{"id":6285,"date":"2015-12-29T13:51:34","date_gmt":"2015-12-29T13:51:34","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ecommercemasterplan.com\/?p=6285"},"modified":"2022-08-25T16:46:26","modified_gmt":"2022-08-25T15:46:26","slug":"ecommerce-start-up-tips-from-our-2015-podcast-guests","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ecommercemasterplan.com\/ecommerce-start-up-tips-from-our-2015-podcast-guests\/","title":{"rendered":"eCommerce Start up Tips from our 2015 Podcast Guests"},"content":{"rendered":"
Whilst preparing the 2015 Highlights shows<\/a> I realised just how good our interviewees eCommerce Start Up Tips were – so I thought I’d compile them into a blog post for you all.<\/p>\n These are mainly useful for someone starting their eCommerce business – but, there’s a lot we can all learn from this sage advice!<\/p>\n I ask each guest for their Start Up Top Tip:<\/p>\n If you met someone this weekend who is thinking of starting an eCommerce business what would be your first tip for them?<\/p><\/blockquote>\n Follow the links if you want to hear the advice being discussed in more detail.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n If you\u2019d like to hear the latest recommendations from our guests \u2013 then just visit our podcast page<\/a> to listen right now, or find out how to subscribe.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Whilst preparing the 2015 Highlights shows I realised just how good our interviewees eCommerce Start Up Tips were – so I thought I’d compile them into a blog post for you all. These are mainly useful for someone starting their eCommerce business – but, there’s a lot we can all learn from this sage advice! […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[522,568],"tags":[616],"yoast_head":"\nDon’t go it alone:<\/h2>\n
\n
\n“Make friends with people who\u2019ve done it. OR hire a good consultant. Will save you thousands! Just get out to some eCommerce events to meet some \u2013 the Direct Commerce Association is a great place to start in the UK.”<\/li>\n
\n“Finding the right team! Business can be lonely and it is important to surround yourself with people who are philosophically aligned.”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nIt’s all about the customer (and the product is important too):<\/h2>\n
\n
\n“Number 1 \u2013 look at your product, is it superior? is it niche? does it truely outperform? at least in some areas.
\nNumber 2 \u2013 make sure you have a route to market for it”<\/li>\n
\n“Clearly define your customer
\nIf you\u2019re selling a product \u2013 trial it on Amazon or eBay first to see if anyone wants it”<\/li>\n
\n“Tighten your product range. Sell a clear niche rage of products, and one that excites you
\nFind the right customer segment to target”<\/li>\n
\n“Understand the market you are going into. Do as much pre-launch research as possible. What does your customer want?”<\/li>\n
\n“Pick your product very carefully. Keep it simple, you don\u2019t need 100s of lines, avoid lots of sizing!”<\/li>\n
\n“Now-a-days the website platforms are so strong you need to find another barrier against new entrants and competitors so\u2026 you must make your product and service great”<\/li>\n
\n“Find a niche
\nStart to build a community
\nBuild a relationship with suppliers”<\/li>\n
\n“I hope you know your product”<\/li>\n
\n“Define your customers from the beginning \u2013 know who you want to serve.”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nBrand and Design:<\/h2>\n
\n
\n“Look at the eCommerce sites you like to shop at, and see what they do that you really like. Your website will need to speak to your brand.
\nMake sure you choose the right eCommerce platform to start on. Really do your due diligence on the functionality and the back end.”<\/li>\n
\n“Invest in your brand
\nResearch your target market”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nPractical Tips:<\/h2>\n
\n
\n“Get the analytics in place right from the start, so you have the data you need in the future”<\/li>\n
\n“Have a plan.
\nDon\u2019t be afraid to outsource.
\nUse as many of the free\/cheap tools as you can before starting to spend.”<\/li>\n
\n“Start small & measure
\ngive yourself a chance to deliver to the customer, and measure the effectiveness of every marketing method. Then you\u2019ll know how to grow.”<\/li>\n
\n“Don\u2019t buy too much stock to start with \u2013 buy in accordance with the momentum of the business
\nGet an accountant”<\/li>\n
\n“Research and learn about all aspects of how your website works. Search, content, social media, etc so that you understand the lingo to better run your team and business.”<\/li>\n
\n“Research your market”<\/li>\n
\n“Design your delivery process and test it to make sure the customer will get a great service and experience.”<\/li>\n
\n“Is what you\u2019re selling something someone else is making a lot of money selling already? If not, don\u2019t do it.”<\/li>\n
\n“Focus on the core \u2013 keep your website simple, and get selling”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\nJust do it!<\/h2>\n
\n
\n“Just Do It
\nif you know it makes sense, just get on with it \u2013 no beta, no testing, just go for it”<\/li>\n
\n“Work out if an idea is an opportunity by getting it out early and if it gets traction it is likely to be an opportunity.”<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n