An online shop is more than a page with a cart. It is a way of selling that needs to be thought through first and built second. If you answer a few questions in advance, the build is faster and cheaper.
Business questions first
- What exactly do you sell, and how many products do you have?
- How will you ship them, and what will delivery cost?
- How will customers pay?
- Who will answer customer questions and handle returns?
What a shop must have
- a clear catalogue with sharp photos and descriptions,
- a simple cart and a checkout with few steps,
- clear prices, delivery costs and payment options,
- terms of service and a privacy policy,
- a good experience on a phone, because many customers shop there.
Start small
You can open with a smaller number of products and grow as you see what customers actually look for. That lowers the risk and makes it easier to judge whether the investment pays off.
Rules for selling online
Selling to consumers comes with specific rules, for example on clear prices and terms and on withdrawing from a contract. Check them with the relevant authority or an adviser before launch. While building, I make sure the required pages and notices are in the right place.
Thinking about an online shop? Let’s talk
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