The internet is a big place. There’s always lots to do and lots to see while on it, and one of the most popular ways to use it is to sell stuff on it. If becoming an e-entrepreneur sounds like it’s for you, then you’re probably thinking it’s time to buy some web hosting and hire a web development team, because to be an entrepreneur online means you need a website. Right?
Well, not really. Sure, having a website to sell your stuff is definitely a good idea, but building one takes time and requires resources you may not have access to. If this is true for you, then you’re in luck, because your dreams of being a digital entrepreneur can still come true even if you pass on building your own site. Here are some practical ways you can use the internet for your business even without your own dot-com.
For Research
The internet is first and foremost a repository of information, so one of the best ways for you to use it to power your business is to keep you informed. You’ll be able to search for almost anything you need to start a business on the internet, like tools that will help you plan your business with templates and forms. You should also check online for information on licensing and business permits in your area.
Another important bit of information that online entrepreneurs often overlook is competition. Use the internet to get a handle on how many other businesses are offering products and services similar to yours. This will give you clues about how to take advantage of market opportunities, like offering your products to a location that doesn’t have items similar to yours, or lowering your prices to undercut competitors.
For Operations
Record-keeping and documentation will soon be a big part of your budding online business, and the most practical way to keep track of your operations these days is by encoding them into a computer. That means you’ll need software, and luckily, basic office processes like word processing, spreadsheet generation and management, and even slideshow presentations are available online through browser based applications like the Google Office Suite. Best of all, they’re free of charge, giving you all the business functionality you need without the hefty software licensing price tag.
Another important aspect of your operations will be billing and accounting. You probably aren’t looking forward to personally visiting every one of your customers to hand them a paper invoice, so move your billing process online with Maya Digital Invoice. The Philippines’ leading payment gateway offers a convenient invoicing option that links to almost any messaging app online, ensuring that your invoices get to your customers fast—even if you don’t have a website.
Marketing Your Products Via Social Media
While building an entire website may not be for you, your business will definitely need a way to promote itself, and usually, that means advertising via social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter. There are several ways that you can do this. The most obvious one is to simply create a brand page for your products, prepare some posts, and then pay for your posts to be “boosted,” or more likely to show up on the social media feeds of people who are likely to buy your products. You can control who your posts are more likely to appear to based on gender, age, location, or other demographics.
Another way to make your presence felt on social media is by building your community organically. Once you establish your product page on your preferred social media channel, make sure people like your page so they see your posts and your content. Initially, this first generation of likers will probably come from your immediate friends and family, but if your content is interesting, it’s more likely to be reshared by your initial community and seen by people who follow them. In this way, your community will grow and more people will follow your brand’s activities. Be advised though: this takes time and patience, so be prepared for it.
Selling on Third-party Ecommerce Sites
Almost anything can be bought online these days, so why not skip the arduous process of building a website yourself and go straight to selling your products on apps like Lazada or Shopee. This is probably one of the fastest ways to take your products to your market, and with the amount of transactions that occur over these platforms on a daily basis, you’ll be giving your business its best chance for big sales.
However, success isn’t assured when selling on these platforms. Make sure you know what the requirements are for selling your products, and have them ready when needed. Also, bear in mind that these platforms will be taking a portion of your sales as well, as a fee for allowing you to use it. You’ll have to account for this new expense if you want to sell this way.
Using the internet as a resource for your business is so much more than an option these days, it’s become a necessity. Tapping into everything the digital space can do for you, whether you have a website or not, could be the difference between shutting down your business and preparing for your Initial Public Offering.
