The digital age is filled to the brim with so many different opportunities. Of course, one is the ability to start an eCommerce business. If you have a garage with plenty of space, it may be enough to store any inventory you want to ship out.
You may not have enough money for a larger space or fulfilment centre. You could make do just by using some extra space in your home. The good news is that there’s nothing wrong with that.
This guide will cover the five things you need to know about running an e-commerce business from your garage. Let’s get started with the list!
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Choose the right niche.
One of the most crucial decisions is identifying a niche you want to dive into. This can be something that’s in line with your interests, expertise, and market demand. As you’re exploring these niches, take a look at trending products that may be selling at a steady rate. If you’re into handicrafts and woodworking, you may already have considered converting your garage into a workshop!
You also want to assess potential competitors. The critical thing to consider is that you want to create something that will make you stand out among the rest. That’s where a unique selling proposition comes into play.
So, what exactly would you want to sell? Do you want to custom-create arts and crafts? Or maybe sell vintage items that you know people will collect and appreciate?
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Build a website for your store.
An eCommerce store will need a website so people know where to buy your items. There are plenty of platforms to choose from, including Shopify, WooCommerce, and others. Choosing one based on your needs, preferences, and budget is essential. If this is your first time running an online store, consider selecting a user-friendly platform to avoid wasting time fiddling with complex plugins.
This will be a time-intensive part of building a business, but it will be well worth the effort. You must create a website and include descriptions for all the items you plan on selling.
It should also be a good idea to consider adding secure payment options. This will make the transaction process a lot easier for your customers. For example, you can accept credit/debit, PayPal, or even cryptocurrency.
Remember that you may be subject to fees regarding the payment platform or methods you accept. It’s all part of the business and the expenses you must pay to operate.
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Establish your online presence.
Once you have built your store and tested everything, you can move on to the next phase: getting the word out. Social media platforms are great for leveraging your online presence.
You can post content regularly that features the products that you’re selling. If you want to give your followers and paying customers a behind-the-scenes look at your operations, you can do that with social media. Use it to engage with your audience.
You can also create promotional offers, feature customer testimonials, and more. Building your online presence for your eCommerce store will take time, but it will be worth it when you connect with your new fans and recurring paying customers.
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Consider using a dedicated workspace for operations.
Your garage will be the place where your operations will be happening. So, it’s essential to create a workspace that will be used to organise inventory, pack the items you need to ship, and more. Yes, you may not have a fulfilment warehouse, but you can make sure you leverage the space you’ve got to serve you well in the long term. Ideally, you’d want your inventory properly labelled and compartmentalised so you don’t waste time and money sourcing for duplicates. Remember, even printing labels, stationary, and shelves for your inventory should be part of your cost structure, and you’d want to ensure that these are factored in when pricing your products!
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Think about how you’ll handle dispatch and delivery
Finding the right solution will be important for dispatch and delivery. Ideally, you’d want an all-in-one system where you know exactly where your packages are along the delivery route.
For example, Circuit’s dispatch efficiency ensures you can keep up with customer demands and hectic delivery schedules. You’ll get real-time updates, including traffic conditions and the opportunity to optimise routes so customers get their packages quickly and efficiently. This ensures cost efficiency and good customer satisfaction ratings.
Final Thoughts
It is possible to run an eCommerce business from your garage. With the right technology, inventory, and setup, you can turn it into a success. However, hard work, investments of time and money, and knowing what your customers want will also be important.
Be aware of these five things, and you’ll be off to a great start. We hope this guide has been helpful.
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