9 Essential Skills and Tools to Start your eCommerce Business and Make Money Online

Are you a full-time employee exploring the possibilities of starting an online side hustle but don’t know where to get help? Are you a stay-at-home mom wanting to start selling products online and don’t know where to start? Are you just someone dreaming of owning an eCommerce store, but don't know exactly how to get started?

Don't worry, you're not the only one! I was once like you, but today I have managed to build and grow two successful e-commerce businesses. I will share my experience with you, give you valuable tips, and help you step by step to pave the way to your online success. An eCommerce business is a great strategy to help you grow your money and achieve financial freedom.

The Good News is that anyone can start an eCommerce business. With advancements in technology and the proliferation of online tools and platforms, the process has become easier and more accessible than ever. Moreover, you don’t need a high upfront capital or a physical store to launch your online store. In this article, I provide you with 9 essential skills and tools to need to start up your eCommerce business.

1- Discipline

Yes, you hear me right, the first thing you need to start your online business is discipline. Not motivation but discipline. Just like any other business, building an eCommerce business is an exciting process, but one that is accompanied by numerous challenges and complex tasks.

You need a lot of time in the beginning to address these challenges and complete all the necessary tasks that will get you up and running. So if you are not disciplined and well organized you will give up too quickly. You will have to reorganize your daily activities and dedicate an hour or two every day to work on your eCommerce business.

2- Computer Literacy

It sounds weird, but many people do not have sufficient knowledge and skills to use computer apps. You have to learn and become familiar with operating a computer and its applications. People know how to use smartphones but they don't know how to use computers's App. When you start an online store there are a lot of tasks that you will be completing on your laptop.

If you are not familiar with computer applications, you will have to pay someone to do it for you. Paying someone will require money which you may not have at the beginning. Additionally, paying someone means that you have to wait until the person has enough time to complete your tasks, which can delay your start-up process. That is why I always advise people to learn how to do some of the tasks themselves.

When I started my eCommerce business, I learned how to build websites on YouTube. I built my online store and uploaded products online myself. Today, I also do my website and stock updates myself. The process was easy for me because I spent a lot of time on my laptop and knew how to use most computer applications. I will advise you to do the same.

3- A Product

Before starting any business, you have to think about the product or service that you want to offer to people. You have to ask yourself questions like what is in demand? Or what are the things that people around me are interested in? The same applies to eCommerce, think of the type of product you want to offer online.

It is a physical product such as a home décor? ?or a digital product such as an eBook? The type of product that you want to offer will guide you on the type of website you need to build or have. It will also determine whether you need to buy some stocks in advance. Depending on the market demand and your interest, you have to determine if that product can be easily sold online or not.

Nowadays, almost everything can be sold online but some products are easier to process online than others. Therefore, you have to take some time to brainstorm about your products and Niche. I have made a YouTube video on online product ideas and how to identify and select the right product to sell online.

4- A Business Name

A business name is one of the important requirements for starting any business and you have to choose it carefully. Your business name represents your brand and your business identity. It plays a significant role in the success of your eCommerce business. Your business name has to be unique and memorable so that customers can recognize and remember you.

Your business name has to give an idea of the type of products you are offering or the niche you are into. A good tip for determining your business name is to consider your name and the industry you will be venturing into. For example, one of my business names is SandyCare.? When potential customers hear that name, what comes to their mind is personal care products. For my chips business, the business name is MEFE Kitchen. People can immediately relate to it as foodstuffs. ?

5- A Domain Name

Anyone who wants to set up an eCommerce business must register a domain name. A domain is unique to each business. So, after choosing your business name, you have to choose your domain, check if it is available for use, and then register it. You must choose a domain name that represents your business and brand and supports a strong online presence. Most people use their business name as their domain name.

That is why your business name has to be original so that you have a high chance of it being available to use as your domain name as well when it is time to do your domain name registration. You can check the availability of the domain name you want online through reputable domain registrars , and register it with any one of the Web hosting companies to ensure it is ready for use quickly. I am based in South Africa and I use Afrihost

6- A Website with an Online store

Once you register your domain name, you need to build your website with an online store or get someone to do it for you. Building a website is very easy. If you have time, I will advise you to do it yourself because you will learn a lot throughout the process (Like how to optimize your website) and will also be able to do your updates whenever it is required.

There are modular systems and platforms such as WordPress or Shopify to create an attractive website or your online shop independently and without in-depth technical knowledge. As mentioned previously I have built my website myself and I am using WordPress integrated with a Woocommerce plugin. I will do a video on how to build a website using WordPress and why I prefer the WordPress platform.

7- An Online Payment solution

Once your website is set up you need to integrate an online payment solution (Payment plugin) to accept payment on your website and provide your customers with a safe and convenient purchasing process. ?Partner with an efficient online payment provider that also provides buyer protection for secure transactions.

8- A marketplace Account

In the process of setting up your eCommerce business, I recommend that you also apply to sell one of the marketplaces in your country and set up your marketplace account. Marketplaces have millions of active users and thus provide instant access to a large pool of potential customers. Therefore, selling on a marketplace can offer enormous advantages for people like you just starting.

Selling on a marketplace as soon as possible will speed up your online visibility and reach and quickly drive your first sales. When you launch an online store, it is very difficult to make the first sales because you do not have visibility yet. Unless you spend a lot of money advertising on social media and promoting your website online. Or maybe if you sell a very rare product that is in high demand in your region. I sell all my products on the Takealot marketplace .

So if you set up a marketplace account and post your products there, you will start selling in the first few weeks and not get discouraged or have the feeling that you are not going anywhere. The marketplace can also be a great tool to use to validate your online business idea as customers provide a lot of reviews there, which can help evaluate your products and make some improvements if needed.

9- A Reliable courier company partnership

If you want to sell physical products online, you need to develop a relationship with a reliable courier company. Selling physical products online requires logistics and delivery to ensure that your products reach customers on time. Partnering with a reliable courier company is essential to help you handle orders efficiently and ensure reliable, cost-effective, and efficient shipping and tracking of customers’ orders without logistical headaches.

Key takeaways

Now you know the 9 essential skills and tools you need to start your successful eCommerce business, from the ground up and maintain it in the long term. Starting an eCommerce business is easy and anyone can do it. Selling products online can be lucrative especially if you provide a great product that adds value to people’s lives. Moreover, it can help you develop multiple streams of income and achieve financial freedom.

If you need more details on any of the tools listed above or if you need help with the validation of a product you have been wanting to sell online, please comment in the section below or feel free to reach out. I will provide you with personalized advice on your business idea or how to start up.