Since March 2020, most markets around the world had to shut down to contain the spread of the virus. For local vendors, shuttering businesses is equal to bankruptcy since they cannot afford to shut down even for a week. Now that we are 4 months into quarantine and economic lockdown, most small businesses had to stop operations permanently.

The ones that are still operational are looking for an alternative to continue their operation, and going online seems like a reasonable solution. Consider the following statistics in favor of going digital:

Now looking at the above statistics, it is pretty evident that the world is shifting towards online shopping platforms. The outbreak of COVID-19 has sped it up even more. So if you do not already have an online business, now is the right time to make that shift.

Follow the easy and simple steps explained below to set up your online store:

1. Purchase a Domain

For digital existence, you need a website. The first and foremost step is to buy a domain name for your business. It takes around $17-$20 to get a domain per year. Several online platforms are present where you can check the availability of domains.

If your business has a common name, chances are it must be already taken. For example, if you have a cleaning business, it is likely that there is already a business by that name on the internet. To still get a domain that is related to your business, you can add prefixes or suffixes to your business name.

You may also use words such as online store, Ltd, country abbreviation, etc. Later you can decide if you want “.com” “.co” “.net” etc. depending upon your choice and availability.

  • “.com” is preferred over others hence it is the strongest
  • Do not add characters or numbers in your domain name
  • If you are locally based, you may select your country’s extension like “.in” “.ca”,. “uk.”

Tip: Several platforms for name generators are also available online that you can use to generate creative names for your online business

2.  Get a Website made

Now comes the next step, getting a website made. The key step in starting your online business is to create a website. It is good to do research about your competitors before making a website. Focus on the key points focused and try to avoid the mistakes made by others.

Although you can make your own online store through WordPress sites, we recommend that you hire a professional software solution company to make a professional website. Don’t forget to add a blog as it can help your viewers gain knowledge.

Moreover, you must add an e-commerce plugin on your website to facilitate online sales. Several services online have automated e-store platforms for people’s ease and to establish seamless solutions. If you hire a professional developer, they will incorporate it themselves.

3. Web Design

Establishing a website is not difficult; however, providing a seamless and smooth experience to the user is important. Not many people focus on the user experience, which is why they tend to face hurdles in succeeding. It is essential to focus on your web design, visuals, and graphics.

Choosing the right template, making use of write wording to explain your business and services, and creating an aesthetically pleasing experience for the user is vital. Our website’s design truly reflects your business values and direction.

You may hire a professional to design the web layout for your website. There are a lof of websites providing these services online. Using professional themes with coherent color palates and fonts can also help you in creating a good website design.

  • Add your logo and select relevant colors
  • Social media links in the footer
  • Easy navigation
  • Simple fonts
  • Good quality visuals

4.  Adding Content On Your Website

Providing the right amount of information on the website is essential as it lets the user as well as the search engine to recognize what your business is about. Make relevant pages and add unplagiarized content explaining each of the services you are providing.

Studying websites similar to your business can help you in creating relevant pages. The most common pages for all websites are:

  • Home
  • About us
  • Contact us
  • Services/ products.

To Sum it Up

The above mentioned were the 5 initial steps that you can follow to shift your business online. There are several other steps to promote your business online, but for that, you must first have a website.

Did these steps help? Let us know!