How to grow a business online is still a mystery for many. Some businesses perform very well offline, but when they try to expand online, they struggle with high expenses and reduced profits. In this blog, we will discuss a step-by-step guide to growing your business online and making it profitable.
1. Set up Social Media Accounts For Your Business
Social media offers a vast audience for your business. To establish an online presence, creating engaging social media profiles is essential. This is your brand’s first interaction with potential customers.
How to make attractive social media profile?
1. Bio: Your bio plays a vital role in making your profile appealing. It should be written in simple, easy-to-understand language while highlighting the key points of your products and services.
2. Brand Logo: Brand logo represent your identity online. So use logo as your profile picture.
3. Content: Keep your profile active with engaging posts, videos, and reels. Stay updated on trends and incorporate them into your content. Respond promptly and positively to comments and feedback.
4. Hashtags: Use relevant and trending hashtags related to your business and target audience.
5. Collaborate with Influencers: Partner with influencers in your industry to reach a wider audience. For example, if you’re in the food industry, collaborate with food bloggers.
6. Run Targeted Ads: Social media ads can help you reach your target audience effectively. Start by promoting your best content and then expand your ad campaigns.
2. List Your Business on Marketplace Platforms
Many businesses may not have the resources to invest in a dedicated website and advertising. In such cases, marketplaces offer an excellent starting point for online sales. You can learn valuable lessons about online selling by using these platforms.
Why Start with a Marketplace?
Marketplaces provide a wealth of knowledge for new businesses. You’ll learn how to showcase products online, manage shipping, design an effective website dashboard, handle product returns, and balance manufacturing and delivery costs for profitability. Customer reviews are also essential for understanding areas for improvement. By starting on a marketplace, you can gain valuable experience before investing in your own website or app development, potentially saving costs. Marketplaces can act as a testing ground for your online business.
Popular Marketplaces:
- Flipkart
- Myntra
- Snapdeal
- IndiaMart
- ShopClues
- Amazon India
- Meesho
- Facebook Marketplace
- Paytm E-Commerce
4. Create Business Website and App
Your business website and app should include the following features:
- Homepage: The homepage is crucial for showcasing your products or services. It’s your first impression on visitors. Design it thoughtfully, incorporating banners, videos, clear calls to action (CTAs), well-organized sections, and a menu for categories and subcategories.
- Product Listing Page: This page allows customers to browse products within specific categories.
- Product Detail Page: Provide detailed information about each product, including clear descriptions and attractive visuals. Include related products or pages at the bottom to enhance user engagement.
- Master Search: Enable users to search for products by name, size, color, or other attributes, improving user experience.
- Cart Management: Allow customers to add products to their cart and continue shopping or proceed to checkout later.
- Checkout Process: Keep the checkout process simple and efficient. Consider offering guest checkout or mobile number OTP verification for convenience. Use trusted payment partners like Razorpay, PayPal, or PhonePay to build customer trust.
- Order Confirmation Page: Display a clear confirmation message and send an email confirmation to the customer.
4. Performance Marketing
Performance marketing is a comprehensive approach to online marketing that encompasses various channels, including SEO, brand promotion, influencer marketing, email marketing, social media marketing, and marketplaces. It helps you grow your online business and improve sales.
5. Analyzing Team Performance
To ensure optimal results, regularly analyze your team’s performance and evaluate the effectiveness of resources that may not be yielding significant returns over time. Before hiring a team or digital marketing agency, carefully review their portfolio and work experience.
Conclusion
Online business is not a mystery if you have a well-thought-out plan and conduct thorough market research before entering the digital realm.