How to Build an Online Presence
We are living in an age dominated by digital devices. If you want to build a sustainable, profitable business, you will need to build an online presence.
Here’s everything you need to know about building an online presence for your new business.
Get ready to get online
How will you sell your products or services? Running a business is more than just organizing it – you’ll need to get ready to find customers.
If you’ creating an online business, this is often easier than when you open a physical location. Running an online store is both less expensive and less labor-intensive than setting up a physical store. There are no monthly rent, mortgage or property taxes to pay, and no fancy light fixtures to buy. It has become incredibly easy to create an e-commerce presence without a lot of technical knowledge, making a digital presence an attractive option for beginning businesses.
You’ll need a web presence first. We cover this in detail in the business website section of this guide.
Most template-based web design services offer some form of e-commerce functionality. And some, like Shopify, are catered specifically toward e-commerce small businesses. But, be sure to carefully consider all of the pros and cons before using a template-based service like Shopify. Remember how important your unique branding is? The templates on those e-commerce sites are available for every other new business brand to use, as well.
There are self-hosted open-source e-commerce services available that allow you to use your own uniquely branded website with their e-commerce functionality. Check out services like WooCommerce, Magento, and Open Cart. Not only can you use your own original web design, but they also scale easily alongside your business as it grows.