Selling products and services online seems to be the trend nowadays. However, making your first online sale can be a daunting task, especially if you’re new to the world of eCommerce.
In this blog, we’ll guide you through the essential steps you need to take to make your first online sale, from setting up your online store to promoting your products and handling customer orders.
So, let’s get started!
Key Takeaways
- Building a strong online presence is crucial for making your first online sales. This includes creating a website, and social media accounts, and engaging with your audience through various online channels.
- Promoting your store can help build trust and credibility with potential customers, which can increase the likelihood of making a sale.
- By growing your email list, you can establish a direct line of communication with potential customers, promote your products, and drive sales.
Steps on How to Make Your First Online Sale
1. Setting up an Online Store
Setting up an online store is a crucial first step toward making your first online sale. There are several platforms you can use to create an online store, like Prosperna.
Prosperna is an all-in-one eCommerce platform that provides everything you need to create and run an online store. You can create a website without any coding skills, and it has integrated features like payments, shipping, inventory management, and many more.
Our local team of experts provides exceptional customer support, making it an ideal choice for Philippine MSMEs.
Plus, creating an account with Prosperna is totally free—forever.
With your Prosperna online store, you can customize your store by adding your logo and branding. Upload product images and descriptions, set prices, and add any necessary shipping or tax information.
And when you upgrade your Prosperna plan, you can choose your own domain. Having your own domain can help establish the credibility of your brand and improve your SERP rankings.
Once your online store is up and running, you’re ready to start promoting your products and making sales.
2. Optimizing Your Online Store
Optimizing your online store is critical for making your first online sale because it directly impacts the user experience and can significantly influence a customer’s decision to purchase from your store.
Optimizing Your Product Listing
Your product listings should be informative, engaging, and optimized for search engines to help potential customers find your online store.
Here’s how you can do this:
- Write compelling product titles and include relevant keywords. Keep it concise and clear, and avoid using jargon or overly technical terms.
- Your product description should provide all the necessary information about your product, including its features, benefits, and specifications. Use bullet points to break up the text and make it easy to read.
- Research your competitors’ pricing and set your prices competitively. Avoid overpricing your products, as this can turn potential customers away.
- Include customer reviews, ratings, and testimonials in your product listings to provide social proof and build trust with potential customers.
| Consider hiring a professional photographer or investing in a high-quality camera to ensure your product images stand out. |
Optimizing Your Website
Your website should be user-friendly, visually appealing, and optimized for search engines to attract customers.
Here are some tips to optimize your website:
- Have a clear and intuitive navigation structure that makes it easy for visitors to find what they’re looking for. Use dropdown menus and categories to organize your content.
- Your website design should be visually appealing and reflect your brand’s personality. Use high-quality images, readable fonts, and a color scheme that complements your brand.
- Use relevant keywords in your website’s copy, meta tags, and URLs to help search engines rank your website higher in search results.
- Ensure your website is optimized for mobile devices, as an increasing number of people access the internet using their smartphones.
- Use clear and prominent CTAs throughout your website to encourage visitors to take action, such as making a purchase or signing up for your email list.
| Use tools like Google Search Console to monitor your website’s search engine rankings. |
3. Building an Online Presence
With the increasing popularity of online shopping, having a strong online presence is essential for any business looking to succeed in the digital age.
Leveraging Social Media
Using social media effectively will increase traffic to your online store and grow your customer base.
With billions of users worldwide, social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn offer excellent opportunities for businesses to connect with potential customers and build brand awareness.
Here are some ways you can leverage social media:
- Use high-quality images, videos, and graphics to create engaging social media posts that resonate with your target audience.
- Share product photos, behind-the-scenes footage, and customer testimonials to build brand awareness and trust.
- Use relevant hashtags in your social media posts to increase their visibility and reach.
- Respond to comments and messages promptly, and engage with your audience by asking questions and soliciting feedback.
Prosperna is the easiest way to accept orders and make your first online sale on Facebook and Instagram. You can manage your Facebook and Instagram shops straight from your Prosperna Dashboard without ever changing from one app to another.
Growing Your Email List
Email marketing allows you to communicate directly with potential customers, promote your products, and offer exclusive discounts and promotions.
Here’s how you can grow your email list and make your first online sale:
- Use pop-ups and sign-up forms on your website to encourage visitors to subscribe to your email list.
- Offer exclusive content, such as ebooks, whitepapers, or webinars, in exchange for email addresses. This is a great example of a lead generation strategy and can help position you as an expert in your industry.
- Partner with complementary businesses to cross-promote each other’s email lists. This strategy can help you tap into new audiences and expand your reach.
4. Promoting Your Store
According to the Department of Trade and Industry, there are more than 93,000 online sellers in the country. This means that the eCommerce industry has become a saturated market, and promoting your store is crucial for beating the competition.
Paid Advertising
Paid ads allow you to reach a targeted audience and drive traffic to your website, increasing your chances of converting visitors into customers.
Here are three paid advertising options to consider:
- Google Ads: You can bid on keywords related to your products and services, and display ads in Google search results and on other websites that use Google Adsense. You can use this strategy to find customers who are actively looking for products similar to yours.
- Facebook Ads: Target users based on demographics, interests, behaviors, and more. You can display ads in users’ newsfeeds, on Instagram, or in the Facebook Marketplace.
- Instagram Ads: Instagram Ads allow you to display ads in users’ feeds, stories, and explore pages. This strategy can be particularly effective for businesses targeting younger demographics.
Paid advertising can be a highly effective strategy for promoting your online store and making your first online sale.
However, it’s important to set a budget and track your results to ensure that you’re getting a positive return on investment.
Utilizing Influencers
Influencers are social media users with a large and engaged following who can endorse your products and introduce your brand to their audience.
Hire influencers who have a following that aligns with your target audience. Consider factors such as their niche, demographics, and engagement rates.
Then, be upfront about your expectations, including the type of content they should create, the timeline for posting, and the compensation they will receive.
Monitor the performance of your influencer campaigns to see if they are driving traffic and sales. Use unique discount codes and trackable links to measure the success of each campaign.
Influencer marketing can be a powerful way to promote your online store and increase your chances of making your first online sale and building a successful online business.
Final Thoughts
Making your first online sale can be a challenging but rewarding experience for any online business owner. By following the strategies outlined in this article, you can increase your chances of success and build a thriving online business.
Remember to be patient and persistent, as building a successful online business takes time and effort. Monitor your progress, track your results, and be willing to adapt your strategies as needed.
By combining these strategies with hard work, determination, and a commitment to providing high-quality products and customer service, you can make your first online sale and set yourself on the path to long-term success.
Prosperna, Your Partner to eCommerce Success
Prosperna is an all-in-one eCommerce platform for Philippine businesses. We are on a mission to empower 100,000 Philippine MSMEs with simple and affordable eCommerce solutions.
In fact, we are super passionate about helping Philippine MSMEs we’re giving you a free account forever!
Want to make your first online sale? Create your free-forever Prosperna account now.
