How to Take Your Business Online | A Simple Guide for Beginners

Everyone talks about online presence but will not tell you how to take your business online.

 

Do you know why?

 

The reason is no one wants to leak the secret to success.

 

Yes, having an online presence is the secret to growing your business.

 

Now that it is out, I will tell you how to have an online presence and benefit your business.

 

Is your business Service Based or Product Based?

 

• Service-Based Business 

 

A service-based company provides skills, amenities and expertise to clients and companies.

 

For example, airlines, banks, law firms, event management firms, consulting firms etc.

 

• Product Based Business

 

As the name implies, a product-based business sells physical things.

 

For example, clothes, shoes, accessories, cosmetics, stationery etc.

 

Steps to take your Service Based Business Online 

 

Step 1 - Choose a Platform

 

Choosing the right platform is an important decision for taking your business online.

 

Here are the best platforms for a service-based business in India:

 

Indiamart: It is one of the best platforms for beginners. In fact, there is no registration fee or commission charged by Indiamart.

 

You can create a free account and start selling your services. 

 

However, you will need a GST Registration to list your services on Indiamart and become a verified seller.

 

Industry Based Platform: It is the most appropriate platform for professionals.

 

Suppose you are a professional interior designer, it will be better to go for an industry-specific platform. 

 

Because all the leads there can be potential clients. 

 

For example, Houzz.in is a platform where you can register yourself as a pro and start selling your services there. 

 

On the other hand, Indiamart is more like a supermarket with all types of services and products.

 

Own Website: It is the best option if you plan to expand your business on a larger scale. 

 

For this purpose, you will need a web developer, graphic designer, content writer, SEO optimizer and digital marketers.

 

After that, proceed with buying a Domain Name from Godaddy and setting up your website from WordPress.

 

Optimize your web content and also post regular articles and updates.

 

It will help you appear on the top of search results when someone looks for a related query.

 

As a result, it will generate more sales.

 

Step 2 - Make your Seller Account

 

The next step is to list your services on these websites.

 

If you are going for India Mart or any Industry-Specific Platform, you can make a free seller account on it and enter your business details with your GST Number.

 

However, the websites may charge a platform fee or a commission on sales in some cases.

 

Therefore, before setting the prices on these websites, check their policy.

 

Step 3 - List your Services

 

Now, list your services with a clear description that includes all the details the client must know about the service.

 

Especially, it must have the keywords that they search. 

 

For example, when a customer is looking for renovation in Delhi.

 

Then include the keyword "renovation in Delhi" in your description. 

 

Google will find your service most relevant to the customer if your description has the keyword.

 

As a result, it will show your offered service in the top results. 

 

You can use Google Keyword Planner to choose the right keywords.

 

Further, set your price ranges, keeping in mind the platform fee or the commission you will have to pay on the sales.

 

Step 4 - Target your Potential Clientele

 

The next step is targeting your potential clients.

 

There are four ways you can do that:

 

• Social Media: You can run Ad Campaigns on Instagram and Facebook to target and reach your customers. 

 

• SEO: Search Engine Optimization is to design the information on your website and the description of your services according to the customer's query and searches. It will help your target customers find you easily.

 

• Check out your Competitors: Go to a competitor's website, social media handles or the services they have posted. Discover what type of people like their posts and who they are targeting. It will not only help you with finding your customers but also identify the market they are missing.

 

• Leveraging Customer Data: If you already have a customer base, you can use their data to identify your target market. For example, name, email address, previous purchases and more. The more customer data you have, the easier it will be for you to create campaigns.

 

Step 5 - Sell your Service

 

For this purpose, you must either be a strong salesperson or have a potent sales team. 

 

Only then you will be able to achieve your revenue goals and grow your business.

 

There are several sales techniques.

 

But, what works best for selling a service is the consultative approach.

 

When you approach your customers, they sometimes do not know what is suitable for them or what more they may require.

 

At this point, your consultation will guide them to select the appropriate service. 

 

Moreover, you can identify what more they need and sell them that as well.

 

Step 6 - Retain your Customers

 

Retaining your customers again plays a very vital role in the service industry. 

