Things to Do Before Starting E-commerce

E-commerce has become an indispensable part of the world we live in. Especially after Covid-19, e-commerce has seen an increased audience worldwide, making it not only a standalone sector but also a platform where all sectors should be present.

Ensure You're Making the Right Decision

Your idea might seem perfect to you and your immediate circle initially. However, things don't necessarily work that way in e-commerce. Have you conducted a good and comprehensive analysis? Is there a demand for what you're offering? Is my capital sufficient for this? What are the risks? Revisit these questions and if your answers satisfy you not only spiritually but also financially, continue to stand by your idea. Recognizing that some things need changing or restarting, even before starting anything, can be highly beneficial.

Don’t Hesitate to Invest in Your Site

You may be right in assuming that you don't need a highly professional site at the beginning of the process. However, the website should not be a section where you cut corners when it comes to investment. Instead, use software that you can later modify and won't cause problems for you in the future. Therefore, if you trust your developer, do not hesitate to invest in your site.

Understand Your Target Audience

Make sure who you're producing the product or service for and who you want to buy it. This will be a crucial detail in all kinds of advertising and communication efforts when introducing yourself. Do not start anything without knowing this.

Don't Neglect SEO

We live in an era where people ask even for the time on search engines. If you want to make money online, you need to be at the top of search engines because that will make you the preferred choice. Therefore, do not forget to include the right keywords on your website and blog. If necessary, consult an expert for this.

Be Careful When Choosing the Payment System

The payment system to be used on your site must be secure and usable for both your payments and your customers' payments. If you want to sell with a credit card, don’t forget to apply for virtual POS from banks. If you want to sell with alternative payment systems (PayU, BKM Express, etc.) or through wire transfers, create the necessary accounts.

Do Not Overlook the Importance of Social Media

In recent years, the use of social media has reached an incredibly high rate regardless of age, making it a great opportunity for e-commerce sites. However, it poses a great risk for wrong moves as well. Therefore, do not underestimate social media, showcase your difference from your competitors to your followers, and measure returns with professional help.

Create a Mobile-Compatible Site

Despite wanting to avoid clichés such as "this is the year of mobile," the fact is that in recent years, the number of transactions made on mobile has surpassed those made on desktop. This means that the appearance and ease of use of your site on mobile are just as important as on desktop. Build your software considering this.

Conduct a Thorough Analysis of Your Competitors

You want to embark on e-commerce in any field, but someone had already started selling similar things before you. Conduct a good analysis of all your big and small competitors and focus on the features where you're stronger than them. Focus on why people should choose you over them and make sure to emphasize these features in the right places.

Keep Your Customers Happy

Everyone who does business, from street vendors to large-scale merchants, knows that the customer should be kept happy. The concerns about "getting used to the experience" or "being satisfied with your experience" offline should be reflected online as well. As the simplest examples, free shipping, gift vouchers for a certain amount, and opportunities to benefit can be given. Of course, you can be more creative; it's entirely up to you...

Do Not Skip Security

We talked about the importance of having a good software infrastructure and not hesitating to spend money on it. At this stage, it's also essential not to forget cybersecurity and take precautions from the beginning. This is, of course, a topic that you need to discuss primarily with your developer.