Boostbery have helped many people start their own online business and prosper from an independent channel that lets them be their own boss.
Together with their owners we have brainstormed, defined and crafted online brands, and built websites on scalable, easy-to-manage platforms that have gone on to produce real results. Our creative team brings a set of skills that combine to give a new online business the best possible start.
TL;DR
- Buying has moved online, and businesses that have made the move are future-proofing themselves.
- A crossroads in your working life can be the moment to start the online business you always wanted.
- There are five steps: decide what to sell, research the market, build a memorable brand, build the website, then promote it.
- Get the brand and the platform right first and the store can grow while you concentrate on the rest of the business.
Why start an online business now?
You may have always wanted to start an eCommerce store of your own, selling clothing, online courses, health and beauty, food and drink, or anything else; the list is endless. Perhaps the time was never right, or other commitments got in the way of giving it proper thought.
Design your online business so that it helps to service your ultimate lifestyle.
Seeing the positives in a bad situation
Nobody foresaw the events of 2020. The way we all operate and communicate day to day was disrupted, and we have seen a huge shift in the way people function and interact, which has forced businesses to adapt and transact far more online.
Companies that have struggled to move online are being left behind, or worse, having to fold. Businesses that are already online, or making the transition, are not only future-proofing themselves but are able to make the most of the situation.
Using a crossroads in life to change direction
You may be in a position of limbo, perhaps on furlough or even out of work. Whatever your situation, you have probably had time to reassess where you are in life and what is important to you from here. Taking ownership of your own working destiny can help you feel back in control of a situation that is otherwise firmly out of your hands.
So, is now your time? Is now the moment to start the online business you have always wanted? Pick up the phone and have a chat with us about the process of getting a new (or existing) brand and website up and running.
Steps to start an online business
To organise your thoughts and start moving in the right direction, here are the five steps that give a new online business a framework to kick off from.
- Identify a product or service
What will you sell online? Do some serious research here, because it is the linchpin the whole business grows around. It may be something that resonates with you, a gap you have spotted in the market, or something you believe you can do better than someone already doing it.
- Research and analyse the market
Understand exactly what you are up against, how to stand out from the crowd and how to appeal to your target market. Getting this step right can make or break an online business.
- Create a memorable brand
A brand is the framework the whole business is built on. The right one gives employees clarity and vision, gives customers confidence and consistency, and gives you a robust platform to build on. It is the single most important investment you can make in your business.
- Build the website
With a name and brand in place, the website is the outlet that tells the world you are open and ready to sell. Start with workshops on what you want visitors to experience when they land, so they become not just customers but returning fans. Choose a platform that is scalable, light-touch, secure and easy to manage.
- Start promoting
Once the brand and website are built, promotion is how the store starts earning. Social media marketing, paid advertising, SEO and email campaigns all act as a catalyst for a new online business.
We can help at every step, from rationalising the initial idea and carrying out the market research, through creating the brand and building the store, to running the marketing that brings customers to it. For more on why the brand comes before the website, read Why Branding is so Important for your Business.
Got an idea for an online store but not sure where to begin? Talk it through with us; the first conversation costs nothing.
Start your online journey today
We believe that, more than ever, businesses that trade online are set up to succeed, so why wait? Give us a call to discuss your ideas, no matter how small. We create beautiful brands and bespoke websites, and deliver strategies that empower our clients, generate results and help them grow.
Open a conversation with one of our team about getting your own eCommerce business started at hello@boostbery.com or call us on 01273 582 222.
Good to know
FAQs
Deciding what you will sell. Research it seriously, because the product or service is the linchpin the business grows around, whether it is something you care about, a gap in the market, or something you can do better than existing sellers.
The brand. It is the framework that gives customers confidence and gives you a consistent platform to build on; the website is then the outlet that shows the world you are open for business.
Promote it. Social media marketing, paid advertising, SEO and email campaigns all act as a catalyst for a new online business once the brand and website are in place.
Next step
Ready to be your own boss?
From the first brainstorm to brand, eCommerce website and launch marketing, we help new online businesses start on the right foundations.