Have you ever thought about becoming a business owner? What if there was a way to reap the benefits of owning your own business, but with less risk and minimal financial investment? If so, you’ve likely heard the horror stories from fellow entrepreneurs. Many likely attempted to venture into the new territory of managing a website and marketing themselves. Setting out to try something new brings with it a level of vulnerability and uncertainty. What if you had a professional support team to answer questions and ensure you were on the right track? Allow me to introduce you to Shopify.
The site is credited by industry leaders as part of the reason 20-something television star Kylie Jenner is worth $800 million dollars. A force to be reckoned with, the platform allows people from all walks of life to enter the eCommerce area. There has never been a better time to try your hand at living your dream of business ownership, but don’t take my word for it.
According to a recent Forbes report, eCommerce is an exploding market. The modern digital age we have found ourselves in has brought with it new ways to communicate, connect – and shop! In 2017 Shopify was crowned as the leading eCommerce platform, with 325,000 active shops online. Sellers on Shopify make available specific items and products they find of interest, instead of the big box experience we have come to know through standard retailers like Wal-Mart.
The findings so on to maintain that with 46% of online retail resulting from web traffic, mobile interconnection has altered the way we function. So much so, our smartphones have become our “right hand man” for communication, resources and shopping.
eCommerce Levels the Playing Field
eCommerce is a hot topic, and for good reason. There are several misconceptions, which can mislead and prevent self-starters from exploring the opportunity they have right at their fingertips! Many people have found success with selling goods online and have reached more buyers than they ever imagined.
Shopify is not a typical shopping experience, and this is what makes it so revolutionary. Contrary to a typical retail experience, Shopify allows you to browse and purchase items from the comfort of your own home. What’s more, with the drop-ship option, sellers on the platform are presented with a unique ability to sell items without having to pay up front for the inventory. Couple this with gorgeous templates for shop owners to chose from and seamless maneuverability throughout the site, it’s easy to see why traditional retail is going the way of the dinosaur.
With all this in mind, here are some things to consider before dipping your toe in the pool of e-commerce:
- What is your niche? With so many items available for purchase online, having a store with a carefully curated collection of items makes it stand out. Try and focus your items in a general area of interest, like fashion, education or items you make and sell. Your shop will stand out and offer a unique value, which is necessary when competing on the platform.
- Who are your target customers? It is essential to know who you are marketing your products to, so you have a good idea where to advertise. Understanding your target customer’s interests and needs will increase the popularity of your store on forums and social marketplaces.
- What will you sell? With Shopify, you can do more than sell drop shipped items, you are also able to sell digital items, like self-published eBooks, personally recorded music and much more. Decide where your passions lie and begin curating and adding your selections to your shop!
- How will you market? It is important when you venture out into the world of eCommerce that you do so with a marketing strategy. A popular method is to utilize social media platforms like Pinterest YouTube and Instagram to keep your followers aware of your shop and what you have available.
Taking the First Step
So now you know what Shopify can do for you, and how becoming a business owner isn’t as much of a hurdle as you might have suspected. See what Shopify can do for you and your business! Who knows, you may just be the next Kylie Jenner.