With so many side hustle ideas flying around, many have turned to setting up an online store. It seems that everybody has thought about selling items online to make a bit of extra money. But while it may be a popular practice, is it a good idea to launch an online stores these days, and what should we all consider if we are heading down this route?
Ease of entry
Most e-commerce businesses are straightforward to set up because of the wide variety of platforms and tools. I started selling on Etsy and then expanded to other platforms and this website. Even if you don’t necessarily understand the various payment gateways for eCommerce businesses, it is a relatively straightforward process to start online businesses.
A personalized experience for the customer
It’s never been easier to provide personalized shopping experiences — from numerous e-commerce platform providers offering users the ability to change their layouts to suit their branding and products to using customer data to provide personalized experiences. For small Etsy sellers, it can be as simple as personalizing a thank you note for a purchase. Customer satisfaction often turns into loyalty.
Lower costs
An online store is a cost-effective solution to a physical brick-and-mortar store. It has a lower barrier to entry for many people, making the dream of owning a business more accessible to more people. Typical business owners who run a physical store need to pay utilities, rent, and of course, employees. An e-commerce shop is a more manageable approach, a very enticing prospect for any budding entrepreneur.
The convenience factor
Convenient for both businesses and customers, online stores can create comfortable commerce. Customers can buy items from their own homes and business owners can manage their operations remotely. Because so many people look to start up their own online store but feel intimidated by the prospect of setting up a physical store or having to deal with the numerous financial implications, the secret ingredient of any online store is its convenience. It certainly requires store owners to be more flexible, but for any person looking to sell a handful of items as a side hustle or in addition to another job, they can do so effortlessly.
An easy way to promote
It’s become easier than ever for owners of online stores to promote their products to reach their desired audience. Beyond social media, e-commerce platforms offer many marketing tools.
Many people are setting up online stores these days, and it can certainly seem that it is an oversaturated market. But if you are looking for some form of freedom, but also are hunting for a streamlined way of getting into business, an online store is undoubtedly one of the best solutions.
Marette Flora is the founder of Floradise blog and personalized gift shop. Marette is a passionate storyteller and creator. She attended the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism at Arizona State University and obtained a bachelor’s degree in journalism and mass communication.
She is passionate about creating helpful and meaningful things.