If you’ve decided to set up an online business, knowing how to sell online is key. There are plenty of things to think about before you take the plunge in selling online, and getting it right is essential to ensuring your business thrives in the long term.
Online shopping has never been more popular and, here in the UK, we have the third largest Ecommerce market in the world. In fact, the International Trade Administration reports that in 2022 consumer online sales increased by 36%.
That’s a huge, and growing, market ready for you to tap into.
Research
One of the most important things to consider when wondering how to sell online successfully is to ensure you have undertaken adequate research before you begin. This involves researching your market to confirm that there is a viable gap that your new business can fill, in addition to researching your target audience and their buying behaviours.
These days, it is hard to find a product or service out there that does not already exist, so knowing how to sell online involves differentiating yourself from your competitors. Research what your rivals have to offer and provide something that is different from them.
Before you even begin selling online, make sure that what you have to offer is really something that people want. Time spent on research will pay dividends in shaping your proposition.
Website
Few businesses can prosper these days without a website and when working out how to sell online, getting a website up and running should be your number one priority.
When it comes to website design, take into account factors such as responsive design, security, search engine optimisation (SEO) and style. Your website should not only look attractive, but it should be easy to navigate, with the best possible user experience designed into it from the outset. You can build your own website with our easy-to-use website builder or if you’re not into DIY our Build Me A Website team can do it for you.
Another possibility is to use WordPress, the world’s most popular website software. Not only is it highly customisable, but it also comes with a heap of plugins designed specifically to make it easy to sell online. Our recommendation is WooCommerce, due to the sheer wealth of options it offers and its general ease-of-use, but there is nothing to stop you trying some of the others until you find one which works best for you.
However you set up your website and business, always be sure to follow any relevant industry regulations. It’s also a good idea to join any suitable industry bodies in order to lend your brand some additional credibility.
Promotion
In determining how to sell online, you will soon realise that a decent website is not enough to get sales flooding in. You need to promote your site so that audiences get to know about it. Successful online selling involves choosing promotional channels that will directly target your audiences, whether that be through specific social media channels or advertising on sites that your target groups use.
Once you have traffic to your website, keep your audience engaged with your brand by giving them reasons to return and make repeat purchases. Posting blog content is a great way to retain interest and will serve to boost ongoing engagement and to establish you as an authority within your niche.
Be adaptable
It is essential that you take a flexible approach. Nothing stands still, whether that involves consumer purchasing behaviours, competition or market conditions, so it is important that you change and adapt accordingly. Be aware of what is happening in the industry and speak to customers to garner feedback, so that you don’t miss any opportunities to refine your products or services for the better.
Summary
Moving your business online can be a huge undertaking but if you take it slow and steady, covering all the points we’ve mentioned in this article, you should get off to a flying start. You’ll bring your product/service to a wider audience, you’ll create much greater awareness of your business and, over time, your sales should start to increase.
We wish you the very best of luck!
