Demographic

Who’s your intended audience? How old are they? What’s their average income? What kind of advertising will speak to them? It’s a common mistake of first-timers to say “my store is for everyone!” without making any attempt at targeted marketing. These kinds of stores don’t last long.

6: Figure Out Your Financials

It isn’t enough to create a great store with unique products and a killer design. If your customers can’t pay for the goods in a way that’s convenient for them, you’ll never see any profit at all! Make sure you offer multiple payment options during checkout.

7: Spread the Word

Last but certainly not least, you’ll need to advertise your store once you’ve thrown open the virtual doors. Make social media accounts; pay for ads and banners on third-party websites; set up email newsletters and RSS feeds. Do whatever it takes to let the world know that you’re open and ready for business