{"id":811,"date":"2018-09-18T15:29:55","date_gmt":"2018-09-18T15:29:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/?p=811"},"modified":"2026-04-20T14:51:48","modified_gmt":"2026-04-20T10:51:48","slug":"9-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/9-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business\/","title":{"rendered":"9 Steps To Start An Ecommerce Business"},"content":{"rendered":"<span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 4<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span><p>Ecommerce is booming. There is money to be made now and even more in the future. It\u2019s tempting to jump into the online marketplace as quickly as possible, but that isn\u2019t a good idea. It\u2019s a great idea to start an online business. The marketplace has been booming, but running an online business is more complex than simply throwing up a website and waiting for customers. Even the best-laid plans can become hopelessly tangled with hold-ups, delays, and complications. That\u2019s why it\u2019s best to slow down. Plan carefully. And build an ecommerce business step-by-step that is more likely to last and be profitable for years to come.<\/p>\n<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_83 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title\" style=\"cursor:inherit\">Table of Contents<\/p>\n<label for=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0c7b8b73b11\" class=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-label\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/label><input type=\"checkbox\"  id=\"ez-toc-cssicon-toggle-item-6a0c7b8b73b11\"  aria-label=\"Toggle\" \/><nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/9-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business\/#How_To_Start_An_Ecommerce_Business\" >How To Start An Ecommerce Business?<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/9-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business\/#Determine_Your_Brand\" >Determine Your Brand<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/9-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business\/#Create_a_Business_Model\" >Create a Business Model<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/9-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business\/#Recognize_Potential_Bottlenecks\" >Recognize Potential Bottlenecks<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/9-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business\/#Build_The_Website\" >Build The Website<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/9-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business\/#Lay_The_SEO_Framework\" >Lay The SEO Framework<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/9-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business\/#Develop_a_Marketing_Plan\" >Develop a Marketing Plan<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/9-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business\/#Build_a_Clientele\" >Build a Clientele<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/9-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business\/#Become_Active_in_Your_Community\" >Become Active in Your Community<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/9-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business\/#Revamp_And_Reinvent_as_Necessary\" >Revamp And Reinvent as Necessary<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h2><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"How_To_Start_An_Ecommerce_Business\"><\/span>How To Start An Ecommerce Business?<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h2>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Determine_Your_Brand\"><\/span><strong>Determine Your Brand<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Many brick-and-mortar businesses start with a product. You are going to sell an item or a service and the brand and methods are secondary. That\u2019s not how it works online. In the <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blog.temok.com\/amazon-ecommerce\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">ecommerce marketplaces<\/a>, you will first determine how you want to present your company to the world. What brand and persona do you want to create? The product is secondary.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Create_a_Business_Model\"><\/span><strong>Create a Business Model<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You want to be a fun and youthful company. Or present yourself as a classic and classy entrepreneur. Whatever your persona, your next step is to create a business plan for your product. Will you be moving physical items? Selling services? What is your plan for inventory, resource pipeline, and scheduling?<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Recognize_Potential_Bottlenecks\"><\/span><strong>Recognize Potential Bottlenecks<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-814 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.blog.temok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/recognize-potential-bottlenecks.png?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Recognize Potential Bottlenecks\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.temok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/recognize-potential-bottlenecks.png?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.temok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/recognize-potential-bottlenecks.png?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>Before you take your business any further, consider the things that may hold you back. Is your time limited? Your budget? Make your limitations clear from the start so that you can either work within those parameters or find a way to bring in additional resources so that you can follow the business plan you just created.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Build_The_Website\"><\/span><strong>Build The Website<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>You know what you want to sell, and more importantly, you know how you want to present it. You know what your budget and your resources are. Now it\u2019s time to bring it all together to <a href=\"https:\/\/www.blog.temok.com\/how-to-build-an-online-store-from-scratch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">create your online store<\/a>. It\u2019s possible to outsource much of this work provided you have a strong plan and direction or you can keep much of the creation in-house if you work with an existing platform or have the necessary design experience.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Lay_The_SEO_Framework\"><\/span><strong>Lay The SEO Framework<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-815 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.blog.temok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/seo.png?resize=750%2C394&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Lay The SEO Framework\" width=\"750\" height=\"394\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.temok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/seo.png?