Below are just two basic steps that I used to place my store online. I hope this information is helpful in expanding your current business.
I. Find a Free Ecommerce Website Search online for subject matter related to ecommerce or Free Business Website and choose
a high-ranking site. You should test the site's popularity by checking the site's ranking. Some sites offer instant information on ranking, like alexa.com. The lower the number the higher its rank and the better your chances of getting traffic.
Tip: When searching for a free site, be wary of free trial offers as they will eventually expect payment. There are certainly excellent ecommerce sites that are not free, but payment will not guaranty results. I use
vSTORE.ca II. Prepare to place your product info on the Internet Gather some info on every product you intend to place online. You will need pictures, engaging descriptions, and most importantl.competitive prices.
(a) Pictures: Find a catalog with your product's picture and scan it into you.computer, copy a picture from the Internet, or just take a quality picture and download it yourself. Please ask permission when copying pictures. In some cases, manufacturers will even provide pictures (and descriptions) on a disk to help promote their product. In other cases there may be some restrictions on what you are allowed to use.
Tip: Pictures are not 100% necessary to place a product online, but are highly recommenced. Virtual products like downloads and e-coupons do not need pictures.
(b) Descriptions: Use descriptions similar to the manufacturer's own product descriptions. Be careful not to plagiarize. Engage the reader by making descriptions brief and informative. Including measurement and weight information is helpful to the prospective buyer.
Tip: To avoid grammatical errors, create descriptions in your text editor first, then copy it to the site's description page. Also, save time on multiple product listings by creating identical descriptions for products that contain only subtle variances in color or style.
(c) Prices: Pricing is a key element on the Internet. The Internet is much larger than any store's local audience, thus prices are mor.competitive. Don't be fooled by hidden shipping prices. You might find tha.competitor's prices are lower than yours, but what you don't see is that their shipping costs are cranked way up t.compensate.
Tip: Be price-conscious by surveying the Internet fo.competitor's prices on a regular basis and adjust your prices accordingly.
Tip: One sign that may reveal that your prices are no.competitive is that you are receiving plenty of traffic, but poor sales.
III. Closing. Entering the data you've gathered is the easiest part. Online store programs are so sophisticated that designin.company logos, calculating shipping prices, and obtaining credit card payment options are a breeze. For all of you Internet savvy readers, free sites usually offer advanced features at a small cost to help promote your online store.
Tip: Once a reader has entered your website, it is important to talk about your site's exclusive benefits. If written well, this info will perk their interest and encourage them to look further.
Tip: A picture is worth a thousand words, so make sure you display a few product images on the intro page. Use products that have mass appeal.
