Bloggers tend to fall into two categories, at least when they start out. Those that want to blog as a hobby and see it as a chance to make new friends, learn new skills, create an online journal and share their story and those that want to make money. Whichever camp you start in, you may one day want to make a living from your blog, and the opportunity is certainly there. However, it’s often those that start as a hobby blogger that are the most successful. They don’t go in with any expectations and spend time working hard to grow a following before chances to make money start to crop up. Those in the money-making camp often assume it’s an easy way to quick cash and don’t give it the time and effort it needs.
If you’ve been a blogger for a while and you’re now considering launching an ecommerce store so you can turn your blog into a profitable business, the good news is, you’ve already done a lot of the hard work in growing a loyal audience. A blog is an incredibly effective way to drive traffic to a store, and a lot of business owners are keen to have one. You’ve got a head start, and there is plenty of information on How to Start an Online Business with a Solid Foundation for Success out there to help. Here are six steps you need to take to turn your blog into a successful ecommerce store.
Market Research
You’ve probably already got an idea for a product. But, whether it’s something you are creating yourself or sourcing from elsewhere, you need to consider alternatives. Make a list of everything you are interested in selling and start your research. First, it’s important to find out if people actually want it. As a blogger, you’ll already have a fan base and some contacts, so ask them. It’s also a good idea to check out the competition in the area. Are you offering something different? If not, is your product either cheaper or better? And, most importantly, will it make you money? If not, move on to the next idea on your list.
Make a Business Plan
A business plan and a financial forecast are exceptionally important. You might need a loan or investment to get started, which you won’t get without a business plan. Even if you have the cash to start alone, a business plan will help you to see where your business is going, how you are going to get there and identify any problems you may come across so you can either avoid them, or come up with a solution.
Chose a Shopping Cart Solution
Displaying products and selling isn’t actually the hard part. You can advertise products on a normal WordPress blog. But, to have an ecommerce store, you will need a cart solution so people can shop, without having to email you every time they want to buy something. There are plenty of cart options out there, so some things you should consider when choosing include:
- Does it need an SSL certificate?
- Is it compatible with your blog?
- Does it embed easily?
- Does it allow social media sharing?
- Can you manage your products and add discounts easily?
- Does it support your product? Some are just for digital downloads or online services, so if you’ve got a physical product this is one to double check
- Is there a plugin?
- Are there user restrictions?
- How much does it cost to run and is it a monthly fee or one-off payment?
- What support is available?
- Does it have excellent mobile and tablet optimization?
There is a lot to consider, so think about your options carefully before committing.
Consider Payment Options
As well as cart options, you need payment options. Customers are no longer happy to be told how to pay. They want options. It’s a good idea to offer credit and debit card payments, PayPal and Apple Pay at least but there are other options. The more you offer, the better. Just make sure your cart supports them all.
Add Your Products
Now you’ve got all the serious stuff done; it’s time to start having fun. When adding your products to your site, remember, images sell. Use lots of high-quality pictures and if you can, videos. Then, make sure your product descriptions stand out and sell.
Advertise
Do your readers know you are launching a store? If not, now is the time to tell them. Make sure you are advertising on social media and your blog and encourage your current readers and subscribers to share for you.
Starting your ecommerce store is exceptionally exciting and probably much easier than you think it is! Remember not to get stressed out and let yourself have some fun.