Before you start a webshop, it is important to identify those products for which there is an online need. To do so, you can carry out a market survey. If you have a brick and mortar shop, you can also take a look at what sells well in it and what doesn’t. Start small, with a limited number of products that are in high demand. After that, you can systematically expand the offer on your webshop.
It is preferable to choose original products and you should make sure you have more to offer (literally and/or figuratively) than your competitors. As part of this process, have professional product photos taken. Are you going to take these photos yourself? Then keep in mind the time you will need to do so. On the other hand, are you outsourcing everything? Then you will need to find a suitable supplier.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"2. Determine your webshop’s target audience"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Once you know what your webshop’s offer is going to be, it is best to immediately identify who your potential customers will be. This gives you a clear audience in mind, which is useful for all your communication, marketing and strategic decisions. Remember that the target audience of your webshop can be different from the target audience of your brick and mortar shop. So take your audience’s browsing behaviour into account.
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"Tip","richBody":{"value":"Are you planning to take your first steps as an entrepreneur? With the ING Starters Package , we’ll be happy to get you on your way. This package bundles together everything the self-employed and SMEs need. It is also completely free of charge for the first year.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"3. Draw up a solid business plan"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Having gone through the first two steps, it is important to put this down effectively on paper as well. In this way, when you start the webshop, you force yourself to think carefully about its essence. The business plan for your e-commerce will be the guide for all your further decisions. We look at this in more detail in another article.
Your business plan should contain at least the following items:
Come up with a catchy name that is easy to spell and remember. Make sure the name is a good match for what you’re offering! Your audience must clearly understand what products or services can be found in your webshop.
Also check that the internet domain of the same name has not already been taken. You can easily check the availability of a domain name at the official website of DNS Belgium, the organisation that administrates domain names in Belgium . Is your dream URL already taken? Then you can always contact the owner and try to convince him/her to sell it. Or you can choose a different domain name under which to start the web shop.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"5. Choose the hosting and platform for your webshop"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Once you have a domain name for your website, you choose the hosting that is necessary for it. Specifically, this is a service that provides space on an external server where your webshop is located. Good to know: you can often purchase a package that includes both the hosting and the domain name. That means that you don’t have to do anything else yourself.
Next, you choose the software for your new webshop. This is also called the content management system (CMS). One well-known example of such a system is WordPress. In this step, you also decide who will create everything. If you have the necessary technical knowledge, you can set up your website on your own. However, also consider leaving it to a professional developer. By having somebody else create the webshop, you can focus on promoting online shopping.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle"},{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"6. Choose a logistics partner","richBody":{"value":"Of course, the products that are purchased by your customers must also be delivered to them. You could drive around and do the deliveries yourself. But it is more convenient to leave this to a courier service. Do thorough research on the best partner and be sure to compare guarantees, prices and delivery times. Consider other options as well. For example, customers could also pick up their parcels at your premises.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"7. Determine the online payment system"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"For a webshop, it is also particularly important that your customers can pay easily and securely online. So choose a reliable provider in this regard. Also be sure to check which payment methods are supported. After all, consumers like to have a wide choice, including Bancontact, Payconiq and credit cards such as Mastercard or Visa. Also be sure to bear in mind what the online payment system will cost you. With most providers, you pay a fixed monthly fee, supplemented by a small percentage on each transaction.
"}},{"componentType":"highlight","title":"Paying made easy on your webshop with ING Checkout!","richBody":{"value":"Do you have your own webshop? And are you looking for a way to receive payments online? Then discover ING Checkout
The payment solution from ING!
When you start a webshop, you are officially an entrepreneur. Whether you already have a physical shop or not: be sure that all your details are in the Crossroads Bank for Enterprises and are correct, including your online activities. Be sure to hire a good accountant and pay attention to the legal aspects of your webshop. Also consider things like terms and conditions, privacy policy, contact details and info on deliveries and payment details. Also make sure that all this information is clear on your webshop.
"}},{"componentType":"sectionTitle","title":"9. Keep in mind your online marketing"},{"componentType":"paragraph","richBody":{"value":"Starting your own webshop without any online marketing? It’s unlikely to bring in many customers. For example, you should think about your position in Google’s search results. However, don’t forget social media and email marketing. Check your webshop’s statistics and sales figures regularly.
And while you’re doing all this, always keep your company’s profile in mind. A webshop selling clothes will advertise in a different way than an online outlet selling car parts.
"}}]},"complementaryZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"cards","cards":[{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Online or physical shop: how do you choose the right sales channel?","intro":"How do your target audience, budget and product influence this choice?","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/f0cf8279-8c95-45b0-8e10-173f0d3040bc/accountable-1920","type":"image","width":1920,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/3bb19b9aad5450e8/original/accountable-1920.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/business/starters/online-vs-physical-store"}},{"componentType":"productCard","cardType":"product","cardSize":"small","title":"Receiving payments in your webshop","intro":"Offer your customers a wide range of payment options.","image":{"transformBaseUrl":"https://assets.ing.com/transform/3e3d54dd-25fa-4189-9856-9e62f6f37c45/young-woman-using-laptop-while-sitting-on-table","type":"image","width":5932,"original":"https://assets.ing.com/m/70f0938332128562/original/young-woman-using-laptop-while-sitting-on-table.jpg","extension":"jpg"},"link":{"url":"/en/business/payments/incoming-payments-ing-checkout"}}]}]},"legalZone":{"flexComponents":[{"componentType":"paragraph","title":"Disclaimer","richBody":{"value":"This article is for informative purposes only and the information set out herein may change with time. We therefore recommend that you always reference specific regulations and requirements with the competent authorities for the latest information. Additionally, we advise that you seek professional advice on a case-by-case basis before making any decisions. Please note that ING Belgium SA/NV cannot be held liable for any decision taken on the basis of the information provided.
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