How to start a retail-based website on a limited budget

Many of us have nurtured the dream of starting an online retail business from home. If this is the case, why have so few actually followed through to the point when such a vision was ultimately realised?

While there are many answers to this question, one of the most common and seemingly insurmountable involves limited finances. The majority of would-be freelancers are still under the misconception that such ventures require a great deal of money. You will therefore be happy to learn that this is no longer the case. In fact, some have even created highly successful retail websites for the equivalent of what a daily cup of coffee would cost. If you are still somewhat incredulous, this is quite understandable. Let’s take a look at how times have changed as well as why financial freedom could be much closer than you have been led to believe.

Forget about cutting corners

There are many times in life when we will be forced to sacrifice a wish or desire due to fiscal hardship. Some freelancers have the tendency of translating this statement into the digital domain. So, they begin “cutting corners” when designing a website. Perhaps they choose an unreliable service provider. They might instead employ a cheap and inefficient e-commerce platform to host the products and services that they have to offer. Both of these actions are recipes for disaster.

It costs very little to register a domain and to activate a website. Furthermore, top-notch e-commerce solutions such as those offered by Shopify Plus are associated with flexible pricing plans and free trial periods. So, there is literally nothing to lose when following your digital dream. Assuming that you have overcome the initial barriers, how can you be assured that the retail website in question will continue to turn a profit? While there are no “sure things” in this respect, one method exists which can dramatically increase your overall chances.

The intelligent approach to online success – go multi-channel

The intention of multi channel ecommerce is decidedly straightforward. By centralising your sales and marketing efforts within a single platform, it is much easier to manage day-to-day operations. Furthermore, you will be capable of making proactive decisions when the time is right as opposed to realising that a mistake has been made at a later date. The great thing about this approach is that the platforms themselves are intuitively simple to use. You will therefore spend less time “learning the ropes” and more effort can be devoted to actively promoting what it is that you have to offer.

In truth, you will need to invest a certain amount of money if you hope to develop a well-rounded retail website. It should still be noted that this initial financial outlay can be dramatically eclipsed by future success. The bottom line is that you should never allow the concept of a limited budget to intimidate you to the point that you are afraid to take the next step. A rough road often leads to the stars.