You can have all the business knowledge necessary to succeed in eCommerce, but if you don’t have the right product – your store isn’t going anywhere. Picking your niche and your product are probably the most important two decisions you can make. So, be sure to take your time and think about what your goals are as a business owner. After all, this will be the basis of your eCommerce business, so, be sure to pick wisely.
1. Do your research
No matter the niche you’re aiming for, be sure to first do your research as to how your product performs overall. Learn the insides and outs of it, see how your competitors are doing with the product, and finally, make sure it’s something you’re passionate about as well. When doing research, you can employ a number of tried and tested eCommerce tools to help you on the journey. For example, in the salehoo review, the tool is said to help you find the winning product and provide an online community for wholesalers, dropshipphers, and eCommerce business owners.
2. Build a brand
People don’t buy what you do, they buy why you do it. Developing a strong brand name and image is important for any business, but it is essential as far as eCommerce goes. The reason your branding matters is because it inspires customer loyalty, helps you become a recognized name, and overall – helps you in marketing as well. If you have a story to tell about your product and what problems it aims to solve, that’s even better.
3. Niche down
Ecommerce is extremely competitive, so, you need to have a way to stand out. This is why it’s so important to find your lane and niche down. Otherwise, jumping in the deep end with a mass market product offering can be tough. Instead, try to think about a product that doesn’t have as much competition first. You should be able to target a specific market, and address their concerns effectively.
4. Do a thorough keyword research
Once you find a niche a lane for your product, make sure online SEO checks out as well. SEO has the highest ROI of any eCommerce marketing campaign, yet most online shops are put together with little care for search engines. If you want to make it far as a business, you need a well optimized SEO-friendly website. Similarly, if the keywords associated with your product are dominated by already established corporations (Nike, Amazon, etc.), you might want to find something else.
5. Find your unique angle
Chances are, there are already many other people selling what you want to sell. However, to stand out, you need a strong USP (unique selling proposition). It can be your branding, your story, or possibly even a home-made product. Your USP is a benefit that makes your business preferable to other businesses in your market. Make sure it’s something your customers resonate with are and are passionate about.