Start Online Business- Build an eCommerce Store using eCommerce Platform

Following are the steps to build your own online store in 2020:


Step 1: Select a Suitable Ecommerce Solution

If you want to launch your online business at the earliest, choose an eCommerce platform that allows you to set up an online store with no technical skills or coding knowledge.
Simply put, pick an eCommerce solution that doesn't require any understanding of coding to start an online store. 
With very less knowledge of coding, you should be able to operate and sell products through the eCommerce platform. There are website builders that will allow you to create beautiful web pages in seconds with drag and drop functionality.

  • Finalize a Cloud-based Platform

When you choose a cloud-based eCommerce solution, all you need is an Internet connection and a laptop to operate your online business.
One of the most important benefits of a cloud platform is that it saves a lot of time and money to build an eCommerce store. It completely eliminates the hassles of running an online business.
With cloud-based solutions, you only have to rent IT infrastructure that includes server space and other networking devices. You don't have to invest in your own storage devices to run your eCommerce business.
Cloud eCommerce will allow you to start your online business with minimum investment.

  • Features to Look for

An eCommerce platform needs to have certain features that will help to grow your business. For instance, the ability to integrate with a variety of sales channels is important in order to increase your business.
If you decide to start an office supply store online, you simply cannot depend on your website alone to boost business. It is important to implement a multi-channel selling approach and this can happen only if your eCommerce platform has the capability to integrate with marketplaces and social media platforms.
Marketplaces like Amazon and social media platforms like Facebook command enormous popularity. Your eCommerce platform should have built-in integrations with these sales channels. This will help you to tap the massive potential of these sales channels, reach more number of customers and raise your profits.
The ability to send abandoned cart emails is another feature that can help you to recover money from lost sales. With this feature, an automated email is triggered to customers who have left your site without completing the purchase.
Also, the eCommerce platform should offer a free SSL certificate that assures the authenticity of your website.

Step 2: Pick the Perfect Domain Name for your Online Store

The domain name that you choose should be credible, short, meaningful and free from dashes and numbers. If possible add a keyword to your domain name.
Whatever domain name you pick to Set up an eCommerce store, make sure it matches with your business name and instantly connects with your visitors. For instance, if you are selling office supplies then officesupply.com as a domain name is a very good choice.

Step 3: Choose your Ecommerce Theme

Also referred to as eCommerce template, the theme that you choose for your store can play a critical role in the success of your online business.
There are eCommerce platforms that come with a wide range of free customizable eCommerce templates.
Make sure the eCommerce templates you choose allows you to create a responsive store so that it can be accessed and viewed easily from any mobile device.
Most importantly, you need to choose one that 100% suits your industry type. Make sure the color scheme, text size, and font, product images, etc., are customized as per individual business needs.

Step 4: Add your Products

You need to have in-depth information about the products that you will be selling online. You can use Excel sheet to store product information that includes product name, price, description, category, length/height/weight, etc.
Most eCommerce platforms allow you to upload product data in Excel sheet format through admin panel. Ensure that your product information includes technical specifications and product benefits.
As far as product images are concerned, consider hiring a professional photographer or strike partnership with rich content providers like Etilize and IceCat.

Step 5: Decide your Payment Methods

The eCommerce platform you choose should support a range of payment methods. When you provide different payment options to your online shoppers, it can have a positive impact on sales.
To connect your eCommerce platform to different payment gateways like PayPal, Stripe, etc. This will allow your consumers to make online payments using credit and debit cards. Payment gateways help online shoppers to conveniently buy from your store.
Apart from other payment gateways, consider other payment options such as mobile wallets, cash on delivery, etc. If you want to do business with B2B customers, you need to offer payment options such as company checks.

Set 6: Setup your Shipping Options

Depending upon your requirements, make a partnership with shipping companies that are capable of delivering products to the desired locations.
In any eCommerce business, the speed of product delivery plays a very important role in the success of any website. So do extensive research and connect with the right shipping carriers that are reliable and dependable.
FedEx, UPS, USPS, etc., are some of the popular shipping companies in the United States that have a proven track of delivering products on time.

Step 7: Test your Website

Test your website thoroughly and ensure that its features and functionalities are working as expected. Preview your web pages on different browsers and mobile devices and check for store content, load time, latency, etc.