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 key to ensuring your business thrives for the long term.
According to recent research by An Post, 95% of Irish adults shopped online in 2023, so if you’re not yet offering your products or services online then you could be missing out on a huge untapped market.
But before jumping straight in, it’s important to plan a smooth transition into the Ecommerce market. With a little preparation, you could soon be reaping the well deserved benefits.
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 differentiated 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 option is WordPress, used by a staggering 43% of websites worldwide according to W3Techs. It offers a great selection of plugins that are specifically designed to make it as easy as possible to sell online. Our own personal favourite is WooCommerce, due to its lack of limits and ease-of-use, but it’s worth looking into some of the others as well, as they may be more suitable to your specific requirements.
However you create your website and business, it’s important to ensure that you 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.
Setting up an online business can be challenging but, ultimately, could become very rewarding. If you take it slow and steady, following the pointers we’ve suggested here, you should get off to a great start. You’ll build a solid foundation on which to grow from and, before too long, you should be reaching new markets, attracting new customers and growing your brand.
We wish you the very best of luck!
