How to create a webshop?
Whether you already sell products or want to start doing so: creating a webshop is the perfect step for every entrepreneur! Find out how here!
Making a webshop, a perfect step for entrepreneurs who (want to) sell products online! Maybe you already sell products, are considering to start, or are just interested in how this works. Whatever your goal is, I’ll help you achieve it with this blog. I will discuss all the basics you need to know in order to start your own webshop!
Why create a webshop?
Very simple: to be found! A web shop makes sure you have a place to sell your products online. Some entrepreneurs choose to sell their products purely through social media for example. That can be a great starting point, but your own webshop offers many more possibilities. For example, you can work with more forms of marketing than if you sell via Instagram. Also, your own webshop provides a professional image to your target audience. You show that you really are a company instead of just an entrepreneur with a product.
How do you make a webshop?
You can create your own online shop in an easy way. The most common tool used for this is Shopify. Shopify offers their services from a low amount and allows you to easily set up your own shop. You do not have to be a designer or developer to do this. Shopify offers enough functionality for novice webshops to start selling online.
You can create your own webshop by designing a number of pages. In the beginning, a clear homepage, product page, about us page and contact page should be enough. On the homepage you can give a summary of what your company and product are for. Most likely, your product solves a problem or provides some value to the consumer. You can already summarize this nicely on your homepage.
Then you can redirect to your product page, where you can put all the pros and cons of the product. This is the best place to display all the specifications of your product. The about us page has room to tell a little more about your business. Consumers are generally more likely to buy products from business owners who tell a little about themselves. If they feel connected to your background or story, they are more likely to trust you.
Finally, it is useful to add a contact page so potential customers can reach you for questions and comments. It is also advisable to dedicate a page to the ordering process, delivery, return policy, complaints and terms and conditions. You also often see that online shops work with a privacy statement and cookie policy. These things are all mandatory since the introduction of the AVG law. Not often fun, but very important!
How to make a webshop?
If your shop is running smoothly at some point and you want to grow, then it is possible that you encounter obstacles. Suppose you have specific expansions in mind, but the Shopify theme does not support it, then it may be wise to let a professional developer or digital agency create your website. They work with more professional software, making much more possible. We ourselves work with WordPress and WooCommerce, the most popular and valued platform.
We often encounter entrepreneurs who have already started a shop in Shopify, only to find out that their wishes exceed the functionalities offered. We then rebuild the basis of the shop for them, but ensure that the shop contains all desired features. Often you see that professional webshops are faster, more user-friendly and more optimized. It may also be that what you had built Shopify is not at all satisfactory and you want to start all over again with your webshop.
Let your webshop grow
Regardless of whether you have created the webshop yourself or had it created; it is always wise to constantly be thinking about how you are going to grow your webshop. Unfortunately, customers do not automatically sign up for your product. You will have to make sure that you can reach them and attract their attention with your offer. You can do this through all kinds of channels, but since your shop takes place online, it is often decided to also use online marketing for growth. You can think of online advertisements, social media and influencers.
Offline channels are usually not used much for growing your webshop, but they can play an important role in your offer. For example, manuals in the box explaining your product or a flyer with a discount code on it for a follow-up purchase. It is important that you research each channel and determine for yourself what they can mean in your offer. Only then can you find a good balance in the marketing channels you use to make your business look professional and grow.
Do you have questions about creating a website? Or do you need help with this? Then I’m more than happy to help you with that! Please leave a comment and we’ll see how I can help you.
