How to Build an Online Store
Have you always wanted your own online store, but have no idea where to begin the process? This is a common problem, many would be entrepreneurs never take a chance because they do not know what their options are. If you are ready to begin creating multiple income streams, here are a few things you should keep in mind.
Web Building Tools
There are tons of free web building tools on the internet today; the only problem is you must deal with the hosts advertising in the process. This can give a web page or web site an unprofessional look. Besides, who wants to work their fingers to the bone creating an online store and driving traffic to that store only to let someone else cash in on your efforts?
WordPress is probably the simplest web building tool on the market today and there are a slew of plugins that will make building an online store easy as pie. That being said, if you have no computer skills whatsoever, you might want to consider paying someone else to build your site for you.
Other options
Do you have to build a site to have an online store? Not exactly! You can partner with popular websites such as eBay and Amazon and create your own online business. Your store will actually be a part of the bigger picture, however there is good money to be made from either of these options. As a rule you do not have to have any upfront money to get started selling on either of these sites. You should spend some time familiarizing yourself with the process and the pitfalls of either however.
Products
One sticking point for a number of people is where to get products. After all, there are only so many baseball cards and such in the attic and at some point you will want to provide various products. This is where a relationship with a good drop shipper comes in handy. There are a number of companies that provide a large database of legitimate pre-screened dropshippers and wholesale suppliers which will significantly reduce the risk of getting ripped off. Take a look at the wholesale directory services provided by SaleHoo or Worldwide Brands, two of the best companies out there.
Traffic
Once you have decided whether you are going to build your own store or piggy back off of services provided by the likes of eBay and Amazon, and have chosen the products to promote in your online store, you will need to learn a bit about search engine optimization. This is the practice of creating website content that will put your business on the front page of search results for a specific term or set of phrases. There are two main categories of SEO – on page SEO and off page SEO. There are plenty of free websites out there that can tech you the basics of on page and off page SEO – just type search engine optimisation into google to begin your research.
Customer Service
Building an online store is only half the battle; if you want to be successful, customer service is paramount. When you are dealing with a drop shipping company, much of this is on their shoulders so be sure you are dealing with a reputable company. SaleHoo is a well-recognized company listed with the Better Business Bureau, for example. Poor quality products, late deliveries and poor packaging will end your online store endeavors in a heartbeat!
Conclusion
Building an online store yourself is not difficult, but it can be tedious and time consuming. There are many things to consider and decisions to be made. Luckily, there is an easier way. If you use a service like SaleHoo Stores, your store could be up and running in minutes, allowing you to spend more time on sales and marketing and growing your online business. There are a number of SaleHoo Stores Review sites that can help you decide if the product is right for you.
Remember, many people are enjoying enormous success by selling wholesale products over the internet. Why wait any longer? Start your online store today!