Many people dream of being their own boss. Of getting rid of the commute to work, the traffic, the headaches, the workday stress, horrible bosses and snippy coworkers. It’s a dream that for many people is becoming a reality, but as with everything, there are pros and cons. Owning a website business and working from home has many advantages nearly too innumerable to count: making your own hours, being your own boss, being there for children, being there for a spouse, working in your skivvy’s, etc. But working from home and being your own boss can’t work for everyone. For one thing, many people don’t have the discipline to move the right mountains and keep them moving. Sleeping and television may be too big of a draw for some people, and being forced to travel to work and stay there for eight hours might be the only way they can make their money. So, how can you know if you have what it takes to be your own boss by owning a website business? WebsiteClosers.com, experienced online business broker has some tips:
eCommerce has made it easier than today to become your own boss. By either launching your own online business or buying an existing one, you can become your own boss. eCommerce has transformed the business landscape to the point where anyone can operate an online shop from their home, without the need for stocking inventory, without employees, or even an office.
The challenge, of course, is that not everyone succeeds in this competitive environment. The U.S. Small Business Administration estimates that the failure rate for global eCommerce companies is about 90%. It takes a lot of hard work, and careful planning, to be among the ones that succeed.
However, many have. So, it’s important to learn from the ones who have succeeded at achieving their dream of becoming their own boss, and becoming a winner in eCommerce.
If you’re interested in launching a brand-new business, here are some tips for the best way to do it.
First, be certain you have an amazing website.
Designing a great eCommerce website is your first crucial step, and it’s virtually impossible to operate a successful eCommerce business without one. If your website is difficult to navigate or poorly designed, visitors will bail within seconds.
Designing an attractive, user-friendly, easy-to-navigate eCommerce site can be challenging – and essential to your success. Consider hiring eCommerce web design experts or use platforms such as Amazon and Shopify that know exactly how to help you grow your business.
The next key step is to find the right products to sell. The best option is products that are in high demand but have low competition. Look for products that offer value for the customers’ money. Rather than settle on one product, consider product diversification. Merchants on Amazon are used to finding multiple products to offer customers, which helps expand their repeat customer rate and upsells, as well as attract new buyers.
Once you have an eCommerce website and have chosen your products, devote some time and energy to thinking about the customer experience. Understanding the customer experience is a critical part of this process. Shopify and Google can provide you with analytics data to better understand what brought your customers to your website, while launching social media platforms can help you boost engagement with customers and get much-needed feedback on what they like about your shop and what they think needs improvement.
You can also ask customers to sign up for an email newsletter and use it to promote special sales and upcoming deals, and to boost upsells. These digital marketing tools have proven invaluable when it comes to attracting customers and driving sales higher.
Your marketing plan is a key part of the process of running a successful eCommerce company. You can connect with buyers using:
These are proven ways to be certain the right buyers will see your products and that you can attract your key customer demographics.
It’s also important to learn from your competition. You want from day one to stand out compared to the competition and convince your buyers that you provide superior products and service and that you can excel where they don’t.
Start by learning from your rivals and see what they’re doing right – and wrong. Knowing what rivals do poorly is key to helping you adapt accordingly and improve your site.
The benefits of entrepreneurship have been well-established for decades. They include:
Those benefits have been around for a long time. However, eCommerce has altered the landscape in that it has become an enormously powerful tool for small business owners. The benefits of being an entrepreneur with an eCommerce store are significant compared to the days when business owners opened shops in a special location or launched a franchise.
eCommerce also encompasses an increasingly wide number of verticals and industries. It is no longer just selling traditional retail products like clothing or home goods. Today, there’s a vast range of products and services available online, and entrepreneurs can launch a business focused on DTC (direct-to-customer) sales, B2B (business-to-business), or a combination of both. Other companies target their services to state or municipal governments, private organizations, and other specific entities.
One of the biggest benefits of eCommerce is the ease of setting up an online shop. There is no hunting for a suitable retail location or office space, paying monthly rent, and managing a warehouse for your inventory. Today, entrepreneurs can run an online business from their laptops in the comfort of their own homes, operate without employees or simply with the help of virtual assistants, and use Dropshipping (where their manufacturers ship the products directly to buyers).
This means the benefits include:
There are a lot of moving parts and changing elements in the eCommerce world, so make sure you focus on the best elements that matter in this industry. That includes coming up with the best pricing points to remain competitive and help your products stand out.
Today there are a lot of opportunities for people to become self-employed and become their own boss. There are plenty of skills that come in handy for anyone who wants to be self-employed today, including some that don’t require a college degree. They include:
For those ready to break away from the traditional 9-to-5 job and enjoy the freedom of being their boss, there are a growing number of one-person business ideas available today. The rise of solopreneurship has presented unique opportunities for people looking to leverage their expertise on their own. They get flexibility in their scheduling, a stronger work-life balance, and the ability to choose their work hours. They can also work on projects they know they’re good at and that match their interests and can work from anywhere.
One other field that entrepreneurs can go into is opening an eCommerce shop. It’s easier than ever to become your boss by starting an online business from your home and running it from your laptop, through a well-executed website. As a solopreneur, these eCommerce entrepreneurs are directly reaping the benefits of their hard work and enjoying the full financial benefits as well.
Before you jump into becoming your own boss, some early steps are important to take. To be your boss, first determine what you want to do, and then start a business plan. There are financial advisors that can help you achieve both goals.
You need to assess what the financial needs will be for your business, and consider taking courses on running a business, including ones available online.
Create an identity for your business – your brand, if you will. These are important first steps on the path to running your own company.
Consider the skills you have and use them to enhance your new business. Starting a business based on your expertise is a smart path forward.
Then consider what customers want. Start a business that caters to high demand for a particular product or service. Find ways to solve problems for customers. In effect, you’re selling them a solution.
Determine exactly who your target audience is. Identify the people most likely to show an interest in your products. It’s important to profile your potential customers and understand their typical behavior, then find the most effective marketing channels to reach them.
Market research will help your new business compete. Focus on issues such as:
Finally, evaluate the potential strengths and weaknesses of your business. This can help you make smart decisions about how the business is run, and create a long-term informed strategy, which is going to improve your chances of success.
And finally: Good luck!