Many people are looking to have their own business from home. Whether it’s to earn some extra income or because they’re fed up with having a boss, people are starting to think of alternative ways to start their own company. Nowadays, it’s not that difficult to become an entrepreneur. Software programs or applications like Shopify help people get started with a few simple steps. Online shopping has been a growing trend over the past decade, and if you’re trying to sell some products online, Shopify can help you get started.
In the past, people had to hire a developer to configure an e-commerce system according to their requirements as online store owners. If you wanted to add products or open up a new shopping category, you had to turn to your developer for any alterations, which would’ve cost you extra money. This process took a lot of time and effort, and websites usually ended up with glitches. When you’re just getting started, you’ll need to save every penny to have a decent income from sales profit. Shopify saves you all the frustration of the daunting task of launching your online store.
First, you need to decide what type of business you’ll be starting. Will you be selling a product, a service, or a combination of both? It’s better to start small; you’re probably launching your store from home and don’t even have a storage area yet. Think of a business idea that doesn’t require high investment in case things don’t work out. If you have experience in a certain field or are passionate about something, think about launching an online course for that, which will cost you nothing. You can start a pet grooming business that includes dog walking services, which will only cost you some cleaning products and some of your free time. No matter what you decide on, make sure your schedule can handle it, especially if you have a day job.
Here are a few tips on how to launch your first Shopify store.
Choose A Name For Your Business
Your business name is the ID card for your products. It’s the name that will go on your logo and that people will remember you by. Think of an appropriate name for your business that speaks about your brand. It should be brief, simple, and catchy, which works best when buying a domain similar to the name of your business. You can use a tool or a name generator to make the process easier. Make sure it’s easy to pronounce, especially if you aim to expand internationally, and avoid using special characters or numbers or any complicated phrases. If possible, incorporate an SEO keyword in your name, which will make it appear in the top user searches. For example, if you sell stationery, you can use a domain name like StationerybyCharlie.com.
You have to also check that your domain name is not similar to any popular brands online. Google searches and social media platforms can also tell you if another business or entity is using a similar name.
Signing Up And Adding Products
Shopify provides new users with a free trial, where you can start your account and navigate the app to get used to the platform. You only need to enter your email, Shopify password, and store name, and you’re good to go. The next step is to add your products. You’ll find a description box where you can write down everything the consumer needs to know about your products, like weight, dimensions, nutrition facts, and any other information that you’ll include on your product’s label.
Try to anticipate what customers will be looking for when browsing your products. One option is using Shopify experts to help you figure out how to best present your products. Remember that you’re also a customer. Think of all the things that catch your eye when shopping online, and ask your friends and family for their opinions or conduct surveys on your social media accounts to find out what most people are usually looking for. Include photos, videos, or GIFs in the media section of your account as people relate more to products they can see. If you’re offering a service, make sure to include a photo or video of you performing that service.
Other Setting
On the left panel of your account, you’ll find several icons that you can browse to complete setting up your account. Other settings include the payment setup that gives you a variety of options to choose from. You can also customize your checkout settings to notify users who left your page without completing the purchase or give them the choice of contact after confirming an order. You can also deduct shipping expenses on your orders when you’re first starting to attract customers. A good idea to save up on your shipping rates is to use a method called dropshipping. This method allows you to ship your products directly from the supplier to the customer without having to rent a warehouse or pay for extra delivery charges.
There are plenty of themes and designs you can choose from in your Spotify account. You’ll have a default theme that can get you started, and then you can change the settings as your business starts to pick up. Shopify offers premium packages on marketing themes that you can subscribe to when you make a profit from sales. You can create the layout of your main menu to determine how users can navigate your page. Header and footer options are available to make your product’s page stand out. Start clicking on icons from the top one by one to design your Shopify online store.
Try to be creative in the process. After doing your research and surveys, jot down a few ideas of how to present your products or services in the best possible manner so as to attract potential customers and boost sales. Shopify is a user-friendly platform that offers plenty of design options, and the whole setup process won’t take you more than an hour. Before you know it, you’ll be able to easily check up on your sales and optimize your products and services for your Shopify store.