Shift4Shop eCommerce Blog | Starting a Business (9)

So, you've decided it's time to expand beyond eBay sales and build your own online store.

This is a great idea — your eCommerce website will serve as your unique presence on the internet, which opens up tons of new ways to establish your brand and enter the public consciousness.

Having your own online store provides you with several business advantages. And we'll cover them in this article.

Have you considered starting an online business by dropshipping products directly from the distributor? Either if you're planning to do this as your first venture selling online, or you have an established e-commerce website looking to expand, these steps can help you determine if the dropshipping model will work for you.

Like any facet of ecommerce, dropshipping done right can be a highly successful business model. But to do it right, you’ll need to create a foundation for a successful and[...]

Making the decision to build and online store to start selling your products online is the first step towards starting a successful internet business.  

But the tasks that follow this decision might seem overwhelming. And for this reason, our team has compiled the basic 7 steps any retailer should follow to start selling online in this great infographic.

Follow these steps, plus the tips and ideas to help you start selling online, market and grow your new ecommerce businesses.

One of the most important things you need to consider when building your online store is product photos.

Product images tell your customers whether or not your item is what they want to purchase, and poor photograpy might be the cause of cart abandonment and lost sales. 

Taking high quality pictures may seem like something you need to hire a professional for, but you can often get great looking pictures on your own by following thse simple hints and tips.

One of the biggest barriers to starting an online store is the startup cost.

Like any business, ecommerce is a big investment. On the frontend, it costs money to set up your online store. But the meat and potatoes of your online store is where it can really get dicey. After all, you need a product to sell, and you need inventory of that product.

To sell a product, many online stores invest heavily in creating or stocking that product. But what if we told you there was a way to start an[...]

Building an online store can be exciting and scary all at the same time. It’s exciting because you’re getting your product out there for the world to see, but it can be scary because you may worry over whether your store will attract visitors. Implementing your store means that the planning and envisioning portion of building your business is done, and that means it’s time to see how the world will view your store. The best way to ensure a successful virtual grand opening is to avoid these six[...]

Years of eighty hour weeks, lots of sleepless nights and too many family “stay-cations” have paid off. Your retail business has developed a loyal clientele and a reputation for great service and fair dealing. Is it time for you to open an online store?

The growth in e-commerce is certain to continue. The National Retail Federation projects that within five years e-commerce will make up almost 20% of all retail sales, and many feel this estimate is too low. Competition from online sales is now a[...]

Whether you find yourself realizing that it's time to launch an online store or to add an ecommerce website to your current business, the goal is the same, to start selling online.

If you already have products to sell, you might be considering selling on Etsy, eBay, Amazon, or any other online selling marketplace.

The vape industry is booming as more and more smokers are drawn to vaping as a healthier alternative to cigarettes. It's a great time to enter the market, and vape as a product has a marketing advantage that cigarettes can't really touch: customization!

Did you know that 25% of US consumers shop online at least once a month? Online shopping has grown exceptionally and has become especially profitable for small businesses. However, how do you start an online business?

In an incredibly competitive e-commerce market, many online businesses selling online place tunnel-focus on sales revenue, while overlooking an aspect just as important: reducing costs.

Here are three easy and often over-looked routes to reduce costs for your online business.

Have you ever wanted to create a site with specific areas for members only? Thanks to the features in 3dcart, you can customize your site to have a Members Only section. In the following article, we will discuss how to set the cart up in this way and why each feature or step is necessary.

Though the realization of a business is a byproduct of the drive and inspiration of its founder, success can only be achieved through the acquisition of hard-working, loyal employees. Dedicated employees are the driving force behind any business’s prosperity and fame, fueling the fire that allows big bosses to reap big rewards.

Your business plan is vital to your success, and for more than one reason. First, your business plan provides a strong foundation from which to move forward without losing momentum by wondering what to do next. Second, a well-written business plan is required when presenting your business to potential investors.

Don't be intimidated by the idea of writing. You can start with an informal plan and clean it up later by fitting it into a business plan template when (or if) you're looking to secure[...]

Starting a new online store is a very exciting and hectic time for Merchants. Whether you are an eCommerce veteran or starting your very first website, 3dcart offers a platform that is robust and flexible.

3dcart’s Technical Support Team often speaks with new customers who are excited about the many features available to them, but may be struggling to quickly prepare their site to go live. Certainly new Merchants have quite a bit to do, and one of the most crucial decisions they face is[...]

These days, more and more wannabe entrepreneurs are going for online businesses rather than targeting the traditional way. At the same time, there are plenty of existing traditional businesses who are also moving on to this modern cyber platform. Whichever of these two you belong to, it's essential that you understand the various shifts you ought to face and accomplish from conventional trade to online entrepreneurship.

After all the hard work that went into designing your website, coming up with stunning photos and descriptions for your products, and all that e-commerce jazz, you're finally ready to get launched!

So how do you go about opening your store for business?

Follow these 5 steps to have an unforgettable online store opening: