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Have you grown tired of the hustle and bustle often associated with brick-and-mortar employment? Perhaps you instead feel that you have reached your potential in a specific field or you are simply looking for a way to earn a full-time income from the comfort of your own home. These are some of the most common reasons why a growing number of entrepreneurs have taken the jump into the world of e-commerce.
To be clear, e-commerce is certainly nothing new. Most will argue that this industry first began to emerge in the 1990s thanks to the meteoric rise of sites such as Amazon and eBay. The point here is that this sector is now catering to an entirely new generation of individuals who appreciate the potential upsides. The only issue is that it can be tough to know where to begin. Let’s simplify things a bit by highlighting some of the ways in which you can become prepared for what awaits.
Create a Standalone Website
Establishing a well-rounded online presence is crucial in terms of transparency and authority. Customers will often avoid making a purchase if they are unable to learn about the seller. You should therefore create a website that explains what it is you that are trying to achieve and that is capable of reinforcing your intended brand identity.
Thankfully, you will not be required to possess the coding skills of an expert programmer to begin this process. A professional website builder like IONOS dedicated software utilities will provide you with the hands-on insight required to literally design a portal from scratch. From branded email addresses and the latest security protocols to eye-catching templates and streamlined navigation, little is left to the imagination.
Address the Mobile Community
Another important strategy involves how you interact with your mobile customer base. As a growing number of consumers are accessing e-commerce portals with smartphones, you need to ensure that your site is equipped with a mobile-reponsive edge. Some of the characteristics of a smartphone-friendly website include:
- Long-scrolling text
- The ability to zoom in on images
- Quick page loading times
- Few (if any) distracting banner ads
- Visual consistency
Considering the fact that 49 per cent of consumers use smartphones to make weekly purchases, it pays to appreciate mobile-responsive site designs.
Define Your Business Model
E-commerce is extremely flexible in terms of your target demographic. Here are some of the most common business models to consider:
- B2B (selling products and services to other businesses)
- B2B (marketing your products to individual consumers)
- C2C (the traditional exchange of goods and services between two people)
- C2B (customer-to-business models such as freelancers who provide their services for a fee)
It is a good idea to research these approaches in order to appreciate the benefits as well as any potential drawbacks.
Be Patient
Finally, remember that success within the e-commerce community is by no means a “flash in the pan”. It will still require time, hard work and dedication. The rewards can nonetheless be worth the effort if you have been searching for a greater degree of professional freedom.
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