Setting up an online shop: Tips and techniques. Leanne Edwards & Debra Jones Co-founders of online boutique

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1 Setting up an online shop: Tips and techniques Leanne Edwards & Debra Jones Co-founders of online boutique

2 About us Studied Interactive Media at college Studied digital marketing at the IDM Worked within the web team at The Royal Mint Leanne worked as an Online Marketing Specialist Debra worked as Web Manager at Cardiff Metropolitan University About us Two years ago we set up Love from Rosie Debra Leanne

3 Why do you need a website? In today s competitive market place having an online presence is more important than ever A good website will give you the opportunity to: Attract new customers Increase sales Nurture relationships with existing customers Grow your business A website allows you to be open for business any time, anywhere via multiple channels

4 How do you set-up a website? The fundamentals of planning and building a website are: Registering a domain name Choosing a platform Selecting the right payment options Planning website content Website design Search Engine Optimisation Attracting customers Analytics

5 Registering a domain name To set up a website you will need a domain name e.g. It is relatively low cost to register a domain name.co.uk costs around 3.49 per year.com costs around per year Tip: Always renew domains promptly to avoid losing them!

6 Choosing a platform Many companies offer ecommerce solutions with ready made templates, hosting and payment processing Register for trials Optimise for mobile Tip: To keep costs to a minimum start with a low cost package which can be upgraded as your website and business grows

7 Selecting the right payment system If you would like to accept card payments on your website you will need a payment gateway A payment gateway allows you to securely process payments on your website You can also choose to accept Paypal payments in addition or instead of a payment gateway Tip: If you have a physical store and accept card payments speak to your provider about using the same service online

8 Planning your website Content Understanding your target audience can help you decide what content to include on your website What are their needs? What will they expect to see? How will they get to it? Your website must be easy to search and navigate Create a simple site plan Organise your products into logical categories Consider how the pages will link together

9 Considering your website design Incorporate your brand identity through colour, fonts, writing style and images What differentiates you from your competitors? What impression do you want to create for your brand? Does your website convey that impression?

10 Product Pages A well-designed product page will increase your chances of converting visitors into buyers Good quality images Concise product descriptions Specifications (size, material, colour etc.) A clear call to action button Clear delivery charges and returns policy

11 Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) Nearly 80% of all internet traffic begins at a search engine! Brain storm a list of keywords and phrases Include your keywords in your content Optimise internal links, categories, page names and headings Good quality and relevant content is key to success

12 Website Analytics Analytics can tell you how well your site is performing Google Analytics is free and easy to install and will allow you to: Monitor website statistics Plan future marketing activity Identify problem areas on your website Improve customer journey and conversion rate

13 Attracting customers Social media is now widely used to attract customers Do Engage users with interesting content Encourage feedback and respond quickly Offer exclusive deals to fans and followers Don t Constantly broadcast sales messages Ignore negative comments If you have budget consider PPC, Google shopping feeds, retargeting and affiliate campaigns

14 PR The key to our success has been brand building both online and offline Identify key influencers within your sector Contact relevant bloggers Introduce your brand to journalists Issue press releases when appropriate Don t give up if your products are not featured straight away

15 Our advice - Don t reinvent the wheel Build upon your existing plans, procedures and experience We recommend: Researching delivery methods as costs depend on the size of the parcel and delivery address Have a plan in place to manage your stock Be aware of distance selling regulations Make use of new technologies to grow your business Ask for advice Never assume your website is finished!

16 We hope you found our presentation useful! Contact us at: Facebook.com/vintagerosie Twitter.com/love_from_rosie