Is it possible to start an online store without any investment?
It’s not easy, but it is possible.
In fact, it is possible to start an E Commerce business without any money. I’m here to tell you that it is possible.
In this blog, I’m going to show you how to start an E-Commerce business without spending a penny.
Firstly, you need to decide what you’re passionate about and in which niche you can contribute as an entrepreneur.
Secondly, you can source or create products related to your passion.
Thirdly, you need to figure out who your target audience is.
Finally, you need to thoroughly research who your competitors are, what makes your products different from them, and what your potential customers want. You also need to understand what your customers’ needs are and what their preferences are.
What actually does an E-commerce mean?
E-commerce is all about buying and selling stuff online. It’s a way for people to buy and sell stuff online without having to go to a physical store. It covers all kinds of stuff, from brick-and-mortar stores and online marketplaces to online payments.
How E-commerce is going to rule our economy in the next 5 years?
E-commerce is expected to contribute to economic growth over the next five years by
• Bosting digital entrepreneurship
• Increasing global market access for businesses
• Creating new jobs in industries such as technology, logistics, and customer service.
As E-commerce sales continue to grow and new business models are developed, consumers will spend more and the economy will remain resilient.
Steps involved before starting out E-commerce Online Business Journey:
Step 1: Here are some questions to ask yourself before starting your own online business journey :
• Who are your competitors?
• What do they do?
• How can I stand out from the crowd?
• What issues do my products solve?
Step 2- Building your online store :
Now it’s time to set up your virtual store. There are several free online stores like WooCommerce Shopify Lite, and even Salesklik. You don’t have to pay anything upfront to set up your store. Pick the one that works best for you and start planning your store design.
Every platform brings in its own Pros and Cons, but Salesklik brings in the fastest website and user-friendly Ecommerce store creation platform based in India with an excellent customer support team.
Questions to ask yourself after Online Store Creation :
• Which online store is right for you?
• What products do you sell and how to categorize the products?
• How do you make your store look attractive without breaking the bank?
Step 3 — Product photography and listings
Now let’s focus on making your products look amazing.
Take some high-quality photos with your smartphone.
Then, find or create a product description that tells a great story about each product.
Finally, make your listings as clear and informative as possible.
Ask yourself the following questions:
• How can I showcase my products in photos?
- What information should I include in product descriptions?
Step 4 — Check Website Load Speed for better customer experience
Thoroughly check the speed at which the website is loading with the product image and product description. The average ideal speed for a good ecommerce website is about 3 sec.
More than this speed, you can consider that the website’s customer experience will not be good and your website will not get any sales even if you have a fantastic product line.
Today’s customers do lack patience and if your website tests their patience level then there are high chance that they will switch to any other website for their purchase.
Step 5 — Select a suitable Payment Gateway.
Now comes the crucial point of your website, the Payment Gateway. There are many payment gateway aggregators like Cashfree, Razorpay, PhonePe, etc who will take responsibility for your smooth application of payment gateway.
You just have to submit the required documents and then leave the rest to them as they will process your application.
Step 6 — Social Media Marketing
Use social media to market your business. Create profiles on social media platforms such as Instagram, facebook, Twitter, or Pinterest. Share interesting content about your niche.
Build a community around your brand.
Ask yourself the following questions:
What social media platforms should I focus on?
How can I authentically engage with my audience?
Step 7 — Free Marketing Tools
Use free marketing tools to grow your business.
For example, you can use Canva to create eye-catching graphics.
You can use MailChimp to send emails.
You can use Google Analytics to track the performance of your website.
Ask yourself these questions:
• What free tools can help me streamline my business operations?
• What metrics should I use to measure success?
Conclusion
In conclusion, networking is the best way to start an e-commerce business. Connect with other entrepreneurs, participate in online communities, and participate in virtual events relevant to your industry. You will gain valuable knowledge and may even find ways to collaborate.
Questions to ask yourself:
• How can I grow my network within my industry?
• Are there ways to collaborate with my business?
Yes, it will take a lot of hard work, dedication, and creativity to turn your dream into a successful online business. Keep your focus, stay enthusiastic, and watch your business grow from the ground up!
