7-Steps Guide To Launch Your eCommerce Business To Online Store in 2024

With COVID-19 as a headwind to e-commerce store traffic, retailers and entrepreneurs have stepped up their strategy as a digital omni-always. Since we know omnichannel is the future of eCommerce brick-and-mortar store owners and retailers need to make the right investments in 2023. 

Advantages of Transition From Physical Store To Online Store

In this time of uncertainty, businesses of all sizes are working to adapt quickly to a changing economy and infrastructure. There are various advantages to taking your store online in both – the short and long term. For the short term, the advantage of Transition From Physical Store To Online Store is that you’ll still be able to generate sales under the current uncertain pandemics and mandated business closures. It’s broader than being local. With an internet connection, you are exposed to a wider audience from anywhere, which means you can sell on a local, national, or even global scale. 

And on a longer-term basis, you can take advantage of what’s known as Omni-channel e-tail (online retail). Diversifying your business now is an intelligent decision. Setting up and managing an online store doesn’t need to be bothering — with many tools and features, this is easy. You can have your online store open for business as early as now by following these 7 guidelines by us, we bet! 

How to Transition From Brick-And-Mortar to an Online Store

To take your store/business online, there are several big decisions you need to make and factors to consider. 

1. Platform to host

Most web hosting services have an eCommerce plugin that you can add to the existing site. If the eCommerce plugin connects to your point of sale system, starting your online store may be even easier.

2. Online Inventory

You’ll need to decide which products from your brick-and-mortar store will be sold online. You might find that some of your in-store inventory wouldn’t make as much sense to sell online.

3. Marketing Efforts

Marketing efforts need to be more dynamic. Add features like click-and-posts. Start email marketing for your online store. 

This post will guide you through the process of moving your store with a secure plan in place. 

7-Step Guide To Take Your Brick-and-Mortar to Online Store in 2024

Step 1: Create a plan 

Create a plan of action to serve as your roadmap for your online journey. Include packaging supplies if you’ll be shipping yourself, dividing workload, high-quality photos of products, and a timeline of when to go live.  

Step 2: Appropriate platform/theme

Once your website is ready, it’s time to make a shoutout. Declare your chosen e-commerce platform. Choosing the self-hosted way means that you are in charge and you can customize your e-store. You can also opt for an eCommerce website development agency and get things done quickly with professionals. 

Step 3: Draft Marketing Strategy

Drafting a marketing strategy for your online store may require a shift in thinking. Start with your overall goals, so you have a clear picture of what you’d like to accomplish.

And, it’s time to think about your target audience. Select a marketing channel – Where you’ll most likely come across them. 

Step 4: Financial planning 

Sum up the costs – monthly advertising, shipping, and packaging, monthly eCommerce subscription/fees, etc. You can boost your social media presence to maximize free exposure. 

Step 5: Product management 

If you’ve got a wide selection of products, we recommend narrowing your inventory down to just best-selling items. This way you can cater to a wider consumer base and not waste time or energy on products that aren’t going to make you much profit anyway. You can also leverage a third-party service that would warehouse, pack, and drop ship online orders directly to your customers on your behalf.

Step 6: Website Design 

Uniqueness is extremely important when it comes to creating a functional and attractive e-store. There are some free themes to begin with but they may not cut the sales and popularity you expect in terms of conversions. We have a range of stunning templates, themes, and app screens that are designed exclusively to cater to the modern e-commerce retail business. Also, owning a mobile-friendly e-store today is not only a good idea, it’s a must indeed. 

1.  ProShop Multi-Vendor WooCommerce – E-commerce Android Full Mobile App + kotlin

2.  WooBox – WooCommerce Flutter E-commerce Full Mobile App

3.  Shophop – eCommerce App UI Templates Android Kotlin

Step 7: Website Security 

Security is at the top of your customers’ list when it comes to shopping from an online store. SSL certificates are one of the first and most important security factors. Ensure you get one on your site. 

Conclusion:  

Certainly, with the tremendous advantages of moving your Brick-And-Mortar to an Online Store, it’s the perfect time to take the transition. Having an online website for your business will profit you both now and in the future.