It may have just started as an idea on paper, or the desire to bring in some extra cash each month, but bringing your eCommerce side hustle to life is a big step. As you are new to all of this, you might not have the necessary experience beyond the knowledge of your chosen niche and the products within it. However, this is only half the battle, and putting it in front of other people so that they can buy it is another matter entirely: one which will take action in four important areas, as highlighted below.
1. Build a website
First up, you’ll need somewhere to sell and that will involve creating a website. Even if you consider yourself a talented amateur when it comes to web design, eCommerce sites are a different matter, so you should not try to do this yourself.
Ideally, you’ll want to use Magento or Shopify, so you’ll need a specialist service like the one offered by magecloud.agency to get you off the ground. Their expertise will more than make up for any gaps in your knowledge, and rather than having a ramshackle store to show the buying public, you will have a professional site that customers will have confidence in buying from.
2. Find a shipping partner
Next, you’ll need to think about how your products will get from A to B, ideally quickly and in one piece. You could opt for just putting orders in the mail, but this will only work up to a point when you’ll need to find a shipping partner. This might be DHL, UPS, or a similar service that will provide you with a daily collection, and the consumables needed to ship your items via their service.
Due to the economies of scale, putting all your eggs in one basket like this could get you a much better price per package, which you can pass on to customers or add to your bottom line.
3. Negotiate deals with suppliers
You already know what type of products you want to sell, but there is the issue of how much you are going to pay for them. Buying in bulk is usually cheaper but you need to weigh this up against having a large amount of cash tied up in stock and how much space you have to store it all.
You could start with just a small shipment to test the waters and if this proves to be successful then increase your order size gradually. It is always wise to remain on good terms with your suppliers as this could mean favorable treatment should the supply chain fail as it did during the recent pandemic.
4. Invest in the unboxing experience
One final piece of the puzzle is how you pack your products. Of course, they need to be protected, but as the unboxing experience is vital when it comes to getting repeat orders, this is an ideal opportunity to make a lasting impression.
Outer packaging that complements what is inside can help here, as can adding some items of swag or free samples of other products you sell. Small touches like this can set you apart from others selling similar items, and help to build a base of regular customers that will ensure your side hustle goes from strength to strength.
