In today’s digitally dominant world, breaking into eCommerce isn’t just an optional approach for merchants — it’s a must for those who want to thrive. With more and more shoppers purchasing online, there are incredible opportunities to reach new customers, expand to global markets, and run your business 24/7 without consuming all your time.

But starting an eCommerce business involves more than simply listing products online. From picking the right platform to creating a smooth shopping experience and handling logistics, there are several critical elements to oversee.

This guide will cover everything new merchants need to get started and launch successfully in the fast-paced eCommerce industry.

The benefits of selling online

Online selling helps businesses expand their reach and improve efficiency. Key benefits of an eCommerce venture include:

• Brands can tap into a global audience, opening up opportunities to enter new markets.
• An online store generally requires fewer overhead costs than a traditional brick-and-mortar business.
• Brand owners can operate around the clock, which increases sales potential while providing convenience for customers.
• Online businesses can grow quickly and scale easily compared to physical stores.
• Sellers gain access to digital marketing tools like SEO, email marketing, and social media to drive targeted traffic to their stores.

eCommerce on different marketplaces

To learn step-by-step processes for selling on major online platforms and marketplaces like Amazon and eBay, check out these resources.

Amazon

• 4 Most Popular Ways to Sell on Amazon: Starting an Amazon venture? This article details four effective methods for selling on the platform, along with their benefits and challenges, to help you choose the right strategy for your brand on Amazon.
• How to Write Compelling Product Descriptions on Amazon: An eye-catching, informative product description is more likely to convert browsers into paying customers. In this guide, we’ll show you how to maximize Amazon’s 2,000-character limit and craft compelling descriptions for your offerings.
• How to Start Selling Books on Amazon: If you plan to sell new or used books on Amazon, this guide is an asset. It’ll explain how to begin selling books on the platform, from choosing the right delivery method to monitoring your sales.
• How to Set Up Your Amazon Store For Success: With more than 9.5 million global sellers, Amazon is the world’s largest online marketplace. Read this article to learn how to set up your own Amazon store and the critical factors that’ll help it stand out.

eBay

• How To Sell on eBay: 3-Step Checklist, Fulfillment, and Best Practices: This comprehensive guide covers everything from creating a seller account and listing items to following best practices, setting prices, and enhancing sales performance.
• eBay Fulfillment: Everything You Need to Know: Learn more about eBay’s fulfillment service fees. Here, we explain the onboarding process, the pros and cons of the service, and tips on refining your eBay fulfillment strategy.

Walmart

• How to Sell on Walmart Marketplace: This is a practical guide for sellers looking to expand their reach by tapping into Walmart’s growing platform. Learn how to set up an account, list your products, and optimize listings and pricing to enhance visibility and sales.
• Walmart vs. Amazon: Which eCommerce Marketplace Is Better for Your Brand?: Two retail giants, two thriving online platforms. This article lays out an in-depth comparison between Walmart Marketplace and Amazon to help you decide which marketplace suits your business.

DTC (direct to consumer)

• The Ultimate List of Direct-To-Consumer (DTC) Brands: This article contains a comprehensive list of notable DTC brands from different industries. Discover how these brands prioritize consumer relationships, utilize unique marketing strategies, and offer personalized products.
• Community Building Strategies For DTC Brands: Learn effective, DTC-focused tactics for community building, such as adding personality to your brand, understanding audience preferences, and incorporating feedback to guide your business strategy.
• DTC eCommerce Customer Acquisition: 10 Ways to Get Shoppers to Your Site: Here, we dive into proven strategies to boost your website traffic, including SEO, social media engagements, and sponsorships to enhance visibility.
• Why Every DTC Store Should Have an SEO Strategy (and How to Do It): SEO is critical for DTC brands, as it increases brand visibility and attracts leads. Read these six ways to leverage SEO techniques and see long-term benefits and higher conversions for DTC sellers.

Social media

• The Ultimate Guide to X (formerly Twitter) for eCommerce: Short, text-based content doesn’t have to restrict your creativity. However, X’s limited number of characters means you have to make every word count, and this article will tell you how.
• Leverage the Power of TikTok Shop to Grow Your eCommerce Business: Video reigns supreme in social media content, and with attention spans shrinking, short-form productions can attract new shoppers easily. TikTok Shop combines the best of video and social media by allowing users to view and buy products without leaving the platform. Check out our article on how to maximize this unique feature for your brand.
• Live Shopping: How to Use Livestream Videos to Boost eCommerce Conversions: Live streams are a great way to interact with consumers in real time and prompt them to make a purchase. Read on for an introduction to this form of selling and tips to boost conversions with it.

