How to sell products online: Here's what you need to knows to start selling

Embarking on an online business venture can be straightforward with the right website service. Numerous platforms and services cater to those interested in selling products online, offering an opportunity to generate additional income or delve into entrepreneurship. Choosing the right method for selling products online entails evaluating your business needs and selecting a platform that aligns with your requirements.

Select Your Products

When considering where to sell online, it's essential to first determine the type of product you'll be offering. Depending on your merchandise, you can explore platforms offering varying levels of customization to suit your business needs.

Whether you're dealing in handmade crafts, print-on-demand apparel, or customized items like mugs, establishing a solid business plan is crucial from the outset. Defining your niche and target audience lays the foundation for effective marketing strategies in the future.

For print-on-demand merchandise, conducting test orders is advisable to familiarize yourself with the product materials. Handcrafted goods sellers should provide accurate measurements on product pages, along with disclaimers regarding any anticipated variations.

Dropshipping presents another popular avenue for product sales, offering the advantage of minimal involvement in the creation or supply chain while allowing you to start selling with relative ease.

Create Your Sales Platform

Different online platforms offer varying levels of customization for your online store, so it depends on your preferences and needs.

Selecting a Domain Name

A domain name serves as your website's address, like youronlinestore.com. Usually, it matches your business name, but finding available domains can be challenging. If your preferred domain isn't available, consider adding a relevant keyword or your location. For instance, a cafe called "Half Baked" might explore options like halfbakedcafe.com, drinkhalfbaked.com, or halfbakedaustin.com.

To search for available domains, visit reputable domain registrars like Namecheap or Domain.com. Prices typically range from around INR 995 to INR 1,244 per year.

Discover the Ideal Platform for Your E-commerce Business

Finding the ideal e-commerce platform for your business becomes straightforward once you define the scale of your venture.

Shopify stands out as a top choice for its user-friendly setup and seamless integration with print-on-demand services like Printful and Printify. While it lacks a free option, it offers features such as cart recovery and a plethora of customizable themes, making it suitable for various businesses, including dropshipping.

Shift4Shop is another contender, offering a free plan ideal for starting or scaling a small business proportionally.Squarespace offers both website building and e-commerce capabilities, making it perfect for those interested in showcasing products with visually appealing designs.

Lastly, Square, known for its credit card processing hardware, provides a free plan for building online stores. This option is beneficial for businesses planning to incorporate in-person selling options in the future, such as store locations or trade shows.

Market Your Products on Major Online Platforms

In addition to establishing your own online store to directly sell products to customers, it's prudent to list your items on prominent online marketplaces like Amazon, Etsy, eBay, Walmart, Zazzle, or other platforms relevant to your product niche. While these third-party e-commerce platforms charge fees or commissions, they offer extensive exposure, expanding your business's reach and potential for sales.

Here are some popular platforms for online product sales:

- Zazzle
- Walmart
- Amazon
- Etsy
- Facebook Marketplace
- eBay

Additionally, explore specialty marketplaces or niche websites frequented by your target audience for selling your products.

Handling Payments and Shipping

All these platforms offer payment processing services, enabling you to swiftly start accepting payments for your products. However, it's advisable to register as a sole proprietor or LLC to manage your income for tax purposes, ensuring better long-term income tracking, even if it's just a side hustle.

Shipping considerations are equally vital. Unless you're providing digital products, it's essential to explore various shipping options and their cost-effectiveness. While free shipping can incentivize purchases, it means absorbing shipping expenses. Alternatively, offering sales or other incentives might be more prudent if shipping costs are rising with your chosen carrier in your region.

Promote Your Products Online

When you're ready to start selling, effective advertising is essential for boosting your business's visibility and driving product sales. There are various advertising channels available, spanning from social media to PPC campaigns, and it's beneficial to utilize multiple channels to reach a wider audience.

Here are the primary methods for marketing products online:

1. Influencer marketing to leverage the reach and influence of popular figures.
2. Search engine optimization (SEO) to improve your website's search engine ranking.
3. Content marketing to increase your online presence and attract potential customers.
4. Banner advertising, like Google AdSense, to display ads on relevant websites.
5. Paid search advertising, such as Google Ads, to target specific keywords and audiences.
6. Utilizing advertising options on e-commerce platforms like Etsy and Amazon.
7. Organic social media marketing on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Pinterest.
8. Paid social media advertising, such as Facebook Ads, to reach targeted audiences.

Once you've established a customer base, there are additional marketing strategies you can employ, including creating a dedicated newsletter, implementing SMS marketing, building a Facebook Group, hosting events, and more.