Starting your own brand or creating a business can feel overwhelming, but it has never been easier with the latest online tools. Anyone can start their own business with just a few steps to get the ball rolling. The only thing that can hold you back is you.
5 Steps to sell your products online
1. So You Want To Be Your Own Boss
Creating a service or product idea is the first step, and this is not the only place you will hear this advice. Many will tell you to look up where the demand is and fulfill that. However, we say the first step is to find what you are passionate about, put your heart in that online business and it will drive you forward—preventing burnout.
Starting a company to sell products online and wanting to make an extra buck purely is one thing, but doing something you care about is quite another. It might be challenging, but it is worth more in the long run because you are working towards something you have more than a monetary value in.
So, whether you are selling handmade candles, consulting advice, or using a POD (Print on Demand) service to sell designs, being your own boss is more possible than it ever was before.
2. Name is the Game
Once you’ve figured out your product or service, you need a name, whether it is your own or a catchy business name.
When you approach naming anything, think of something quick and clever. Easy to spell. The names that are the easiest to remember perform better when it comes to customer searches via social media or search engines.
So, while you can name your business “Cat’s Pajamas n’ Hats,” it may be more ideal for saving some of those long words for your SEO (Search Engine Optimization) or Meta description, and instead, going with “Peachy Pets” or “Cat Co”. Fewer words the better.
Since we have mentioned SEO, a quick trend search can help you when it comes to naming searchability. If you find yourself stuck in the brainstorming process, this is a good place to start.
A final note on names. Looking up the rights to a name has never been easier. A quick Google search or looking up in your state’s business name registry lets you know if that name has been taken by another LLC or corporation. Always make sure that no one has the same name as your brand/company, so you aren’t asking for trouble down the line. Nowadays company’s can even buy the rights to hashtags, so keep that in mind when claiming rights to a name.
3. Choose Your Platform
Honestly, this is the most time-consuming part of the entire process. Creating your web presence with a website and finding the service that works best for you, and showing off your products online. You will get bombarded in your search with ads for this or that service promising the best and more trusted this or that, but really you need to dip your toes into the water without dropping a ton of cash right away.
You want to get used to this new environment before making the big investment. Especially if you are an individual starting a company with little to no money, you really don’t want to start digging the hole now. One of the most affordable options available is Ownwebsite. As a beginner, you only have to pay $3.00 a month to start up a website and begin the process of laying out a place for you to show off and sell your products online.
The beginner level doesn’t include E-commerce just yet; it is a great starting point to see if you like working within Ownwebsite. The web builder includes a drag and drop interface. Honestly, this is the best option for a beginner. It takes some time, but it’s never been easier to build a website. This is coming from someone who has used WordPress, Wix, and Shopify. Out of all those options, not even half give you the best ability to start selling your products online without too much hassle and additional costs. This is why we will focus purely on Ownwebsite, as out of all of the other platforms listed, it gives you the most bang for your buck.
The Easy site Builder
To start with, Ownwebsite has over 200 templates to choose from, and that’s for all pay levels; this is a lot more than a lot of other drag and drop builders that force you to not only pay for a monthly subscription but, on top of it, charges more for templates.
All levels even include a free domain for a year! Domains typically don’t cost a lot based on the popularity of the domain name, but right off the bat, you are saving $10-20 dollars in your first year as a business by going with Ownwebsite.
Let’s say you need to start listing your product online. Ownwebsite.com has an E-commerce level that is just as affordable and even lower than a lot of competitors. Now we recommend starting with the lowest level to explore the features and getting used to the web builder and all that good stuff before investing in the eCommerce level, but honestly, again, it’s still a great deal at $15.00 a month.
4. Show off Your Work
You have a website. Now you need content. Almost as important as the website itself, is showing your products online off to the best of your ability. This means taking clear photos that show off your brand’s aesthetic. Ask yourself what the mood you want to convey is? Did you go ahead with that Cat Co? You might want some bright and happy photos of your products.
On another note, You don’t have to go out of the way to buy that super expensive camera, as most smartphones have just as great photo-taking abilities. You do need to note some photography basics! Check out this adobe blog on some quick photography tips, ignoring #2 because you can do so much with your phone nowadays. No need to drop $500 or more when you have a fancy smartphone.
5. Reach Your Audience
Now you have everything set up, you are ready to sell your products online. Where is your audience? Social Media has given traditional marketing strategies a run for their money. You can do it all right from your phone. Feels powerful, right?
Start with the basics, make a Facebook page for your business, and list the products there on their new store catalog to redirect to your new site. Get that Pinterest rolling with those fancy photos you took, adding the SEO you researched at your brainstorming stage into the hashtags and description.
Hop on Tiktok and do some packaging videos and show off that Metal Cat sweater on your favorite pet model.
While having multiple platforms can be a hassle, just think, you can easily reuse the same post and copy on every platform, making the visibility of your products online easier than ever before.
Be Your Own Boss
The tools to your success are out there. Selling products online or services isn’t hard anymore. All the information is a simple search away to your self-built success. Drive yourself by getting passionate about your brand or business. Find a name for yourself that represents you and your values.
Summary
Choose the right tools that work for you, and don’t dig yourself into a hole doing it. Generate your style and vibes and let the world see it all on social media. There is no reason for you not to get started. So get to it with Ownwebsite’s Easy site builder or reach out to our us for a free consultation.