It’s not hard to shop online these days. The internet is suffused with online marketplaces where you can get what you need with just a few clicks. This has allowed many budding entrepreneurs to reach success at a record time. Want to join their ranks?
Learn about how you can earn with just your laptop, internet connection, and products, and follow these tips on starting your online clothing shop.
Choose a Platform
To start selling clothes online, you have choose a platform that will host your shop. Fortunately, it’s quick and simple even for the nontechy types.
Most online shop platforms have all the tools you need to set up your shop—ready-made themes, apps for marketing, and tools for tracking orders, shipping, and stocking products. All these come at a small fee.
These platforms usually offer several plans that will suit different business needs. Do your research on the different platforms. Check if they’re user-friendly, secure, affordable, and accessible to your intended audience. List down all your business needs to help you choose which plan is the best for you.
Decide on a Memorable Brand Name and Logo
Before you can build you brand, you need to create a catchy brand name that perfectly embodies your business.
There are many ways to formulate a good name. For example, you can use your name or a nickname, like how Adidas comes from its creator’s, Adolf Dassler’s, nickname, Adi. Or use the name of a mythical deity, character, or creature (e.g., Nike is the Greek goddess of victory). You can also make a compound word out of two or more words, like how Vodafone comes from combining the words voice, data, and telephone.
Once you have your name, you have to design an accompanying logo. Your logo will be in the forefront when you build your brand, so it’s highly recommended to get it designed by a professional.
Take Attractive Photos
Humans are visual creatures. That’s most likely why platforms like Youtube, SnapChat, and Instagram (which offer a lot of multimedia experience) are so widely used. To attract customers (who are most likely humans), you have to incorporate plenty of visuals in your shop. That means posting attractive photos of the clothes you’re selling.
Product photos are vital in online shops. For one, they’re the closest thing to the physical experience of browsing through store displays. Photos are also largely responsible for making customers click on a certain product.
You don’t have to invest in expensive equipment (although that will help). As an online entrepreneur, you should learn how to take photos that will help sell your products.
Build Your Brand
Marketing is essential to get the word out about your shop and products. If you have a good following in social media, leverage your online presence to promote your business.
If you don’t, start building one right now. Don’t go blind into the task. Read expert advice on building your brand online.
At this stage, you’ll be able to make ample use of your brand name and logo. That’s why it’s so important to create a memorable name and an attractive logo. A catchy tagline will help even further.
Make sure that your website contains all the necessary information before you reach out to your intended audience. Create an “About” page. Describe your business, its origins, mission, vision, and values.
Customers want to know as much as they can before they trust a business. Provide as much information to make potential customers interested, but leave out enough to entice them to inquire. Connect your social media accounts to your website once everything is ready.
Improve Customer Experience
Good marketing attracts customers, but ultimately, it’s the experience that keeps them. Excellent quality products and quick, helpful service are a must in giving customers a pleasant experience with your shop. But sometimes, those aren’t enough to make them choose your shop over that of the competition.
Add value to customer experience by consistently providing great customer service. Set clear customer expectations early, respond to inquiries and concerns immediately, ensure product quality and prompt delivery, and be well-informed and transparent. Earn your customer’s loyalty.
Improve customer experience through different strategies. Send a personalized thank-you note with the delivery to show your appreciation to your customers. Give them special treatment with attractive packaging, giveaways, and the like. Make your customers feel how much you value them.
Before You Go
Choosing your host is the first step to opening your online clothing. Take note of a few things that are right for your business. To do that, do your research, and determine your business needs. Pick the one that meets and exceeds your requirements.
You can start the second phase once you have your website ready. By then, you may be itching to get everything, but don’t be hasty.
A successful business requires a solid foundation. Iron out the details, and solve problems before they occur. When you have everything your need, start selling!