With COVID-19 as a headwind to eCommerce store traffic, retailers and entrepreneurs have stepped up their strategy as a digitally Omni-always. Since we know omnichannel is the future of eCommerce and brick-and-mortar store owners and retailers need to make the right investments in 2021.
Advantages of Transition From Physical Store To Online Store
In this time of uncertainty, businesses of all sizes are working to adapt quickly to a changing economy and infrastructure. There are various advantages to take your store online in both - the short and long term. For the short term, the advantage of taking your store online is that you’ll still be able to generate sales under the current uncertain pandemics and mandated business closures. It’s broader than being local. With an internet connection, you are exposed to a wider audience from anywhere, which means you can sell on a local, national, or even global scale.
And on a longer-term basis, you can take advantage of what’s known as Omni-channel e-tail (online retail). Diversifying your business now is an intelligent decision. Setting up and managing an online store doesn’t should be bothering — with many tools and features, this is easy. You can have your online store open for business as early as now by following these 7 guidelines by us, we bet!
How to Transition From a Brick-And-Mortar to an Online Store
In order to take your store/business online, there are a number of big decisions you need to make and factors to consider.
1. Platform to host
Most web hosting services have an eCommerce plugin that you can add to the existing site. If the eCommerce plugin can connect to your point of sale system, it may be even easier to start your online store.
2. Online Inventory
You’ll need to decide which products from your brick-and-mortar store will be sold online. You might find that some of your in-store inventory wouldn’t make as much sense to sell online.
3. Marketing efforts
Marketing efforts need to be more dynamic. Add features like click-and-posts. Start email marketing for your online store.
This post will guide you through the process of moving your store with a secure plan in place.
7 Step Guide To Take Your Brick-and-Mortar Store To Online in 2021
Step 1: Create a plan
Create a plan of action to serve as your roadmap for your online journey. Include elements such as packaging supplies if you’ll be shipping yourself, dividing workload, high-quality photos of products, and have a timeline of when to go live.
Step 2: Appropriate platform/theme
Once your website is ready, its time to make a shoutout. Declare your chosen e-commerce platform. Choosing the self-hosted way means that you are in charge and you can customize your e-store. You can also opt for an eCommerce website development agency and get things done quickly with professionals.
Step 3: Draft Marketing Strategy
Drafting a marketing strategy for your online store may require a shift in thinking. Start with your overall goals, so you have a clear picture of what you’d like to accomplish.
And, it’s time to think about what your target audience is. Select a marketing channel - Where you’re most likely to come across them.
Step 4: Financial planning
Sum up the costs - monthly advertising, shipping, and packaging, monthly eCommerce subscription/fees, etc. You can boost your social media presence to maximize free exposure.
Step 5: Product management
If you’ve got a wide selection of products, we recommend narrowing your inventory down to just best-selling items. This way you can cater to a wider consumer base and not waste time or energy on products that aren’t going to make you much profit anyway. You can also leverage a third-party service that would warehouse, pack, and dropship online orders directly to your customers on your behalf.
Step 6: Website Design
Uniqueness is extremely important when it comes to creating a functional and attractive e-store. There are some free themes, to begin with, but they may not make a cut for the sales and popularity you expect in terms of conversions. We have a range of stunning templates, themes,s and app screens that are designed exclusively to cater to the modern eCommerce retail business. Also, owning a mobile-friendly e-store today is not only a good idea, but it’s also a must indeed.
1. ProShop Multi-Vendor WooCommerce - E-commerce Android Full Mobile App + kotlin
2. WooBox - WooCommerce Flutter E-commerce Full Mobile App
3. Shophop – eCommerce App UI Templates Android Kotlin
Step 7: Website Security
Security is on the top of your customers’ list when it comes to shopping from an online store. SSL certificates are one of the first and most important security factors. Ensure you get one on your site.
Conclusion:
Certainly, with the tremendous advantages of moving your brick-and-mortar store online, it’s the perfect time to make the transition. Having an online website for your business will profit you both now and in the future.
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