Already running a successful brick-and-mortar business, but you’d like to take it to the next level? Now’s the perfect time to dip your toes into eCommerce, and a great chance to replicate the success you’ve had offline in a whole new way. Building an online store can seem intimidating at first, but with some eCommerce guidance combined with your wealth of knowledge on your products and services, the transition will be smoother than you ever imagined!

1. Set Your Online Store Up For Success

While you’ll have lots of opportunities to tweak your online store as you go (and you should definitely do that!), the initial set-up is extremely important. Think back to when you first launched your brick-and-mortar store – it probably took some time to find the right location, straighten out your paperwork, design, and outfit interior and signage, develop your marketing materials, and go through a long checklist of items before opening your doors. Things are definitely easier online, but the attention to detail still applies. 

Before getting started, download this website launch checklist, and keep it handy. It covers the basics and ensures you don’t miss any key items from the beginning.

2. Stay True to Your Brand

You work hard on the ambiance and aesthetic of your physical location; why should your eCommerce presence be any different? Your website has the potential to be even more far-reaching than your brick-and-mortar location and can give you the opportunity to amplify your revenue growth, so give the attention it deserves, and it will in turn give you the results you deserve.  

You’ve put your heart into your brand, so pull out your brand guidelines and update them to extend into your online presence. Everything from your company colours and style to your brand’s tone and voice will impact your online visitors’ experience. As long as you stay true to your core brand and what your customers have always loved about you, that same feeling and experience should resonate online.

3. Leverage What You Already Know, But Remain Open-Minded 

You may have 5, 10, 15, or even 20 years of experience running a shop; and don’t get us wrong, that intimate knowledge of your business will certainly work in your favour! Just remember to be mindful of the fact that eCommerce is still a different place. With fewer boundaries (such as physical location or limited store hours), you may find that your products are suddenly selling to a completely different audience, or that products normally in the sale section of your store become top sellers online. eCommerce is full of surprises, but if you navigate them with an open mind, the transition will be that much smoother.  Just be ready to adapt your online plan based on your findings.

4. Get to Work on Your Digital Marketing Plan

Once your website looks amazing and represents your brand accordingly, you’ll need to dial into your online marketing strategy to attract customers. Between SEO, PPC, social media, email marketing, and a long list of other marketing channels, there are plenty of ways to find customers who want exactly what you have to offer.  So what are you waiting for?  This is only the beginning of your new future.

Need help getting started on building your online store? Let our team set you up for success and get those new customers rolling in! Contact us today.