Opening a shop online?

Written on the 28 August 2013 by Snap Marketing

In 2016, the total online spend is expected to be around $26.9 billion in Australia. If you want a piece of that profitable pie, its time to get your business online and start building a digital client base.

With a bit of research and some professional help, its not nearly as scary or difficult as it might at first seem.

1. Invest in great design

Complicated Flash sites may be great for entertainment, but theyre not so good for making sales. Aim for a simple, classic design that looks professional, is on-brand and easy enough for even the most tech-wary user to navigate.

2. Focus on product detail

Make sure your photographs are an accurate representation of the product good lighting and providing pictures from several angles will help ensure this is the case and provide as much detail as possible when writing descriptions.

3. Find a secure eCommerce platform

Lack of trust is one of the main reasons people choose not to shop online, so finding a secure payment platform is crucial. Check out some of your favourite online stores and see what platform they use. Ask other business owners for advice to find the best solution.

4. Plan your postage

With many stores boasting next-day delivery, competition is fierce when it comes to postage. Find a reliable delivery service that offers a few different delivery options with tiered pricing so clients have choice.

5. Make time for SEO and marketing

Optimising your site for search right from the get-go is far easier than having to revise everything down the track. Carefully consider keywords in descriptions, site content, homepage copy and URLs. Other marketing tactics to consider include putting social media share buttons on product pages, holding flash sales and sending eNewsletters.

Contact Snap to find out how we can help build and design your new website and online store.