I’ve done so much online shopping over the past few months, y’all. In my defense, there’s not much else to do now that I’m stuck at home. The other day I kept thinking about how much money these online businesses are making right now. The profits were so intriguing that I decided to ask a friend who owns an online company for some advice on how to start my own. Here are the tips for running an online store that my girlfriend shared with me.
Find Your Niche
The first thing my gal pal told me about starting an online store is that I have to figure out what makes me unique. She told me to narrow down a product and a target customer base before I did anything else. We shared a laugh about how many online candle stores exist, and she suggested that I not add my name to an already expansive pool. Instead, she encouraged me to do some research and find a field where my talents can shine—but one that’s also underrepresented in the online market.
Packaging Matters
My friend pointed out something that hadn’t crossed my mind about running an online store: packaging matters. She said lots of people who run online shops neglect the packaging and spend money on other things. Yet, there are so many benefits of using custom packaging that folks don’t realize. For starters, customized packaging ensures durability during delivery. When packages arrive safely, people are more likely to continuously buy from that store. Also, customized packaging allows internet-based shops to market in a unique way.
Social Media is Your Friend
Another tip for running an online store that my friend shared with me is to use social media to your advantage. Online businesses have to be creative to get customers to visit their sites. This means paying for ads on social media platforms. If someone sees an ad for your store when scrolling through their feed, they’re more likely to click on it and take a look at your products. Investing in these types of advertisements may increase your revenues, y’all.
