5 Things You Need to Do Before Launching an E-Commerce Store

With the ease and convenience that online shopping offers, it’s not hard to imagine why so many people are choosing to buy from e-commerce stores rather than brick-and-mortar shops nowadays. Especially during this time of uncertainty and social distancing, more and more people are going the online shopping route—and this may have you thinking about starting your own e-commerce store. But before you launch your e-commerce store, there are a few important questions you need to ask yourself.

Which platform are you going to use?

First things first, you need to decide which platform you’re going to host your shop on—there are seemingly endless options these days so it’s important to do your research. When looking at different e-commerce platforms, you need to decide between using an existing shop software or using something custom.

Using an existing shop software can have many benefits, like being seen as reputable to customers and having access to customer service, but going the custom route can have benefits, too, like being able to build the shop site just as you want. Either way, you need to make the decision you think is right for your needs.

How are you going to handle customer service?

You need to offer exceptional customer service if you want your online shop to succeed. So you need to make sure you have the right software to help you handle customer inquiries—using an omnichannel call center software solution can make managing customer service a breeze. When consumers reach out, whether it’s on the phone, through an online chat, or through email, they can quickly be directed to a customer service representative who has the knowledge needed to answer their question. And if you need to adhere to the Payment Card Industry Data Security Standard regulations, you need the right contact center solution. Investing in a PCI compliant call center software will help ensure you’re keeping personal data safe and handling card payments securely.

What kind of goals will you set?

Every business needs a strategic plan that involves determining and working towards specific goals—this type of plan helps your business stay on track and can keep the entire organization on the same page. Fortunately, an OKR tool can help you set and meet your goals. An OKR software system will help you decide which objectives the team wants to work towards, choose reasonable deadlines, and figure out how you’ll measure success with key results. This system works by keeping team members working together towards the same goal so productivity can be maximized.

What will your product descriptions include?

When shopping online, consumers need detailed descriptions of items so they know exactly what they’re buying—product descriptions are crucial since customers can’t physically see or hold the product before they buy it. You need to take some time and think about what your product descriptions will include. You should include information regarding materials, function, and size along with high-quality pictures of the items. Having good product descriptions is the best way to get sales.

How are your products going to be delivered?

Once consumers start buying your products, you’ll need to be able to get them delivered. You need to make sure the delivery process is quick and efficient, so you should choose a reliable delivery service—whether you and your small team are packaging items yourself and sending them through the mail or having a third-party facility manage orders, offering the best delivery system possible will help keep your customers happy. You should also incorporate offering delivery tracking and different shipping options into your company’s best practices to boost customer satisfaction. What is a 3PL? Third-Party Logistics Definition, Process & Resources provides a comprehensive overview of outsourcing order fulfillment.

Launching an e-commerce store takes some time, but it’s worth the effort. So keep these tips in mind to ensure your store has the best chance at being successful as possible.