Selling online is big business today. A whole world of shoppers is scrolling right now – looking for everything from cozy home décor to their next favorite coffee or hot sauce.
The ease of getting started with an ecommerce business is a big factor for many aspiring entrepreneurs, too. There is no costly brick-and-mortar shop to lease, so you can get up and running in less time and with less expense. You can even start your business as a side hustle if you still have a full-time job, and then ramp up your online business with each successful sale.
Before you get started selling online, you’ll need to decide a key item: what you’re going to sell. If making candles is already a favorite hobby, why not turn it into a business? The key is to find your niche – because with so many options out there, your candles should be the ones that catch people’s attention and keep them coming back for more.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through the seven secrets to online selling success – from choosing the right platform and understanding your audience to optimizing your product presentation and using social media effectively. You’ll also learn how to create a seamless shopping experience, build lasting customer relationships, and keep your business innovative and competitive. Whether you’re just getting started or looking to refine your strategy, these steps will help you stand out in the crowded online marketplace.
But first, you’ll want to…
Make a Plan
It’s a smart move to make a business plan to help you think about everything your ecommerce business needs to succeed – from production and pricing to marketing and customer experience. If you’re not sure where to start, Guidant Financial has a handy guide that can help.
With plenty of platforms available to host your ecommerce business, it’s worth taking a moment to think about what you’re selling online, how your business will operate, and which type of platform best suits your needs. Some platforms are ideal for handcrafted or niche products, while others cater to larger-scale retail. Here are a few popular options to consider:
- Amazon – Ideal for those looking to sell at scale, Amazon gives you access to millions of customers, but be prepared for competition and platform fees.
- eBay – A great choice for selling unique, used, or collectible items, as well as bulk goods with an auction-style or fixed-price format.
- Etsy – The go-to marketplace for handmade, vintage, and creative goods, making it perfect for artisans and small-scale creators looking to reach a passionate audience.
- Facebook Marketplace – An easy and cost-effective way to reach local buyers and tap into a massive social media audience.
- Shopify – A powerful, all-in-one selling online solution with customizable themes, secure payment options, and a user-friendly interface for beginners and experienced sellers alike.
- Square – Great for businesses that sell both online and in person, offering seamless point-of-sale integration with an easy-to-use online store.
- Squarespace – Known for its sleek, modern templates, Squarespace is perfect for ecommerce businesses that want a beautifully designed store with built-in marketing tools.
Keep reading to learn the seven secrets to successful online selling and take your ecommerce business to the next level.
Want to know how to launch an online store? Follow these eight simple steps to get started.
Secrets to Success Selling Online: Top Ecommerce Business Tips
1. Know Your Audience
Sticking with the candle example, you’ll want to do some research to understand who your ideal customers are and what they’re looking for. Talk to people you know. Which age group usually purchases the most candles? Where do they put them? You can look to your LinkedIn colleagues, family, and friends to gather some information – and do your research online.
If you want to engage in a small market research project, you can do that too. The Small Business Administration (SBA) website has a helpful section on market research, including questions to ask, how to perform a competitive analysis, and free data on small business trends by industry.
2. Tailor Your Products to Your Target Customers
Now that you know most online candle buyers are women between 30 and 50, for example, you can tailor your products to their preferences. If these customers are giving candles as gifts for holidays and birthdays, maybe you’ll want to produce special candles for those events.
At this point, anything you can do to make your products relevant to your audience will be helpful to make yours stand out in the industry.
3. Optimize Product Presentation
How do your candles look? Are they in a nicely designed box with a ribbon? Does everything go together?
Make sure your product presentation is top-notch to establish your brand. That way, prospective customers will come to know exactly what your product is – even when they just see the box or perhaps see a candle at someone else’s home.
Also, the images you use on your website or shopping platform should be high-resolution, and product descriptions should be clear and engaging to grab the customer’s attention.
4. Use Social Media
When you’re selling online candles, you need to get the word out – and social media is a powerful tool you can use to do that. With a simple website and a little marketing, you can start strong. Remember: Social media is a free, quick way to spread the word and connect with customers.
You can plan out a calendar or campaign and upload photos and text to various social media channels such as Instagram, Facebook, and more. You can even use free Canva services to create your social media ads and content. And, don’t forget: AI-powered tools like Hootsuite can make managing your social media and marketing campaigns easier.
Marketing is key – especially in tough times. Here’s how to get your business noticed and keep customers coming back.
5. Make it a Seamless Experience
As mentioned earlier, choosing the right selling platform is key to your ecommerce business’s success. If you’re using Shopify to sell your candles, you’ll want to make sure your sales are handled through the platform and links direct customers there. A smooth, hassle-free buying experience from start to finish will leave customers satisfied and more likely to return.
Another way to simplify the shopping experience is by offering free shipping – removing that extra cost can make purchasing from you even more convenient and appealing.
6. Nurture Your Customer Relationships
Getting new customers is exciting and important for growth, but keeping them coming back is where the real magic happens. Imagine if you keep customers coming back for years – or decades – buying your candles for every special occasion they encounter. That will make for a lot of sales!
To do this, provide incentives to stick with you. Maybe there’s a percentage off or a buy one, get one free at a certain point. You can even make a short email newsletter and highlight customers and thank them for their business or host a spring event for customers. Anything you can do, from content marketing to events, will go a long way with your loyal customers.
Just getting started in marketing? These six tips will help you build a strong foundation and get your business noticed.
7. Innovate and Adapt to Stay Competitive
Now that you have a steady stream of customers – new and established – you’ll want to find ways to stay innovative and adapt in your market. Maybe candle sellers are now using special wicks that are locally sourced. Or perhaps you want to move into the birthday cake candle product range.
Whatever you do, keep thinking of new ideas and trying them out to stay relevant in your industry and keep your customers excited about your products.
Getting Started Selling
Selling online can be competitive, but that’s no reason to be shy. If anything, it’s even more reason to use these selling online secrets to make your business stand out! From knowing your audience to providing a seamless experience and utilizing social media, you’re already seven steps closer to success.
And remember, you don’t have to do it alone. Whether you need funding to launch or scale your business, or administrative support, Guidant Financial is here to help. With expert guidance and tailored financial solutions, we make it easy to build and grow your business – on your terms.
Need funding for your business? Guidant Financial can help – get started by pre-qualifying today.
“Guidant is our one-stop shop for us to do it all. And I will say that one of the characteristics of Guidant that I really appreciate is the commitment to service and getting it right.”
— Tom Gonzalez, Woof Academy
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