The lockdown and the current crisis would have made it clear to a business regarding the loss they suffer when they are not proactive. Companies that did not have an online presence suffered more than the ones that did (except for the fields where online presence was of no use either). It makes a huge difference if you stay connected to your customers. If you still do not have an online identity and exist offline alone, here are some tips that can help you to do so successfully.
Buying a Domain Name
First things first. You will have to begin by buying a domain name for your business. Under ideal conditions, the domain name is the same as the name of the business. The average annual fee is between $15 and $20. Follow the steps given below to get a domain name for yourself:
- Search your business’s name through a domain buying platform
- In case you do not find one that matches your offline name, look for alternative but close options
- Purchase it
If you are not familiar with domain buying platforms, then consider Shopify. It allows you to purchase custom domains as well. Moreover, you get to choose between Standard, Premium, or Country domain extensions. Ideally, you would want to go with the ‘.com’ option. This should always be the first preference. In case, that is not available, then you can look for other extensions.
Creating a Website
After registering the domain name, it is time for you to create (or get it created) your website. You should have an idea regarding the theme that you would like to follow before you engage someone to do the job for you as well. For instance, if you have a manufacturing staffing agency, the theme would be entirely different from that of a one offering IT staffing. So, my suggestion would be to think about your business and the way you wish to sell online before you decide the platform through which you want to create the website.
Deciding on whether you wish to go with a blogging website or an e-commerce one is essential, to begin with. Because both of them ask for different features to be present on your website. This is just an example. There are many other forms of websites too. Therefore, sit and think.
Working on Your Website’s Design
As mentioned before, the theme of the website matters a great deal. You may find yourself lost between the unlimited themes that a platform offers. And it is natural. However, you have to be smart while sifting through them. The best approach is to go with a simple and professional-looking theme. Apart from worrying about the site communicating your brand’s personality, you should also pay attention to customers’ ease of navigation.
The pre-made themes allow you to make changes as well. Some of the common ones that you can make in every theme include:
- Replacing the default logo with your company’s
- Changing the background apart from the font and menu
- Inserting and removing the content
- Showcasing the videos and images
Deciding What to Sell
You might decide to offer lesser products online or end up creating a different line of products for your online audience. Some brands even have ‘online exclusives’. Decide what you wish to sell online. Inventory management is not a difficult task for businesses offering services as they do not have one. However, companies that offer product should have a wise approach towards maintaining their inventory. Add the lightweight and top-selling items first to the e-commerce website.
Apart from that, you should make an effort to find about then products that shoppers frequently inquire about. Adding those products to the website will help to increase your online sales.
Addition of Content
The content of your website is crucial in deciding whether you will have a successful online platform or not. You will have to impress the people with your relevant and original content. As they cannot meet you in person. Failing to do so will lead them to another website that is offering the same products but is better than yours.
A website has an unlimited number of pages. And you can add content to all of them. However, your focus should be on the following:
- Home Page
- About Us
- Contact Page
- Product Page
- Returns Page
Setting up Payments
The customers will have to make payments for the products they purchase or the services they avail. Online payment methods are popular among people but customers are now using many other ways as well. Therefore, you will have to offer various payment solutions to please the customers.
Announcing Your Online Presence
When my friend started his telecommunications staffing agency, he not only asked friends to spread the word but took help from certain influencers and companies as well. You will have to do something similar. Because no one would know that you exist unless you make a conscious effort to inform them.