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.temok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/seo.png?resize=300%2C158&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>While the days of easy keyword stuffing are long gone, search engine optimization is still very much alive and well, if a bit more integrated and complex. As you build your website, be mindful of the words and content you\u2019re using. Also, <a href=\"https:\/\/stellarseo.com\/ecommerce-link-building\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">build some quality links to your e-commerce store<\/a> as they influence rankings too. Make your site easy to navigate not only for your human visitors but for the digital ones as well.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Develop_a_Marketing_Plan\"><\/span><strong>Develop a Marketing Plan<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>What is your plan for bringing customers to your website? While SEO will have many long-term benefits, it is no guarantee of future success, and certainly cannot be counted on for any immediate sales. Your marketing plan will be tied to your product or service, of course, but there are many ways to reach your target market online.<\/p>\n<p>Will you be paying for advertisements on other sites? Creating native ads such as videos and articles? Self-promoting through online communities? Develop a marketing plan that matches your goals, your budget, and your time \u2013 marketing will be the most labor and cost-sensitive aspect of your emerging business.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Build_a_Clientele\"><\/span><strong>Build a Clientele<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Your first sale is exciting. So is the second. But what is even more exciting is when customers come back and buy more from you in the future. This means you\u2019re going to need a way to contact them about new offerings and promotions.<\/p>\n<p>Build a clientele by offering free promotions, getting customers to sign up for a newsletter, and gathering up emails for the occasional special message or birthday greeting. These aren\u2019t just your customers for the day \u2013 they are your clients for the life of the business.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Become_Active_in_Your_Community\"><\/span><strong>Become Active in Your Community<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p><img data-recalc-dims=\"1\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"aligncenter wp-image-817 size-full\" src=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/www.blog.temok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/community.png?resize=750%2C500&#038;ssl=1\" alt=\"Become Active in Your Community\" width=\"750\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.temok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/community.png?w=750&amp;ssl=1 750w, https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.temok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/community.png?resize=300%2C200&amp;ssl=1 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 750px) 100vw, 750px\" \/><\/p>\n<p>To sell things from your brick-and-mortar business, you try to get out and be active in your physical community. The same is true in the online world. If anything, networking is even more important online. Build relationships with upstream and downstream businesses.<\/p>\n<p>Join communities in your industry. Get to know what others are doing and what they aren\u2019t \u2013 you might discover a profitable niche nobody is covering. You won\u2019t know until you get out there to look.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Revamp_And_Reinvent_as_Necessary\"><\/span><strong>Revamp And Reinvent as Necessary<\/strong><span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Finally, no online business is successful in the same way for eternity. And the online attention span is even shorter than the physical ones. Keep careful tabs on your stats. Work hard to stay ahead of the curve and be immediately reactive to changes in the online environment.<\/p>\n<p>A well-developed brand can bring in new products and archive old ones. Build a business around what you do and how you do it and you can shift quickly as the marketplace ebbs and flows around you.<\/p>\n<p>If you want your ecommerce business to thrive, you\u2019ll need more than a good name and a catchy product. A sustainable business model involves careful planning, careful design, and &#8211; perhaps most critically of all &#8211; careful, ongoing development. A well-built ecommerce business is not only well-crafted but also adaptable to the fast-paced online environment. This can only be achieved through meticulous planning.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p><span class=\"span-reading-time rt-reading-time\" style=\"display: block;\"><span class=\"rt-label rt-prefix\"><\/span> <span class=\"rt-time\"> 4<\/span> <span class=\"rt-label rt-postfix\">min read<\/span><\/span>Ecommerce is booming. There is money to be made now and even more in the future. It\u2019s tempting to jump into the online marketplace as quickly as possible, but that isn\u2019t a good idea. It\u2019s a great idea to start an online business. The marketplace has been booming, but running an online business is more [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":6,"featured_media":813,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"pmpro_default_level":"","_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[11],"tags":[121,3850,3849],"class_list":["post-811","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-business-and-ecommerce","tag-ecommerce-business","tag-start-an-ecommerce-business","tag-steps-to-start-an-ecommerce-business","pmpro-has-access"],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/blog.temok.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2018\/09\/ecommerce-business.png?fit=750%2C321&ssl=1","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/811","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/6"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=811"}],"version-history":[{"count":7,"href":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/811\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":15207,"href":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/811\/revisions\/15207"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/813"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=811"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=811"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.temok.com\/blog\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=811"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}