Online marketing can be very different from the classic one. Apart from all the classic processes that you need to understand, there are some particular things that are very useful (if not necessary) in e-commerce. No matter what type of product or service you want to sell, and if you manufacture it yourself or not, here are some important things to consider.
Use safe materials
Regardless of what type of product you sell, you have to make sure you understand the different types of materials and if they can be harmful to anyone. When you make a purchase that will turn into a product in your store, make sure you do it from a trustworthy source and it comes with all the appropriate certificates. For example, in a big part of the world you are obligated to put the CE mark on toys or products designed for children, and not doing this can leave you vulnerable to a lawsuit or fine.
Understand how your store is built
You may not be tech-savvy and that is OK. However, it is great to understand at least the basics on how your store works, how you can make small adjustments and what are the numbers that you need to follow to see how your products sell. Another option is to pay a freelancer for a few hours and ask them all the questions that you have in mind, from how to change the price of a product to how to contact a client.
Keep your website safe
You have to protect your business to the best of your abilities, and this means you will have to invest in online security. There are many types of digital certificates that can help keep your online business safe.From root CA to intermediate CA, it’s wise to figure out which is best to keep your particular business safe and protected. Also, don’t buy hosting from untrustworthy sources and avoid working with professionals that don’t seem to have an online presence.
Use different tools to keep yourself organized
You probably won’t have too many documents on paper, therefore you have to create a system that works for you in your computer. Excel is a great way to start, as it is fairly easy to use and you can easily attach a tool that will automatically record how many products you sold, how many you have left or how much money you made. Similarly, there are many online tools for accounting that will help you calculate taxes and fees.
Choose the best delivery option
There are many companies that you can send your products with, but you need the best one. You want to make sure that your packages will reach not only in time, but also in impeccable conditions. Because damages can happen, create a section on your website where you explain returns, compensations and for what you take responsibility or not. Pay attention to the laws of the country where you are based; in some places of the world you are obligated to reimburse the client for any damage that appeared during shipping. In others, it is not your responsibility.
Infographic created by Fiserv, an alternative data company
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