If you want to be successful in the ecommerce space, Shopify makes it easy to get your toes wet. In fact, a well-developed Shopify store can grow into a profitable source of income – either as a full-time job or a side hustle. But do you know where to start?
The Case for Shopify
Shopify is arguably the most popular and frequently used ecommerce platform on the web. It enables entrepreneurs and retailers to create and launch their own stores with all of the resources and functionality they need built into the platform.
Shopify is ideal for both physical goods and digital services. It requires minimal configuration and pre-existing knowledge to get started. The platform makes it easy to control the look and feel of the store, while also customizing the checkout process and back end of the website.
Best of all, Shopify is affordable and scalable. This makes it ideal for entrepreneurs who are just getting started and want to give ecommerce a try for the first time.
But for all of the perks and benefits, Shopify has a very complex and sophisticated underbelly. And while anyone can get started with Shopify, it takes a lot of work and support to master the intricacies of the platform so you can achieve significant and sustained levels of success.
5 Shopify Store Tips to Achieve Success
If you want to build and grow a successful store that will continue to be profitable for years to come, you need to focus your resources on the right investments. Here are some tips that you may find helpful:
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Aim for Sleek, Cohesive Design
Your Shopify store’s design and visuals set the first impression. Do your best to establish a sleek, cohesive design that promotes a consistent message to your visitors and customers. Simple is best; avoid distractions at all costs.
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Develop a Pricing Strategy
Whether you design and manufacture your own products or you’re sourcing them from other vendors, you need a plan for how you price your products in your store. You need a pricing strategy.
There are numerous ecommerce pricing strategies. Take the time to do some research and find an approach that aligns with your product mix, marketing strategy, and desired profit margins.
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Gain a Fresh Perspective
It’s easy to get stuck so far inside your own bubble that you view every situation, problem, strategy, and opportunity through the same lens. Unfortunately, this leads to stagnation and ineffective decision making. If you want to take your Shopify store to the next level, remember that it’s helpful to gain a fresh perspective from time to time.
One of the best ways to see your store from a new angle is to work with someone outside of your venture. Consider consulting with groups that specialize in services like Shopify SEO, PPC, design, and development – such as Root Creative. This fresh infusion of new ideas will change your business for the better.
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Become a Student of PPC Advertising
It’s incredibly difficult to mold a Shopify website into a successful store without the help of PPC advertising. And if you want to generate positive results, you need to become a student of the PPC advertising game.
Whether it’s Google or Facebook ads, the right PPC strategy can help you generate consistent and high-converting traffic. The key is to fine tune and tweak your strategy so that you aren’t bleeding money or paying more for clicks than you have to. If you feel uncomfortable managing your own PPC ad strategy, consult with someone who has more experience. The hope is that you’ll eventually have enough organic traffic to sustain your Shopify store – but for now, paid traffic is a must.
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Limit Friction at Checkout
It takes a lot of work to get someone to visit your Shopify store – either organically or through a paid channel. Then you have to convince them to add a product to their shopping cart. If you have a high shopping cart abandonment rate, then all of this hard work is for nothing.
Do you want to know what one of the number one causes of shopping cart abandonment is? It’s friction at checkout. Whether it’s asking for too much information, introducing surprise fees and charges, or requiring an account signup to complete the purchase, excess friction is never a good thing. Limit it as much as possible and your conversion rates will soar.
Grow Like Never Before
Thousands of entrepreneurs launch their own Shopify stores on an annual basis. Just a handful of these individuals experience true, sustainable success. If you want to increase your odds of building a profitable Shopify business, it starts by following the tips and strategies mentioned above. Implement them as soon as possible and see what they do for you.
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Interesting related article: “What is E-Commerce?“