Once your business is online you will need to market it, but first ensure:-

• The site is clear and simple to use
• A phone number and email is clearly displayed
• You tell customers where you're located
• You use high quality photography and imagery throughout the site - customers like polished images
• It's easy, streamlined and uncomplicated for customers to purchase
• It's clear to customers that the site is secure and what payment methods are accepted
• You don't hide costs, such as VAT and delivery
• There is a page detailing delivery and how returns are handled
• You communicate to your customers that you provide value and service
• That you don't force customers to provide endless information about themselves
• Customers are kept in the loop with their order, fulfilment and delivery
• You up sell relevant products to what the customer is viewing or searching on

Then:

• Register your site with all the major search engines and directories
• Set up Google analytics so you can see what content on your site is popular and what is not
• Work to a marketing strategy / business plan
• Ensure continued offline and online marketing
• Keep your content fresh and customers updated of new products and offers
• Use special offers to entice customers back to your site
• Provide savings for multiple purchases to encourage the customer to spend more - such as offering free delivery when you spend over a certain amount.

Without the correctly styled site for your marketplace and continued marketing, the business will quickly drop of the radar - The illusion of "We're online - the sales will come rushing in" is still one of the most common e-commerce misconception. No marketing equals no business. Don't limit your market - being online means you have a worldwide audience, so don't restrict this, for example, by limiting your options of delivery.

Contact us if you would like to discuss growing your business online.