6 tips for moving your goods and services online.

1. Find Your Niche
E-commerce refers to the buying and selling of goods or services using the internet. Offering an assortment of products at your digital store is a no-brainer, but you’ll also need to differentiate yourself from the pack. Consider which services you’ll use to market your offerings, like virtual demonstrations, Zoom consultations and webinars.

Do market research to ensure you’re on the platform that will bring in the most customers.

2. Select Your Marketplace
The internet offers plenty of e-commerce options: your company website, social media channels, e-commerce platforms like Amazon and Etsy or a combination of the above. Do market research (even just a short survey of prospects and clients) to ensure you’re on the platform that will bring in the most customers and maximize your sales.

3. Consider Pricing Strategy
During these difficult economic times, consumers have less discretionary spending and are trying to pinch their pennies. In order to earn their business, you should have clear pricing and consider incorporating deals into your offers, such as free shipping, first-time order discounts, referral incentives and bulk-buying specials.

4. Create Engaging Content
Don’t just sell to your customers – give them a reason to care about your online presence. Transform window shopping into a digital experience by producing high-quality content like captivating product images, video tutorials and blogs rich with information that can help their business.

5. Outsource Shipping
Dealing with logistics to get products to customers can be time-consuming and costly, especially if you have a small staff or you’re a one-person shop. Allow a third-party fulfillment center to store inventory, distribute customer orders and help scale your business. You may also be able to avoid paying retail rates for shipping carrier services.

6. Promote Yourself
Don’t wait for customers to find you. Market your platform on social media by joining groups and engaging with brands and influencers so your target audience notices you. You should also send email blasts to your current customer base informing them of your transition to e-commerce.