Easy steps to start selling online
Introduction
There are many ways to build an eCommerce business. The most common way to start an online business is by paying a developer/digital marketing agency to build an online store for you. But, with a little bit of knowledge and some good advice, you can start building one all by yourself!
Firstly, you will need to select the e-commerce solution that is right for you.
Shopify and WooCommerce are two of the most popular options available, and each has its benefits and drawbacks. Secondly, you’ll need to choose a payment processor and make sure your website is SSL-certified (All websites should be running secure connections – especially e-commerce ones). And lastly, you’ll need a shipping solution to ship your products to customers in a timely and cost-efficient manner.
Once you’ve decided on a platform, it’s time to set up your store. This involves choosing and registering a domain name, designing your storefront, and adding products. You’ll also need to set up payment processing and shipping options.
But how do customers find your store, you ask? You’ll need to promote your store and drive traffic to it. This can be done through SEO, social media marketing, and other online marketing. Marketing and advertising are extremely important for any online business.
Australian consumers are shopping online more than ever before.
Shopify
Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms available, and for good reason. It’s easy to use, has a wide range of features and plugins, and is backed by 24/7 support. However, it can be expensive, starting at $29USD per month for the Basic Shopify plan. There’s also a transaction fee of 2% for all plans except Shopify Plus (which starts at $2000USD per month).
WooCommerce
WooCommerce is a popular eCommerce plugin for WordPress websites. It’s free to use, but you’ll need to pay for hosting, a domain name, and other WordPress plugins. WooCommerce is not as easy to use as Shopify, but it’s more affordable and highly customisable.
Marketing
Finally, you’ll need to promote your store and drive traffic to it. This can be done through SEO, social media marketing, and other online marketing. View our article on How much SEO costs.
Payment Processors
Once you’ve chosen your eCommerce platform, you’ll need to choose a payment processor. Shopify has its own payment gateway, Shopify Payments, which is available to customers in the US, UK, Canada, and Australia. Shopify Payments offers competitive rates and doesn’t charge any additional transaction fees. WooCommerce also has its own payment gateway, WooCommerce Payments, which is available to customers in the US and UK. However, WooCommerce Payments charges a 1% transaction fee. Stripe and Paypal are easy to set up and use with both Shopify and Woocommerce.
Apart from Shipping stock, there is always the option of finding a supplier for does Drop Shipping.
Shipping or Dropshipping?
Shipping can be one of the most challenging aspects of eCommerce, but it’s also one of the most important. You’ll need to find a reliable shipping provider and figure out the best way to ship your products to customers. Australia Post is a popular option for Australian businesses, but there are plenty of others to choose from as well.
You’ll need to find a shipping carrier, get a shipping quote, and figure out the best way to package and ship your products. Shopify has built-in shipping features that make it easy to get started, but you may need to upgrade to a higher plan to get access to all of the features. WooCommerce doesn’t have as many built-in shipping features, but there are plenty of plugins available to help you get started.
On the other hand, dropshipping is another popular method, which means you don’t have to have any stock on-hand. This method allows you to ship directly from the manufacturer once you have made a sale.
1. Shopify or WooCommerce: Which is better for your business?
Shopify and WooCommerce are both popular eCommerce platforms, but which one is right for your business? Shopify is a turn-key solution that includes hosting, security, and support. It’s ideal for businesses that want an all-in-one solution with a fast set up time.
WooCommerce, on the other hand, is a plugin for WordPress that turns WordPress into a full eCommerce platform. WooCommerce is a better choice for businesses that already have a WordPress website, or those who want more control over the way their store functions.
2. Shopify or WooCommerce: Which is easier to use?
Shopify is the easier platform to use, but WooCommerce is more customisable. Shopify’s features and plugins are easy to use and well-documented. WooCommerce, on the other hand, requires a bit more technical know-how and is usually setup with the help of a Woocommerce professional.
Shopify has a Basic plan that starts at $29USD per month, and there’s also a 2% transaction fee for all plans except Shopify Plus (which starts at $2000USD per month). WooCommerce doesn’t have any monthly fees, but you’ll need to pay for hosting, a domain name, and hiring someone to manage and optimise WordPress. Also, keep in mind that many add-ons to WordPress are free, while Shopify apps usually require monthly subscriptions.
Choosing the right eCommerce solution for your business is important.
3. Setting up your eCommerce store
Shopify makes it very easy to set up your store. You can choose from a variety of templates and designs, or you can hire a Shopify expert to create a custom design. Once you’ve selected your design, you can add your products and start selling. Shopify also offers a free 14-day trial, so you can try it before committing to a paid plan.
WooCommerce doesn’t have as many built-in features as Shopify, but it’s much more customisable. You’ll need to find a WordPress theme that’s compatible with WooCommerce, and then install the WooCommerce plugin. Once WooCommerce is installed, you can add your products, set up your payment gateways, configure shipping options and then start selling.
4. Marketing your online store
No matter which platform you choose, you’ll need to market your store to attract customers and make sales. Here are a few marketing tips for promoting your online store:
Use social media
Social media is a great way to reach potential customers and promote your products or services. You can use platforms like Facebook, Twitter, TikTok and Instagram to connect with potential customers and increase brand awareness. Be sure to post engaging content that will grab attention and include links back to your website.
Use search engine optimisation (SEO)
SEO is the process of optimizing your website so that it ranks higher in search engine results pages (SERPs). This is important because it can help you attract more website visitors, which can lead to more sales. There are a number of things you can do to improve your website’s SEO, such as using keyword-rich titles and descriptions, optimizing your images, and creating backlinks. SEO is extremely important for a long-term strategy.
Use email marketing
Email marketing is a great way to connect with potential and existing customers. You can use email newsletters to promote new products, offer discounts or coupons, or simply stay in touch with your customers. Be sure to segment your email list so that you’re sending relevant information to the right people. Mailchimp has a free plan and is great for people starting out.
Use pay-per-click (PPC) advertising
PPC advertising is a form of paid advertising that allows you to place ads on search engines and other websites. When someone clicks on your ad, you’ll pay the advertiser a fee. This can be a great way to drive traffic to your website and generate leads or sales.
Use content marketing
Content marketing is another great way to attract attention and promote your products or services. You can create blog articles, videos, infographics, or any other type of content that’s relevant to your business and share it on your website or social media platforms. Be sure to include calls-to-action (CTAs) so that people know what you want them to do (e.g., buy your product, sign up for your email list, etc.).
Use offline marketing
Don’t forget about offline marketing! This can include print ads, TV or radio commercials, or promotional items like t-shirts or tote bags. You can also use offline marketing to promote online sales, such as by including a QR code on print ads that links to your website.
By following these marketing tips, you can increase traffic to your website and make more sales.
4. Conclusion: Shopify vs WooCommerce- which one is right for you?
Starting an eCommerce business in Australia is a great way to reach a global audience and sell products online. However, there are a few things to remember, such as choosing the right platform, setting up shipping, and promoting your store. With the right planning and execution, you can be successful in eCommerce. Shopify is one of the most popular eCommerce platforms available and for good reason. It’s easy to use and has a wide range of features and plugins, but it can be expensive. WooCommerce is another popular option that is free to use but takes more time to set up. Make sure to do your research and choose the platform that’s right for you.
If you’re looking for help with Shopify, check out our Shopify Web Design services. From setting up your store to marketing and SEO, we can help you take your business to the next level. We also develop and optimise Woocommerce stores. Contact us today to get started.
