Are you thinking about creating an online store? I congratulate you for that entrepreneurial spirit and for wanting to set up your own business.
Surely you have come here looking for a bit of information and support to launch your new project soon .
First of all, we are going to give you the first and most important piece of advice: research and read .
Yes, it may seem somewhat disconcerting due to the simplicity of the proposal, but it is really necessary. Search the Internet for all the advice you can. Compare data, figures, statistics, facts. If you want to launch your online business, our Lean Startup course will help you and if you are determined, you will like the content of this post, because we are going to talk about one of the best platforms to create online stores on the market: Shopify
If you can, and you also have the time and financial resources to do so, train yourself in online marketing . A virtual business can become a solid, effective and secure source of income, but to get there you first have to know how to design it and put it into operation.
Have you ever heard of ecommerce platforms to create online stores? Probably yes, but you still have too many doubts. Today I am here to tell you all about one of the ones that I like the most: Shopify .
Don’t lose detail, let’s start!
Main advantages and benefits of using ecommerce platforms
Why make (or not) use them?
That question runs through your head and it is absolutely normal. In order to make a firm decision, you must first be very clear about all the pros and cons, so before we start talking about Shopify, let’s go through them.
Once you have analyzed these factors well, you will be able to take a step forward in the elaboration of your strategy and you will be prepared to choose without hesitation what suits you best.
10 very interesting advantages… and a small drawback
In this section we are going to talk about
- One of the most recurring nightmares of the owners of this type of business is precisely the entire technologicalpart . When this problem disappears thanks to the platform, it is possible to focus on the true essence of trading and other management, leaving this concern aside. No more technical mess!
- Incorporating features and using the right toolssaves time and money, as well as optimizing sales.
- It is not necessary to be an expertor have years of experience in the digital world behind your back: beginners can perfectly handle the possibilities offered by the platform and get the most out of them.
- Fully customizingthe store page and all other sections is critical to creating a strong brand identity. The platform offers you a thousand options to make it a reality.
- Inventory managementfeatures include unlimited bandwidth, product registration, and customer data . You will never run out of space with the terrible consequences that something like this could lead to.
- Instagram, Amazon, Facebook, Wanelo or Lyst (among many others) are excellent sales channelsthat are available to you through the platform. Being unified in the same support, using them becomes a simple, fast and intuitive task. Connect with users from all over the world through a single site!
- Problems setting up credit card payments? Can’t you accept them directly? Ecommerce platforms effectively solve this issue without having external payment processors.
- The tricky subject of orders and ordersis also covered. Tracking and placing orders automatically through third-party apps is a piece of cake.
- As if all of the above were not enough, in addition, the risk of your initial investment is minimal because you have a reassuring trial period. In the case of Shopify, it is 14 days, more than enough time to check all the advantages on this list one by one, including the last one.
- I have left for last what I consider to be the most significant: the human factor. The customer serviceteam is here to help you with anything you may need.
You are no longer alone.
Also, when we talk about Shopify, the benefits do not end here. We could go on to tell you more about the ability to migrate from other platforms, access to the merchant community and learning resources, or marketing training and discounts you can take advantage of.
And the drawback?
Well, Shopify does not have free code and you have to pay a monthly fee, as if it were a subscription. Come on, the equivalent of what would be the rent of the premises for a physical store.
Is that very serious? I sincerely think not, but the best thing is that you try everything for yourself. Experiencing it in the first person is usually the best way, and also the preferred way for entrepreneurs like you to check it out.
How is it and how is Shopify used?
It is a very intuitive and easy to use platform . As I have already pointed out before, it is not necessary that you have any knowledge of design or programming.
What sense would all this make if you had to be a web development genius?
The control panel contains all the main functionalities and many of the secondary ones; can be described as complete. Thanks to it you can add new products, check reports and statistics of your business, integrate the blog, track customers or create discount coupons. And these are just a few examples.
Among the most interesting configuration options , we find the automation of processes through paid or free applications . There are more than 1,100 different ones, of all colors and for all tastes. Accounting, reporting, social media management and everything you may need to improve your site .
And speaking of applications, I do not want to miss the opportunity to tell you that you can have full access to the platform when you are not in the office, connecting from your phone or tablet to the Shopify Mobile application . Your store, in the palm of your hand!
Among the many resources that you will find inside you have the aforementioned app store , but also the store of templates, tools and free images and the community forums.
You have a brilliant idea, a product you trust, and a plan to get it all off the ground.
So what do you need to get started? Take note:
- Search and register your domain
- Choose aprofessional template among the 100 available for free. All themes are optimized for mobile devices.
- Customizeyour online store based on your brand concept.
Take a stroll through its windows and fill yourself with inspiration imagining how your own project could be born and grow. All of them are working like a charm and are achieving great notoriety.