When you are ready to enter the world of online sales, you want to capture as much of the market as possible. In today’s technology-reliant world, this means being digitally diligent. In other words, you have to harness the power of the web to work for you.
Keep reading for a few tips from District Creations on how to turn your online efforts into real-world success.
It Starts with a Website
You already know that to sell online your businessneeds a website. However, it is not enough to simply pop a page on the internet. You have to put some thought into both design and the site’s capabilities. Today’s customers want visually pleasing, easy-to-navigate (from desktop, phone, and tablet), and engaging websites. In addition to written, audio, and visual content, a user-friendly website provides quick access to convenience features, such as one-click calling and GPS navigation.
If you aren’t a web designer, there are tools you can use to make a website that won’t look like a DIY endeavour. Wix, for example, allows you to use galleries as well as optimize for mobile. Promote home pages are designed using this tool with stunning results. However, if you want a more comprehensive site with custom features (like the ability to take payments or a full online store), it’s better to work with an agency like District Creations, which can create a beautiful and optimized website tailored for your business.
Shopping in a Snap
Your website is up and running. That’s great! However, if you have products to sell, those need to be available for purchase online. Customers are impatient and likely won’t be willing to choose a product, call you on the phone, provide their credit card information, and then wait for shipping. Instead, make sure that you have a functional e-commerce platform and, just as important, a fast and secure payment processing service. PC Mag’s Editor’s Choice is Square, but there are many others like WooCommerce that support not only online transactions but also mobile payments and allow for third-party integration through services such as PayPal and Stripe.
Keep in mind that people shop online for convenience. But, many are often searching for reviews from other shoppers, so make sure that each item you sell clearly shows a star-rating.
Accounting and the Internet
Now that your website is ready, you’ll also want to make sure you can keep your books straight. While hiring an accountant is one option, there are many software programs that will help you keep tabs on your financials without assistance. QuickBooks and Freshbook are examples. You will still want a professional to walk you through tax season, but these and other programs can handle most day-to-day accounting tasks.
Assistance, Please
Whether your business runs solely online or on a combination of platforms, having a virtual assistant can keep you organized. First, as Rescue A CEO explains, you will have access to help around-the-clock. Your virtual assistant can help you grow your business and will keep things running so that you can focus on your specialty. Find ways to automate your business in order to work smarter, not harder.
This is not a definitive list of all the help you’ll need for your web-based endeavors. However, the above tools are valuable assets. They can help you find success by utilizing services and assistance that can boost your bottom line.
Author: Amy Collett
Image by Nattanan Kanchanaprat from Pixabay
