If you are looking for the answer to the question “how to set up an e-commerce business from scratch?”, then you can stop looking. You have just found it. This is a common question among people who have always worked in the job market, but now want to have their own company.
In general, this doubt plagues people who are trying to learn how to sell online.
Whether for these or other cases, we have put together a guide that answers this question, which has the following 10 steps:
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Then you can read more about each of these steps. Check out!
GUIDE: HOW TO BUILD AN E-COMMERCE FROM ZERO
To build a successful e-commerce from scratch, you will have to:
1 - Read, study and develop an “entrepreneurial conscience”:
This is the first step.
It's the beginning of your “Big-Bang” e-commerce.
So read everything you can about entrepreneurship.
The Google dictionary defines entrepreneurship as the “willingness or ability to idealize, coordinate and carry out projects, services and businesses”.
That's exactly what you need to learn right now.
Well, as a kick-off, I recommend that you read the book “The secret of Luísa”, by Fernando Dolabela.
This book is a bestseller in the field of Business Administration.
By reading it, you will understand how the entrepreneurship process with a Business Plan works.
With a Business Plan, you can plan first and implement later.
But wait, there is another method.
After reading “Luisa's secret”, read also the books “A Lean Startup”, by Eric Ries, and “Start Your Lean Startup”, by Ash Maurya, or others of the same genre.
Through these last two works, you will learn what it is like to set up a company in which the planning and practical execution of entrepreneurship processes occur simultaneously.
When finished, you will have a very comprehensive awareness of what entrepreneurship is.
2 - Read, study and develop an “e-commerce awareness”:
After conquering an “entrepreneurial conscience” it is time to also obtain an “e-commerce conscience”.
To do so, read books that address the main aspects of the sector, such as management, logistics and the implementation of e-commerce, for example.
Study the E-commerce Law and understand the legislation in this business area.
Take one or more e-commerce courses at ComSchool , one of the best e-commerce schools in Brazil.
3 - Research, analyze and choose a niche:
Now you know what entrepreneurship is and you know a little about e-commerce.
In this way, with this knowledge base, it will be possible for you to choose a business niche with a good demand and that has not yet been explored much.
If you find this promising niche and somehow feel like you can get into it, then your chances of growing and succeeding will be much higher.
4 - Think, sketch and plan a company:
Once you've chosen a business niche, start planning your business.
As already studied in topic 1, you know two ways to do this, they are:
Choose your method of entrepreneurship and press “start”, that is, start!
5 - get funding:
Perhaps you don't have that much money to invest in e-commerce.
If that's the case for you, then you'll need a little outside help to get started.
Seek financing from BNDES or get help from a partner, take out a loan, meet development agencies and angel investors.
Did you know that there are over 7 angel investors in Brazil willing to invest at least R$ 50?
So it is!
Finally, have your way!
6 - Open a company:
You are learning how to build an e-commerce from scratch.
However, at this point, you already know what entrepreneurship is, you know the e-commerce market, you chose a niche and you have a plan.
Also, not least, it has backing from an investor.
So now is the time to open an e-commerce company.
Opening a company is fundamental in e-commerce, because only in this way can your online store have a CNPJ ( Brazilian tax ID) and issue invoices to consumers.
To start a business properly, hire a good accountant.
7 - Create an online store:
A crucial step in the process of setting up an e-commerce, the virtual store is the most modern instrument for online sales.
To create a virtual store, you will first need to choose an e-commerce platform.
There are dozens of them on the market, however I advise choosing a top-of-the-line option like VTEX , for example, which will allow you to grow without electronic infrastructure obstacles.
In other words, VTEX provides more scalability for your business.
Furthermore, to create an online store, you will need the help of an e-commerce implementation service from an e-commerce agency.
8 - Conduct Marketing Campaigns:
Once the virtual store is up and running, you will have to publicize it.
Do you know how to advertise products online?
Do you know how to advertise for e-commerce?
Whatever your answer to these questions, know that Marketing must be done without interruption, because only then will you be able to drive visitors to your virtual store.
The more visitors, the more sales you can make.
In Brazil, every 100 unique visitors only 1 purchase.
So, define your e-commerce sales goals and you'll soon know how much you need to invest in marketing.
If needed, hire a Digital Marketing Management service.
9 - Sell, deliver and verify customer satisfaction:
As soon as the Marketing campaigns are activated, your virtual store will receive visitors and make sales.
At this point, your delivery and returns policy should have already been developed.
It may have some minor flaws, of course.
However, resolve them as soon as you notice them.
After you deliver, call or email your customers to see if they are satisfied.
This concern for customer satisfaction can build loyalty and make them come back to buy more from your online store in the future.
10 - Optimize, diversify and grow:
Your e-commerce platform or integrated systems such as Google Analytics, ERPs and WMSs, for example, will generate different types of reports, which will allow you to verify the performance of your online business.
Review these reports and find points that need improvement.
In effect, optimize everything you can.
If your e-commerce business is experiencing strong growth, take advantage of this opportunity to diversify your product line.
Focus primarily on the continuous improvement and growth of your e-commerce business.
CONCLUSION: HOW TO BUILD AN E-COMMERCE FROM ZERO
To set up an e-commerce from scratch, first invest in knowledge.
Then, dedicate yourself to planning.
Then get investment and buy the technology.
Next, build the e-commerce or put it to work.
Finally, pursue continuous optimization.
