Before we get started let’s just take a breather and acknowledge that it’s ok. It’s absolutely fine to be running a business in the year 2020 and still feel daunted at the prospect of running an eCommerce store. Nobody’s going to be canceled, and we’re not here to tech-shame anyone. In fact, by the end of this article, we want to help you feel completely capable and empowered to run your eCommerce store like the boss you are.

Because it’s really not that difficult as long as you know the resources out there to help you. We’ll run through the top eCommerce platforms out there, so you know where to get started.

This article is aimed at people who already have a business name and products. If you’re completely starting from scratch, check out Shopify’s expert advice for entrepreneurs looking to find their niche.

Find a domain

Ideally, this step is simple. You head to a domain service provider’s website such as ionos.com, godaddy.com or bluehost.com and search to see if [yourbusinessname].com is available. If some jammy individual has already taken the .com domain, don’t you fret. You’ll just need to get a little creative.

Let’s say your brand is called Jones, and you sell stationery. Jones.com is taken, so you could opt for:

Jon.es (using the Spanish Top Level Domain .es)
Jones.co
JonesStationery.com
JonesOfficeSupplies.com (using a related keyword)
JonesLtd.com
JonesCo.com

Ultimately if you want your customers to find you, it’s most important that your brand name and what you sell can be easily found on Google.

Once you’ve found a domain that fits, don’t buy it just yet! Some of the top eCommerce platforms offer free domains as part of their subscription service. Wait until you find which eCommerce platform you’re going to use first.

Setting up your store: Top 3 eCommerce platforms for your online store

1. Shopify

  • Easy to set up and keep track of stock
  • High-speed load times
  • Easy, fixed-pricing system
  • 1 click checkout
  • Excellent 24/7 customer service

2. Woocommerce

  • Highly customizable with the help of a WordPress developer
  • 1 click checkout
  • Very secure
  • Simple to optimize for search engines (SEO)
  • Prices start from $0… that’s right, zilch, not a dime. But you will need a WordPress developer to help you.

3. Squarespace

  • Excellent customer service
  • Simple to optimize for search engines (SEO)
  • Very easy to customize with a drag and drop design tool.

4. Wix

  • Highly customizable with easy drag and drop design tool
  • Easy to set up and keep track of stock

All three of these options will help guide you through the process of setting up your own store.

If you’d like a more in-depth comparison between eCommerce platforms, check out our articles WooCommerce vs. Shopify: Which Platform Wins Out? and Design Your Own Website For Free.

Sidenote: When uploading your products, make sure you upload multiple photographs from different angles and clear a product description (including care instructions) for each item.

shipping costs in ecommerce websites

Shipping and Fulfillment

Before you launch and market your site, make sure you have a scalable shipping and fulfillment plan in place.

Ever had a package show up late? The packaging dirty and bashed around? How does that affect the likelihood of you buying that product again?

The reputation of your brand and your ability to meet your customers’ needs is also in the hands of the shipping company you choose. Though it may be tempting to choose the shipping company with the best deals, it may end up costing you, customers.

You also need to consider if the shipping costs you advertise on your website will be offputting to your customers. Unexpected costs are the reason 56% of eCommerce shoppers abandon their carts.

You really have 3 main options:

  • Flat rate – If you have a fairly even range of products that all have roughly similar dimensions and require similar packaging, you can opt for a flat rate across all your products.
  • Free shipping – You can calculate your shipping costs for each product and include them in the product prices, or absorb the shipping costs by cutting into your margins. Just make sure that it’s profitable for you.
  • Real-time shipping rates – All of the top eCommerce platforms listed above offer real-time rates for various major shipping companies like USPS, DHL, and FedEx allowing your customers to choose the carrier, and pay the price they want.

Whatever option you choose, make sure that you do everything you can on your end to provide a timely and trustworthy service. Package your products appropriately, inform your customers when their order has been shipped, and send over tracking information.

Sidenote: make sure that you also have a returns policy clearly described in your Ts&Cs. In the event a product needs to be returned, will you take responsibility for the shipping costs? Make sure to provide clear details before purchase.

Post Launch Marketing

Once you have a beautiful, custom eCommerce website, you’ll want to share it with the world. Sadly, the chance of anyone happening on your website by chance is slim to none. All that means is that the success of your website is completely in your hands. If you’re doing more than your main competitors, then your online store will reap the benefits.

Here are some key phrases in online marketing that are relevant in 2020 that you’ll need to familiarize yourself with:

But we’re getting ahead of ourselves. For now, focus on building a website that you’ll be proud to share with the world. If you need help at any point along the way, we’re here for you with tips to inspire and inform you. If you’d like to hire us to build and maintain a custom website, or just to guide you through the process, get in touch and we’ll be happy to help you.