How do I Start an Ecommerce Store?
Like most typical people, I wanted an additional source of income.
I had considered a second part time job at events, but I hated the fact that it would take me away from my family, make me further drained and likely merely pay minimum wage.
I needed to have the flexibility to work from home.
After surfing the online for years, I usually came across the idea of getting into the “internet revolution”, but I never got into it.
Eventually, I decided to give it a try.
First, what's ecommerce? The online world designates web sites devoted to retail product sales as an e-commerce web site.
Today, about anyone in the world with a credit card can have an E-commerce website within minutes, and for as little as 25 usd if they are willing to learn how to setup things and upload the products.
All that is required is the willingness to learn a few points, a bit of endurance, and to make use of yourself.
How? I am glad you ask.
Let's begin. We first need to debate the basics parts you want.
1. Computer
2. Internet connection
3. CMS/Ecommerce program
4. Graphics Software
5. Internet hosting
7. Payment gateway
The above parts are needed to start an ecommerce website.
However, there are totally different parts that have to be considered for product sourcing and product delivery.
Everything is pretty straightforward, setting up the CMS software allows the any beginner to assemble a website without understanding HTML/CSS/PHP/AJAX code.
For CMS: These are the top 5 ecommerce solutions (relatively easy to manage)
- Wordpress > Woocommerce (plugin)
- Joomla > Hikashop (component)
- Opencart
- Shopify
- Magento
Next you want some graphic program such as Adobe Photoshop or a free one like pixler.com. It allows you manipulate the size of images, improve the quality, crop it, etc.
Web hosting is crucial and it's recommended to look for quality not lowest price.
The web host company rents room on their server (aka. computer) for your internet website.
Recommended (2017): Hostgator, BlueHost, Site5, 1&1
NOT recommended: Godaddy
The “Payment Gateway” must be linked to your site:
- Paypal
- 2checkout
- Bank account
- Credit Card
- and so on.
In 2017, SSL or “http protocol” is almost mandatory these days in order to protect buyers information. It basically allows to encrypt the information exchanges within them and your website.
Now, How are you going to advertise?
Ecommerce Marketing
You cannot merely assemble an Ecommerce website and look forward to individuals to come back.
You should market your web page as successfully.
SEM: Search Engine Marketing
This requires including hyperlinks of your website to others websites that individuals looking for these merchandise usually get to.
SEO: Search Engine Optimization
This requires including key phrases to your merchandise, meta tags, and extra.
SMM: Social Media Marketing
This principally used social media to advertise hyperlinks to your website.
PPC: Pay Per Click
Paying for hyperlinks on main web sites to place hyperlinks to your ecommerce website.
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