Customers expect to buy online, whether it’s a product, a gift card, a reservation or a service deposit. With the holiday shopping season approaching, many local businesses are asking whether it’s time to add an online store. Here’s how to decide.
Signs an Online Store Makes Sense
- Customers ask whether they can order online or have items shipped
- You sell products that ship easily, or that customers can pick up in store
- You serve visitors or seasonal customers who want to buy after they leave
- You want to sell gift cards, especially for the holidays
- You spend time taking orders by phone that customers could place themselves
It’s Not Just for Products
An online store can also sell gift certificates, event tickets, class registrations, service packages and deposits. For many service businesses, that’s the simplest place to start.
What to Plan For
Products and Photos
Good photos and clear descriptions sell. Plan time to photograph products and write descriptions that answer customer questions.
Payments and Fees
Payment processors typically charge around 3% per transaction. Build that into your pricing.
Shipping, Pickup and Returns
Decide how orders reach customers, what shipping costs, and what your return policy is, then make all of it clear on your site.
Inventory
If you sell in-store and online, you need a way to keep inventory in sync so you don’t sell what you don’t have.
Security
Online stores must be kept updated and secure, with SSL, regular software updates and trusted payment providers.
Choosing the Right Platform
Popular options include WooCommerce, which adds a store to a WordPress website, and hosted platforms like Shopify. The right choice depends on how many products you sell, how you take payments in store, and how much you want to manage yourself.
Solnet builds online stores for small businesses, from a few gift cards to full product catalogs. Planning to sell this holiday season? Now is the time to start. Contact Solnet or call (301) 939-0273.
