What you should know before launching an ecommerce store
So, you’ve decided on your brand name and product, and you’re about to launch an eCommerce store. Congratulations!
But, as you know, it’s not as simple as that.
The web is abuzz with thousands of digital stores. So, how do you make yours stand out above your competitors?
That’s where we’re here to help. Read on for the most important things to know before the official launch of your eComm store, as recommended by experts in the industry.
1. Invest in a custom site
The most important way to differentiate your website from your competitors’ is to commission a custom-made site from a professional web development company, like roudstudio.com.
Custom sites are tailored exactly to your customer’s journey rather than a templated theme that might not fit the intricacies of your buying process. For instance, if you own a watch brand and offer engraving, you’ll need a text box where buyers can add their inscription before they pay. Using a website template might not enable customizations like this.
Get a site made just for you by bringing in web designers and developers. Not only will it be built exactly to your specifications, but it will also be different (and hopefully better) than your competition.
2. Research your competitors
After ensuring your website is better than your competitors’, you need to ensure your product is too.
What can your product do that theirs can’t? Can you offer yours cheaper? How is it an improvement on what already exists on the market?
Consider all these things before you start writing your product pages and other website copy. Make sure potential customers know that your product is better than the rest.
3. Work on your branding
First stop — create a memorable logo. The best logos are usually simple, so they’ll stick in your target audience’s mind, and can be easily identified and noticed.
Then, choose your color scheme and website graphics to match. Make sure everything fits with your chosen brand name — if the two aren’t complimentary, your identity and site will be jarring.
Also, carry these things across not only your website but your whole online presence, including your social media sites, adverts, emails, etc. Take it through to real life with your packaging and any traditional marketing too.
You may want to work with branding specialists to make sure you have a strong concept that works well with your product. Branding is key so don’t leave it as an afterthought.
4. Know basic SEO for ecommerce
When you don’t have a client base yet, attracting them to your site via SEO is essential. However, making sure your site, product pages, and even any blogs and guides rank high in the search results is no easy feat.
Keyword research is integral here.
Focus on keywords that show buyer intent for your product — e.g. ‘green dresses’. Searching for keywords like this on Google and Amazon can show you other terms that people search related to your initial keyword as well, such as ‘green dresses for kids’. Utilize these on your product pages, meta titles, etc. to capture searches and rank higher on Google.
Bottom line
With strong branding, an understanding of your competitors, knowing your product’s unique selling point, and a grasp on SEO for eCommerce, you’re well on your way to launching a successful eCommerce store.
These four tips will help you stand out on the (very) crowded internet. All you need to do in preparation is make sure your product is the best it can be.
