How to start an ecommerce business: Essential tips for success

Starting an ecommerce business has never been more achievable. With the right guidance and tools, you can turn your passion into a profitable venture. This guide breaks down each step, offering practical advice on everything from choosing a product to handling fulfillment. Whether you’re selling handmade goods, curated collections, or innovative products, this roadmap will help you create an ecommerce store that fits your vision—and your life.

1. Find your niche

Choosing a niche is the first and most important step. A niche is a specific product category that helps define your brand and streamline marketing efforts. For example, you could focus on high-end handbags or modern tech accessories. Sticking to a narrow focus initially makes it easier to establish yourself in the market.

Brainstorm ideas for products in demand, like pet products, baby items, or wedding accessories. Write down your ideas but don’t commit just yet—you’ll want to confirm supplier availability first.

2. Find suppliers

Finding reliable suppliers can be one of the toughest steps. Many wholesalers prioritize businesses with physical storefronts, so securing a supplier for your niche may take research. Confirm supplier availability before investing time and money in other areas. Explore options like wholesalers, dropshipping suppliers, or private-label vendors to see what works best for your needs.

3. Research the market

Thorough market research is critical. Evaluate each product idea by asking:

• How in-demand is this product?
• How much do people typically spend on it?
• What’s the competition like, and how established are they?
  

Choose a product that balances high demand with manageable competition. Once you’ve found the right fit, you’re ready to move forward.

4. Secure your product

Decide whether you’ll purchase inventory upfront or use dropshipping. Dropshipping allows suppliers to ship directly to customers but often comes with higher costs and potential shipping delays. For private-label products, secure a Universal Product Code (UPC) for tracking, which you can purchase through vendors like GS1 or SingleUPC.

5. Consider a co-warehousing space that grows with you

Storing inventory at home might not be practical as your business grows. Co-warehousing providers like Saltbox offer flexible spaces that scale with your needs, from 60 to 5,000 square feet, without long-term commitments.

Saltbox also handles inventory receiving, offers 24/7 secure access, and provides additional support like packing, shipping, and flex storage. With daily pickups from carriers like UPS, FedEx, and USPS, Saltbox simplifies logistics so you can focus on growing your business.

6. Create your business

Now that you’ve secured your product and storage, it’s time to officially establish your business.

• ‍Name it: Choose a keyword-rich name that resonates with your audience. Use tools like SEMrush or Keywords Everywhere for inspiration, and ensure the domain is available before registering the name.‍
• Design your brand: Create a logo, select brand colors, and define your brand’s personality. Your branding should connect with your target audience and communicate your business’s unique value.‍
• Write your marketing plan: Develop buyer personas and outline how you’ll reach your audience through ads, influencer partnerships, email campaigns, and pre-launch promotions.

7. Set up marketing channels

Social media will play a key role in building your ecommerce business. Create accounts with your business name as the handle, and use consistent branding across platforms. Invest in marketing automation tools to save time and streamline your efforts as you grow.

8. Build your website

Choose a platform like Shopify or BigCommerce to create your website quickly and efficiently. These platforms offer intuitive tools for setting up your store, including payment processing and design templates.‍

• ‍Prioritize security: Set up an SSL certificate to protect customer data and ensure a secure checkout process.‍
• Draft policies: Include clear terms of use, privacy, shipping, and refund policies to build trust with your customers.
• Don't forget SEO: You want to target the right keywords, create linkable content, and make sure your site is technically set up for optimal discoverability. Check out this post on SEO for Beginners to learn how SEO works.
• Test before you launch: Make sure that any transactions and orders on your site are sending the correct email notifications to you, and check that your payment processors and shipping options are redirecting properly.

9. Take product photos and write product descriptions

Great images and product descriptions are essential for conversions. Use Saltbox’s onsite photo studios to create professional visuals. Write unique, keyword-rich descriptions that include specifications like size, weight, and features. Avoid duplicating supplier descriptions, as this can hurt your search rankings.

10. Price your products

There’s a good chance your suppliers have to give you pricing that is sold directly from their warehouse or retail location, so you will have to consider a variety of factors like packaging, shipping, overhead, and transaction fees when setting prices. Additionally, research competitors’ pricing to ensure you’re competitive while maintaining profitability.

11. Implement a shipping and handling process

Shipping is a major component of ecommerce. Determine product dimensions and weights, and integrate your shipping carrier’s API with your website for seamless processing. Saltbox makes this easier with daily onsite carrier pickups, so you can focus on growing your business instead of managing logistics.

Partner with Saltbox to boost your ecommerce efforts

Saltbox has helped hundreds of businesses launch, grow, and scale by providing flexible, scalable warehousing and logistics solutions. From inventory management to on-demand labor, we’re here to support your ecommerce goals every step of the way. Book a tour to find the right Saltbox space for your business today.