The top companies in the world have one thing in common – they all operate via the internet. No wonder commerce today has evolved so much that just in a span of a few years, most have made significant changes to their company structure to adapt to the needs of the digital market. Without a doubt, digital is the inevitable direction of business and for any beginner entrepreneurs looking to forward their endeavors, going online is imperative.
Good thing it does not really take much to setup your own social media presence, or start your own retail store. Many successful businesses has flourished since they first established their stores in the web. Amazon is perhaps the biggest example. Tech titan Jeff Bezos originally started the site selling books. Today, the company is worth billions.
If you are one of the many who are looking to start your own business online, here’s a quick guide of the steps you are to follow to successfully set up store.
Get a domain.
Choose your domain name and get it registered.
Choosing the domain name does not need to be complicated. Most retailers simply use their business name or company name as their domain names. This way, it’s easier for their customers to remember. It also avoids confusion.
A common problem encountered when registering domain names is finding out that your preferred name is already taken. In such case, most entrepreneurs just put the nature of the business (e.g. bubblewraplaundryservices.com instead of bubblewrap.com) to get around the problem while retaining their preferred branding.
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Choose a web hosting service
Popular sites as GoDaddy and iPage are great places to look for hosting services. Your web host makes it possible for your website to appear on the internet. Different hosting sites offer different bundles that cater to different needs. For example, you might want to ensure you have enough storage, or you may prefer stronger bandwidth. Maybe you want to add other services such as an email attached to your site address? Shop around and look for bundles that best answer to what you need.
If you don’t have a domain name registered yet, you can also register via web hosting sites.
Check out this list if you have questions about domain hosting.
Select software and payment processor
Your software determines the ease in use and management of your site. Your platform must be effective for the intended purpose. Given that you want to open an e-commerce website, it is imperative that you select one that provides shopping cart functionality, as well as a payment option that would make secure online financial transactions possible.
Design a smart website
No, it’s not enough that your site is just attractive. It should have the overall design dedicated to keeping customers as long and as smoothly as possible through your site. Features should be easily visible, button should all be functional, links should lead to where they need to, and it should have engaging content and visuals.
Sites such as Wix offer all-in-one website building services – including domain name purchase, registration, and easy design. These sites are especially helpful when you want your site to be professional but don’t have the resources to hire your own designer. Still, if you want fully customized services, hiring one is a good investment.