Understanding eCommerce logistics and operations

Every business owner must understand the ins and outs of eCommerce logistics and operations, from managing inventory and coordinating shipping to handling returns. Consider the following elements during your planning to provide a seamless shopping experience and keep your business running smoothly.

Selling models

• What Is Amazon 1P?: With this setup, Amazon handles pricing, fulfillment, and customer service, but you have less control over branding and product promotion. Learn the basics of Amazon first-party (1P) selling and how to leverage the platform’s logistics and advertising to see if it’s right for you.
• What Is Amazon 3P?: Through this route, you handle your own sales, inventory, fulfillment, customer service, returns — everything. Discover more about the 3P business model, how it compares to other options, and how to navigate this setup on Amazon smoothly.
• How to Become an Amazon 3P Seller: Interested in diving into 3P selling? Here’s a comprehensive guide on how to set up your Amazon seller account and manage fulfillment, inventory management, and customer service.
• Amazon 1P vs. 3P: Benefits of Each and Why to Move From 1P to 3P: If you’re still undecided about whether to sell 1P or 3P, this resource offers a rundown of the benefits and drawbacks of each model and their differences regarding pricing control, logistics, and profitability.
• Retail Arbitrage: Arbitrary Or a Winning Seller Strategy?: In simple terms, retail arbitrage involves purchasing items at low prices and reselling them for a profit. Gain the necessary know-how about this strategy, how it compares to other sales methods, and best practices to expand your business through it.
• Dropshipping 101: How to Start a Dropshipping Business: This model allows retailers to sell products without holding inventory, as suppliers ship products directly to consumers. Read on for more information about dropshipping, including benefits, risks, and strategies.

Logistics and fulfillment 101

• Benefits of a 3PL: Why To Outsource Your eCommerce Logistics: Are you considering hiring a third-party logistics (3PL) provider? Explore their key advantages, including reduced shipping costs, streamlined supply chain operations, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
• 6 Key Factors to Consider When Choosing a 3PL: Finding the right 3PL is important to maintain a seamless order fulfillment process. This post highlights six crucial factors to review before making a selection, such as capacity, shipping requirements, pricing, and expertise.
• A Practical Guide to Switching 3PLs: Switching from one 3PL to another is a critical move that can make or break your operations. This guide explains various fulfillment options and what to look for when shifting services.
• A Seller’s Guide to When to Use a 3PL vs. 4PL: After determining you need to outsource your fulfillment, you still need to decide whether you’ll hire a 3PL or a 4PL service. That choice requires careful consideration of factors like your business’s size, supply chain requirements, and growth goals. This article compares the two solutions to help you pinpoint which type of provider fits your needs.
• 10 Critical Questions to Ask Before Choosing Your Fulfillment Partner: What’s your ideal budget? What shipping services should you look into? Read the most important questions to ask when searching for the right fulfillment partner for your business.
• How to Add eCommerce Fulfillment Automation to Your Business: Streamline your eCommerce operations and enhance fulfillment efficiency with tech integration. This post discusses the importance of automating tasks like order processing, inventory tracking, and shipping to optimize your brand’s logistics.
• A Guide to The RFP Process: Steps for a Successful 3PL Search: Learn how to run a “request for proposal” to understand the strengths and weaknesses of all of your 3PL and warehouse options. See what you should include, which data points to pay special attention to, and more.

Fulfillment by Amazon (FBA)

• Why to Sell on Amazon with FBA: This step-by-step guide details how to sell through Amazon FBA, covering key aspects like setting up an FBA account, listing optimization, and managing inventory.
• How to Choose an Amazon FBA Prep Service: FBA prep services help sellers save time, ensure compliance with Amazon’s rules, and maintain product quality. Read on for more information about the FBA program, its benefits, and what to look for in an FBA prep service.
• Everything You Need to Know About Prepping and Managing FBA Shipments: This article provides essential tips for managing FBA shipments, including shipping and packing guidelines to meet Amazon’s requirements.