 

Even your current customers are your potential customers.

 

For example, you run an event management business.

 

You have a customer for whom you have organized a birthday party. 

 

Now, of course, there may be other future events on his list as well, like marriage, anniversary celebration, retirement celebration or even more birthdays. 

 

Here are a few tips to retain your customer:

 

1. Make sure to provide an unforgettable experience.
2. Do beyond expectations.
3. Offer freebies
4. Give a discount on a current or future event or both.

 

Steps to take your Product-Based Business Online

 

Step 1 - Choose a Platform

 

There are three types of platforms for selling your products online - Ecommerce, Social Commerce and Business Websites.

 

Ecommerce Platforms

 

Amazon Business: Of course, it is the largest marketplace with the most potential buyers.

 

In fact, you can sell anything from a needle to a truck on amazon. 

 

However, Amazon does charge a fee from the sellers, but only if you make a sale.

 

For this purpose, check the fee on your products on Amazon's Seller Central.

 

In fact, our experts can help your register your business on Amazon easily.

 

So, get in touch with us by filling the form on right. 

 

Flipkart: It is also a great platform for sellers.

 

Also, it offers exclusive seller workshops and training.

 

So, if you are a beginner, you can benefit from this feature and learn how to sell your products online.

 

Flipkart does charge a fee from the sellers that you can check on Flipkart's Seller Hub.

 

You can sell your products on multiple platforms as well. 

 

But, initially, it is advisable to focus on one particular marketplace. 

 

Later you can expand your business to others when you have a good grab on it.

 

Social Commerce Platforms

 

These platforms leverage the power of social media to target potential customers.

 

• Meesho
• Glowroad
• Shop101

 

Also, they allow you to create an e-store.

 

Further, you can share the link to your e-store on social media channels. 

 

For example, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Telegram, Whatsapp and more. 

 

Above all, they do not charge any extra fees and offer great discounts on bulk orders.

 

Business Website

 

The third option is your business website. 

 

So, for a website, you will need the following people:

 

• Web Developer
• Graphic Designer
• Content Creator
• SEO Optimizer
• Digital Marketer
• Product Photographer

 

But, you will first need to buy a domain name. You can buy a domain name on a subscription basis starting from Rs.500 per annum. 

 

After that, you can either self-design your website with Canva or hire a graphic designer.

 

Step 2 - List your Products

 

The next step is listing your products on the platforms.

 

You will need to apply for GST Registration to list your product on an ecommerce or social commerce platform. 

 

However, you will not need it if you list the products on your website and your annual turnover is below Rs.40 Lacs (Rs.20 Lacs in the North Eastern States).

 

Also, keep in mind that ecommerce platforms take a cut of your sales. 

 

So, while listing the products, make sure you have set your prices accordingly.

 

Step 3 - Marketing 

 

Your work does not finish by just listing the products.

 

Marketing your product is the most important when you take your business online.

 

The two things that play the most crucial role in marketing are:

 

• Attractive Product Photos
• Writing a Copy that Sells

 

For Ecommerce and Social Commerce

 

You can apply for their pay per click ad plans, which will show your products on top of their results.

 

For example, suppose you sell scented candles, and someone searched for them on amazon.

 

Amazon will show your product in the top results if you have a paid plan. 

 

For Business Website

 

Here are the things to do for marketing your products with your website:

 

• Use SEO Tools to rank organically in search engines
• Engage your customers with visuals
• Update your content regularly
• Offer Attractive Discounts 
• Run Ad Campaigns for Sale 
• Keep your Branding Constant

 

Register your Brand before taking your Business Online

 

Launching your brand online is not so hard, but bringing it to the top and making it stay on the top is like Game of Thrones.

 

But don't you think it must be already registered under your name when it will top the results?

 

Thus, someone else can't claim it and benefit from the reputation you made with all the hard work.

 

Also, what if you cannot trademark it later because someone already owns it.

 

At that moment, all your efforts will go in vain, and you will reach back to point zero.

 

So to be on the safer side and apply for trademark registration online.

 

If you are worried about the exhausting registration process and high cost, we are here in that case.

 

Get in touch with our experts by filling out the form on the right.