In many ways, e-commerce sites are the flea markets of the digital age. They offer unique, and often handcrafted, items to savvy shoppers willing to take the time to find something extra special. More and more, customers seem to be falling in love with e-commerce sites that sell ‘do it yourself’ DIY projects and homemade products.
In fact, overall online sales growth continues to outpace the total retail market. If you are thinking about breaking into the scene, now is your chance. Why not take your DIY and entrepreneurial skills to the next level by starting your own business? Below are a few tips to get you started.
Clean (Not Kitsch) Website Design
One of the first things to consider when learning how to create an e-commerce website is how your store will appear to prospective customers. You want to leave a good first impression after all. While shoppers may love products with a rustic or retro air about them, they are less enamored with outdated website interfaces.
Research the rules of clean design when building your homepage; Use plenty of whitespaces to keep your shippers focused on the products; Emphasize the features customers use most including a search bar, shopping cart, menu bar, FAQ and contact pages. These should be readily apparent to anyone visiting your site. And finally, use beautiful high-definition images for every product you are selling.
Follow these techniques and you’ll be sure to capture the eyes and interests of your digital audience.
Start a Lifestyle Blog
If you are an avid DIYer, you probably have skills that others envy. Think about it, are your friends shocked to learn that you crafted your own coffee table or jewelry? Why not share your know-how with the world?
For example, if you sell creative items that are unique and memorable – like a gorgeous strawberry planter from pallets – something that would attract a lot of visitors.
Starting a lifestyle blog is a fun and exciting way to engage with fledgling DIY devotees and generate interest in your e-commerce store. Experiment with ‘how to’ posts, video tutorials and photoblogs about your favorite projects. Link each of your posts back to your e-commerce store and encourage your audience to buy either materials for their next project or completed pieces you created!
Of course, blogging isn’t the only way to create buzz. Think about joining DIY forums on Reddit, interacting with popular social media pages or joining in-person meetup groups too.
Offer One-of-a-Kind Products
It might seem obvious, but the thing that really sets your store apart is the merchandise. Think about how to create an e-commerce website with plenty of personality; which shouldn’t be hard for a creative DIYer like yourself.
In your product descriptions, explain the types of materials used, how it was created and various uses for your merchandise. Use plenty of sensory languages to make the experience come alive. After all, your shoppers came to your store for something unique and memorable.
Bonus points for offering personalized touches such as engraved names or color choices to your work. Perfect for holidays and birthdays!
Don’t Skimp on Customer Service
While building a website, gathering an audience and developing enticing products is absolutely vital, it’s equally important to provide proper customer service. Put yourself in your customers’ shoes to anticipate their questions and demands. Offer various shipping options for faster delivery; provide quick responses to questions via email or contact page; provide troubleshooting guides to preempt complaints and returns, and allow for diverse payment methods. Take these tips to heart and you’ll be sure to establish a base of satisfied shoppers.
We hope this guide has helped guide you on how to create an e-commerce website to DIY for. Remember, you are your own boss and your only limit is your own creativity.
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