Launching your eCommerce business: What you need to know

From getting to know your audience to preparing your logistics, the below resources will help you stand out and gain loyal customers as you grow your business:

• New Product Launch Checklist: How to Collect Contacts and Sales Before You Go Live: Launching a new product? Before going live, here’s a helpful checklist that comprises critical steps like collecting emails, taking pre-orders, and generating buzz around your product.
• A 90-Day Amazon Product Launch Plan to Maximize Amazon Revenue: We constructed a 90-day plan that’ll equip you with the must-have knowledge to release a new product on Amazon and maximize revenue, covering product research to post-launch optimization.
• Local Market Research: Unveiling Insights for Business Development: Local market research helps brands assess supply and demand. This article outlines its importance in creating effective advertising strategies and refining business plans.
• Unlocking a Successful Brand Launch: 12 Key Considerations to Start Right: From market research and identifying target audiences to leveraging partnerships, these 12 factors will help entrepreneurs establish a successful brand in the competitive eCommerce landscape.

Growing your eCommerce business: What to focus on after launch

Once your eCommerce store is up and running, growing it requires you to optimize your marketing efforts, expand your product offerings, and improve customer retention. Here are some key areas to focus on at that stage.

eCommerce advertising strategies to consider

• Influencer Marketing Trends and How to Maximize It: Discover the benefits of influencer marketing for eCommerce brands and how to find the right personality for your business.
• Amazon Advertising Tips: Best Sellers, Ads, and Pushing Slow-Moving Stock: Check out these effective tips to promote new, best-selling, and slow-moving products on Amazon.
• Facebook ads vs. Google AdWords: Which is Better For Your eCommerce Brand?: Paid ads are one of the most impactful ways to reach new customers. Here’s a comparison between Facebook ads and Google AdWords to see which best suits your brand.
• The Benefits of Integrating Social Commerce Into Your eCommerce Platform: From increased brand exposure to higher conversion rates, delve into the many benefits of integrating social commerce into your eCommerce strategy.
• The Dos and Don’ts of Social Selling for eCommerce Businesses: Do you provide value to your audience or are you too pushy and spammy? Uncover how to capitalize on the power of social selling to connect with your target audience and drive sales.
• Importance of eCommerce Personalization in The Buyer Journey: Upgrade your consumer experience by adding personal touches throughout the buyer’s journey. Find out the best practices, tools, and how to craft effective eCommerce personalizations that convert.

Essential eCommerce metrics to track

• KPIs for eCommerce: What Are the Most Critical Analytics To Look At?: Discover the most important metrics and data to track to gain valuable insights, make informed decisions, and implement strategies for growth and profitability.
• Decoding December: Sales Metrics That Matter: Close the year strong and note the essential sales metrics to monitor during the busy month of December.

Scaling your eCommerce business

• Strategies for Scaling eCommerce Business: Discover the top strategies for scaling eCommerce businesses on and off Amazon to strengthen your brand’s digital presence.
• How to Scale Your eCommerce Business With On-Demand Fleet Management Solutions: Besides finding new customers and expanding your product line, an on-demand fleet can help eCommerce businesses scale efficiently. This resource outlines ways to leverage fleet management solutions to support your business growth.
• How to Use AI for eCommerce to Grow Your Business: When done right, AI can fast-track your eCommerce growth. Discover AI use cases and tools for your business, from optimizing product descriptions to streamlining order processing.

Protecting your business

Safeguarding your eCommerce brand is crucial for long-term success. Here are some important measures and strategies to help you avoid scams and protect your business across different platforms:

• 10 Common eCommerce Scams And How to Avoid Them: From brand impersonation and phishing attacks to affiliate scams, this article summarizes common eCommerce scams, along with ways to spot and prevent them.
• Amazon Brand Protection: How to Protect My Brand on Amazon: This is a comprehensive guide on protecting your eCommerce brand on Amazon. Learn more about enrolling in the platform’s Brand Registry program and monitoring your listings for counterfeit products.
• The Importance of eCommerce Inventory Insurance And How to Choose The Right Provider: Check out this article to learn why inventory insurance is essential for eCommerce businesses. We’ll explain what this type of insurance covers, the benefits of having coverage, and tips on choosing the right insurance provider.

Wrapping up — Unlock your eCommerce potential with the right know-how

Breaking into eCommerce can be a smart move for new business owners looking to expand and stay competitive. However, it’s important to lay a solid foundation by understanding the key elements of building and scaling an online store.

While this venture may seem overwhelming at first, with the right strategies and tools, you can position your business for long-term growth and success. Check out our blog to discover more tips, insights, and resources on navigating the eCommerce world.