According to Statista, more than 2.14 billion people around the world are expected to purchase online goods and services in 2021, and online global sales are forecasted to reach 22% of all retail sales in 2023.
Guide to Starting an Ecommerce Business in 2021
Looking further forward, according to Nasdaq, by 2040, 95% of all retail purchases are expected to be made online. So, it would seem like there has never been a better time to begin an e-commerce business.
However, with traditional retail continually moving online, it means competition is fierce. So, you need to consider various things before you start an eCommerce business.
Will you sell your products directly to customers or use a dropshipping business model?
One of the first things you need to decide on is your e-commerce business model. You can either buy wholesale products, store them in storage facilities, and handle the shipping to customers directly, or you can use the dropshipping method in which a supplier handles all of the order fulfillment and shipping tasks.
The latter method is popular because you don’t need to store goods and you only pay for products from the supplier once they have been purchased by customers at your online store.
Dropshipping automation software also makes it simple to automate all of your dropshipping tasks, including finding the best suppliers with the lowest costs for specific products.
What goods will you sell?
Your next top priority is to consider which products you’re going to sell at your online store. Choosing the right goods at the right price point can make or break your business.
It’s best, to begin with, a few select products that are centered around a particular niche. That will help you to attract customers who are actively searching for your type of products and allow you to stand out from the competition.
Niche products include things like travel gadgets, swimming gear, comic book merchandise, and hiking equipment. As your store grows, you can add new lines of products.
But as a startup, you need to start small with the right niche products that are unavailable from large and established retailers.
Effective Marketing Is Crucial
Regardless of the type of e-commerce business model you use and the type of products you select to sell, your venture won’t be successful unless you have a strong and effective marketing strategy.
Begin by identifying your target market. Is your audience made up of teenagers or seniors? Are your products more likely to be purchased by men or women? Is your audience made up of impulsive buyers?
By answering such questions, you can come up with detailed demographics. You can then analyze your audience demographics to determine the best type of marketing strategy.
For example, if your audience is made up of younger people, you can choose a relevant social media platform to advertise on. Knowing your target audience also allows you to come up with relevant keywords for Search Engine Optimization.
Selecting the Right Ecommerce Platform Is Vital
You have the option of building a website and opening an online store on that site. But you’ll achieve sales quicker if you go with an already-established e-commerce platform, such as Shopify or Magento.
There are lots of different e-commerce platforms available, so spend some time comparing each one to understand the costs involved and which ones have the features that can benefit your business the most.
Some platforms will also be better for certain kinds of products than others. Choose a platform that best showcases your goods and improves user experience.
The best e-commerce sites also have an extensive range of plug-ins, add-ons, and apps to help you drive your online store forward and generate more sales.
By carefully considering the above elements, you’ll be in a better place to decide whether you should start an eCommerce business in 2021.
