7 Guidelines To Consider When Starting An eCommerce Business

by Tallya Rabinovich, CEO of IzzoNet

So you’re thinking of launching an eCommerce store, whether it’s to turn a hobby into an additional income, to take your ‘bricks and mortar’ business online, or perhaps you’re ready to launch a new full-time venture in cyber space.

Like any new business, setting up an eCommerce store involves an abundance of research, strategy, planning and business savvy. Then, once your store is up-and-running, there is much to consider for ongoing operations, customer service, marketing (including SEO), expansion and more.

Here are 7 important guidelines to consider when starting your own e-commerce business:

1. Research.

For products you love, relate to and wish to sell; Competition – what are your chances of succeeding in that market; Suppliers – can you find that product for a good price and from a reliable supplier.

2. Time investment.

For your own eCommerce business to be successful, time is your biggest investment. The more time you put in to your business, the greater the chances are of succeeding. However, an eCommerce business can also benefit you if you only invest a short amount of hours in it, as long as your time is being spent effectively.

3. Find a platform that is attentive to your needs.

An attentive and passionate customer support team can save you loads of time.

4. Reliable source of information.

Ensure that you have where to retrieve information when in need. While running a business, store owners tend to encounter unpredicted challenges. It’s important that once you face a challenge, you have a knowledge base filled with information that helps you overcome it.

5. It’s OK to dream.

Convey your dreams through your store design. Technology today barely limits your design aspiration. When choosing a store design template, let loose, but also ensure that it corresponds to your products.

6. Strategies to generate traffic.

Once their store is up and running, owners must start attracting customers to their businesses. Therefore, the platform you choose to work with has to have suitable marketing tools (Facebook Store, eBay & Amazon Integration, Price Comparison sites integration, Coupon Distribution, etc.)

7. Analyze and Optimize.

For a business to grow, its weaknesses must be translated into strengths. Future store owners should guarantee their business has the tools and integration capabilities for a thorough analysis of their operation. Thereafter, adjust and optimize their actions consequently.

Tallya Rabinovich is CEO of IzzoNet, an e-commerce platform launched in May 2011 that platform enables anyone (including those without technical expertise in web design or e-commerce) to create a successful online store within a matter of minutes. Furthermore they offer a premier support facility, user friendly maintenance management, and are currently finalizing an e-commerce education system.