Many traditional businesses don’t see numerous advantages of moving business online. However, it’s one of the most effective measures to scale your business, step out of the local market, and attract new customers worldwide. It means increasing the revenues and the company will be open 24/7. Also, it reduces costs on storage spaces, provides faster delivery, and better customer support. In this article, we will focus on steps to set up an online business.
Why do you need it and how to put your business online?
Some business owners may think that moving your business online is very complicated, requires serious investments, and hiring a software development team. In reality, it highly depends on your goals and business sphere. However, if your business is not online, you make it more difficult for potential clients to find you. For example, if you are selling handmade jewelry, you don’t really need a website, Facebook or Instagram can be the best variant. Also, you may find customers through the marketplace, it’s a low-cost business model, you just need to choose a large marketplace (e.g. eBay or Amazon). Moreover, Evercode Lab proposes a solution for companies that want to organize remote work instead of paying for rent and office equipment.
However, if you want to build your own brand image, make it visible and recognizable, creating a website will boost your business. In this digital era, so many entrepreneurs ask how do I advertise my business online, thinking that it means only creating a website. However, it requires multiple promotion channels, SEO, and comprehensive market research. To avoid mistakes, define your initial data (customer base, budget, timeframe).
Stages of moving business online:
1. Define your competitors
It will help you to understand the potential limits of your niche. Keep track of your competitors and start with the main ones (e.g. if you want to launch a marketplace, focus on Amazon, eBay, Aliexpress, etc.), identify also the secondary competitors that may have the same products but different target audience. Focus on the following aspects of their business: marketing, pricing strategy, delivery service, customer experience, reviews, and social media.
2. Create a website
There are multiple ways how to create a website in order to get your business online but nowadays people without any coding skills could easily do it with automated builders and free templates from platforms like Wix, WordPress, or Squarespace. In this case, you still have to pay for hosting, themes, and plugins.
Content management system
CMS software is extremely necessary if you don’t want to hire a developer every time you need to modify your website (e.g. contact information).
SaaS
SaaS (software as a service) helps to automate business processes and saves your recourses. Necessary not only for business giants but for medium and small companies to increase productivity.
Landing pages constructor
A landing page is a page on your website that is used to convert visitors into leads and they are specifically designed for a marketing campaign.
Marketplace
Using a marketplace as a business platform will guarantee stable income and low risks. It will provide you with a new promotion channel without creating a website or a physical store. The only disadvantage is that you need to pay a fee for selling.
Custom-made website
Buy a domain and hosting on GoDaddy, HostGator, or Dreamhost. The next step is a Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) certificate that protects your data and users. Choose a design and add content. The most expensive part includes front-end and back-end development, also you may need a database, plugins, apps, external tools, maintenance, etc. This option is necessary if you have an established company and want to take it to the next level.
3. Choose the promotion channels
Email: start with existing customers and keep it informational.
Social media: Create and promote accounts on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest, LinkedIn, etc.
Search engines: Though it takes time, start using SEO as soon as possible.
Choosing the right channel depends on your objectives (increasing sales, introducing a new product), also you should understand where your target audience spends more time.
We provided detailed instruction on how to take your business online, though everything depends on your goals, business sphere, and budget. Evercode Lab has created a platform that transfers an business online. Our company can offer a different kind of business software based on your requirements. If you have any questions left, please fill out the form below for a free consultation.
