You should be aware of (if you’re not tired of) the effects of the COVID-19 virus. Toilet paper issues apart, reports show a significant rise in the closing of traditional firms. Instead of dwelling over the harm,, pain, and uncertainty, think about moving your business online to ensure that you succeed and grow in these difficult economic times.
In a time when consumers can’t go out to their favorite stores, having an online presence is more crucial than ever. While there’s seen a dramatic change in how people spend their money, they’re still online and purchasing items that will allow them to adjust to the new standard. Making your Business more online will help you bring in the much-needed income to help keep your operations running.
To help you transition your brick-and-mortar shop from “temporarily closed until further notice” to a thriving online business, we’ve compiled the steps you can take to help you get your business up and running.
Purchase a domain name
Domain registration is the first step in bringing your company online. It is ideal for the domain name to match your company name. For $15-$20, you could buy a domain for the entire year.
To purchase a domain, look up the name of your Business on an online marketplace for buying parts. Shopify provides a platform that lets customers purchase and manage their fields. It is also possible to search for alternative domain names if your name is already used.
Shopify’s domain purchasing platform allows you to select the standard, top, and country-specific domain extensions. If you’re looking for the “.com” version of your preferred name isn’t offered, then you can sign up with the “.net” or “.co” extension to your name that is not available online.
Create an online site after registering a domain name; you’re now ready to begin creating your site. Choosing the platform to host your content is one of the most critical steps in setting up a website. Be aware of your expectations when selling online before deciding on the forum or program that best fits your needs.
For instance, if you provide Interior design and decorating services, you may consider starting your blog to offer tips for renovating or giving information on selecting furniture. This will increase your credibility and allow you to accept online reservations.
However, if you intend to sell items on your site, you must sign up with an e-commerce platform. Platforms such as Shopify are straightforward to set up and use. Sign up and then you can start designing your site and begin selling immediately.
If you know the goals you wish to accomplish by launching your site, then you can pick the kind of platform that can bring you towards your goal.
The site’s design is being developed
When you begin to take your Business online, your web platform will probably provide you with various designs (or templates) to pick from. Choose a straightforward, professionally developed theme, and add changes over time if you want to. It is essential to ensure that your design is not just a reflection of your company’s personality. However, it’s also simple for users to navigate.
You can do a lot with pre-designed themes to ensure that your website is in line with your brand’s image. Many templates permit you to make the following modifications:
Replacing the standard logo with your logo.
Change the font, background, and menu navigation.
Remove or insert content on different pages on the site.
Include social media links to the footer and header.
Include an email sign-up form or a link.
Showcase the latest product videos and images.
How adaptable these modifications are can differ across platforms, with solutions such as Shopify, which allow sellers to integrate their brand’s image on their sites.
Choose what you want to offer for sale
Another thing to do before bringing your company online is to determine what you will sell out of your current products.
Although service-based businesses don’t need concerns with storage or transportation, bricks and mortars might need to reduce their inventory to cut costs.
When deciding which products to sell, you should first add your most popular selling and lightweight products to your online store. Also, consider what products people inquire about or ask for the most. In this way, you might be likely to discover new items which will boost your shop’s revenue.
If you do not have the resources to store new inventory or store it, you can utilize dropshipping software similar to the DSers to locate suppliers who can manage everything from storage to delivery.
Dropshipping allows you to market as many items as you want without storing your inventory in the home. The majority of online marketplaces have dropshipping applications which offer a variety of goods.
Get your legal ducks in a row
The fact that you’re operating your business online does not mean that you’re not subject to regular legal requirements. In reality, you could be required to comply with some additional requirements based on how you intend to conduct your Business. Here are a few essential legal requirements to sell items and services over the Internet.
Commercial license
There’s no separate license for Online Business. This means you can apply for the same permit when you registered your brick-and-mortar or LLC. However, you might have to apply for a Home Occupation Permit if you intend to operate your Business from home. It is suggested that you check the List of the SBA of permits and licenses from states that can aid you in identifying a key specific to your area.
DBA License
If your Business online will operate completely differently from the traditional Business, then you must obtain a DBA (Doing Business as) license. You could apply for the DBA through your state’s government, depending on the place state in which your Business is incorporated.
Obligations to pay taxes
It is also necessary to apply to get your EIN (employee ID number) to ensure that the IRS can tax the transactions you make. In addition, you may have to pay sales tax if you intend to sell products or services in an area that is a sales or use tax-exempt state.
Privacy of data
If your Business can collect customers’ information, you’ll be required to post a privacy notice that clarifies what you will and will not do with that data. Additionally, you might have to adhere to the GDPR laws that oblige you to display an informational disclaimer about gathering personal data.
Update your website with content
Content is essential to get your company online. Since people can’t visit your site on the ground, your best method to give them an understanding of your company is to write quality content. Include content on the most crucial web pages to let people know your company’s background and learn about your services or products.