How to Digitalize Your Product and Sell Online in 5 Easy Steps

1. Pick Products to Sell

Deciding what to sell is the most important step to begin selling online. Research a broad niche and narrow it down to a particular area. Choosing a smaller niche helps reduce competition and is more manageable to excel.

For example, you opt for pet owners as your target market. In terms of pets’ needs, there is a lot to be considered though. Then you start to think about unique needs, preferences, or identity that makes it different from the market at large. Now, you chose to sell organic pet foods and treats to narrow your niche. This results in a more focused business.

While choosing a niche, choose the types of products that interest you. Pick an industry that you are interested with and passionate about. Starting a business and building your own brand is a lot more rewarding.

Things to consider are:

• Look for possible product suppliers
• Decide if you make the product by yourself
• Will you buy your inventory from a wholesaler?
• Do you consider drop shipping of you products?

This checklist helps create a possible business plan.

2. Get Your Domain Name

A domain name is your website address that customers can access to browse and buy your product(s) online. Choose a domain that reflects your niche or product.

Having a good domain name when creating an ecommerce website is one of the most important business decisions you can make. Your domain name affects your branding, visibility, search rankings, and more. Your domain name can do a lot to make your shop or store more memorable and exciting.

A domain name should:

• Be relevant and memorable
• Include keywords related to products
• Be easy to say and read

Choose your business name and domain name prudently. A bad domain name can make your site hard to find and a good domain name can do the exact opposite, i.e., firmly establishing your brand in the minds of online shoppers everywhere. This is why it’s so important that you choose the right domain name for your business.

3. Build Your Online Store

A lot of business owners are afraid to go online with a website since they have no background with technical knowledge. But nowadays, you can create beautiful website without writing a code. With an eCommerce solution that is ready to go, you can focus even more on other areas of your business.

It is important to choose the right platform that has the ability to add products, multiple checkout options, product customization and more tools needed with eCommerce.

Other things to look for:

• A good user interface
• Helpful features
• Creative design
• Offers support and customer service
• Affordable pricing

Now that you have an idea for choosing a great ecommerce platform, start building your own website!

4. Select Shipping Methods

Having a customer online demands credible, fast order shipping. Offering free shipping is very popular with online stores, but you need to factor in the cost. Around 74% of shoppers rate free shipping as their choice upon checkout.

Itemize the possible shipping cost factors, such as:

• Package dimensions
• Package weight
• Shipping destination

Let’s check the Shipping cost calculators for 3 popular shipping carriers.

Each carrier takes many of the above factors into account to offer different shipping pricing models and shipping methods. Here are the pricing models and calculators for 3 of the major US carriers that offer shipping services: USPS, FedEx, and UPS.

I. USPS shipping rates and shipping calculator

To calculate USPS shipping costs, use this price calculator.

II. FedEx pricing and shipping calculator

To calculate FedEx shipping rates, use their Rate Finder tool.

III. UPS pricing and shipping calculator

For the most accurate UPS pricing estimates, check out their shipping calculator.

5. Market Your Online Store

Start marketing your online store right away and promote your business.

Social media platforms like Facebook are a great way to support your online marketing strategy with your new online shop website. It is a good medium to communicate with your customers directly, get some feedback, and start creating your community.

But this is not limited to Facebook; there are different approaches to engage with, and oftentimes it is exciting to mix and match these strategies. You can use email newsletters, search engine optimization, and paid advertising.

In summary:

• Facebook – You can create a Facebook Business Page and add posts and images about your company. Put some links back to your website and regularly create engagement.
• Email Newsletter – Emails should be sent regularly to promote upcoming products, sales, and promotions. Your newsletter should be interesting and exciting but not too often in sending to avoid spamming their inboxes.
• Boost Your SEO – This will help new customers to discover your online business through Google Search and other search engines.

That is it! Now you have your online store that will help your business become more competitive.