Google
 

Tuesday, March 13, 2012

How to Start an Online Business: The Easier Way

How to Start an Online Business: The Easier Way

Having a small business online alongside a full-time job may seem an answer to the ever growing economic mess today. It seems to be an irony but you see, there are over 900 millions of
people today who are purchasing at least a single item online each and every day. With that amount of people going online for shopping makes having a business online or indulging in ecommerce seem pretty neat.
How can you start an online business?
First you have to have a Product or a Service you can provide
If you have an existing business offline, it is a good way to start that same business online as you already have expertise in the niche. However, if you are still starting, you can go and check out for the trending topics, products, and services today and start using a single niche. Having a niche gives you focus on what you want to sell and makes you come up with great ways on how to sell them. If you find it difficult to get your own unique products for selling, you can also start with affiliate marketing and make money for being able to sell others' products and services.

Get a place online to sell your products and services.
Some people say, you do not need to create ecommerce website for you to sell online. Yes, that can be true, but most online shoppers today are looking for credibility from online dealers and providers when they decide to purchase for security reasons. Getting your own ecommerce website is fairly simple. You only need to get a domain name which is relevant to your small business niche and a stable web hosting with a very low number of downtown issues (read for feedback). Hire a professional web designer or make your own website online using website builders with a drag and drop user-ability which makes you create a website in minutes.
Include a Shopping Cart
An online shopping cart serves the same function as a grocery's shopping cart. Users are able to shop online and add a product to cart then continue shopping-and when done, they can always proceed to the checkout counter for payment of goods. Be conscious as how you place your shopping cart in your website. Always get shopping carts that provide information as to how many items are placed in the cart, how much is its subtotal, and a checkout link.
Payment Options
You may have the best quality of product and services, however, you only provide one kind of payment option for your customers and that is cash payments. How will you be able to reach customers that are more comfortable in paying through credit card, PayPal, and check deposits? For you to be able to open your business to different paying customers, you need to open a merchant account. Ask your bank or go to PayPal to fix such kind of services. Do not forget to place the necessary security logos and accreditation logos to make your website a more trustworthy one.
Provide a Customer Support Ticketing System and Your Contact Details
Letting your customers know that you can be reached through phone, mobile, email, and your physical address makes them more comfortable to shop online. Also, providing a customer support service that responds quickly to inquiries is also a plus factor.
Go Social!
Social media websites are already out there, so sign up for one and spread the word about your business. Cracking up a blog or an interesting tweet and post with an accompanying image or video about your products and services can lure traffic and increase your website sales as well.
Glen is a part of the NetIdnow team that helps individuals and businesses alike on how to create ecommerce website using WebStudio Website Builder--an online shopping cart and website builder that allows people to make a website with or without HTML skills. Glen also enjoys sharing valuable information on SEO and Web Design

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/6926981

No comments:

SEND ME YOUR THOUGHTS

Name:
Email Address:

free forms