Step 1: Decide which business model you prefer

A business model can be B2B, C2B, B2B, or C2C. Consumers can exchange services/goods through a C2C market place, and you charge a fee. Business-to-business (B2B) refers to selling your products to another business, whereas business-to-consumer (B2C) refers to selling directly to consumers. The C2B market, on the other hand, allows companies to buy products from consumers.

Step 2: Select a platform for hosting your website and  e-commerce store.

Choosing a popular ecommerce platform will save you time and money. Woocommerce is a great platform that has excellent payment integration, but any hosting service with tried and tested customer service will save you a lot of headache. Think of this platform as somewhat of an investment. When you go cheap, there are less benefits and less support.

Step 3: Select a website design that matches the products.

A website must be aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate. The look and feel of an e-commerce website is even more important if it’s selling a product. You should ideally include crisp visuals or animations on your website’s design. You may not be able to attract your target audience with a loud or cluttered design.

Step 4: Ensure that your products are properly showcased.

You should ensure that the customers are provided with all the information they need to make an informed decision about the product.

• Use high-quality images
• Include various angles of your products
• Explain how your product can be used
• Add any special info like wash care or warranties, ect.

Step 5: Make sure you are using secure payment methods

Due to the fact that you won’t be interacting directly with your clients, you should offer a variety of payment methods to accommodate them all. The site must also protect credit cardholder information if it accepts credit card payments. Be sure to research reliable and popular payment platforms that can integrate into your site.

Step 6: Shipping Options

It is essential to get a reliable shipping partner, like a courier service or a shipping management service, before you can even begin to operate. Order processing software, shipments confirmation emails, and customer notification tools are all needed to fulfill orders. In the case of hiring a delivery service, you will be charged based on the weight of the packages, the size, the destination, and the insurance, among other factors. 

Step 7: Reviews should be encouraged and published.

Sixty-nine percent of online shoppers say that they would like e-commerce sites to offer more reviews, while 77% say they read product reviews before buying. You can encourage people to write reviews for you by following up with them after their purchases, thanking them for shopping with you and thanking them for their input.

Step 8: Market!

Make sure you have social media connected to your e-commerce site so that people can share your website. It is the most important thing that people know your website exist for the success of your online business.