Many want to try venturing into eCommerce because of its opportunities. The beauty of eCommerce is that huge parts are still waiting to be explored despite being a little congested. It wouldn't hurt to try your luck entering this market.
Do you want to start an eCommerce business but need help getting started? Luckily, this blog post is just what you need. As you leaf through this article, you will learn how to start an eCommerce business and find the right domestic courier services to begin your journey. Read now!
Starting Your eCommerce Journey in Canada
Although there was a significant disruption in retail channels, Canadians have adopted the eCommerce industry. In 2022, more than 27 million Canadians took advantage of eCommerce, accumulating over 75% of the country's population. You can expect a steady increase to 77.6% in the next three years.
These numbers are a good sign to begin your journey right at this moment. If having your own eCommerce business is a bit overwhelming, this checklist will help you sort things out.
There are thousands of niches worldwide, so identifying one that matches your strengths can be challenging. However, you can narrow down your options by listing your interests, knowing the problems you want to solve, the causes you wish to support, the competitions, etc.
Once you identify your niche, researching is the next crucial step. The research must include answers to the customer's questions, solutions to the problems, and how you can market them so that the target audience can automatically distinguish your brand.
While research is not a one-time process, you can establish your brand once you get enough information about your niche. Use a recognizable logo and identifiable color palette. Choose colors that will make customers immediately think of your brand without seeing the name or logo.
Of course, to make your eCommerce business official, you need to register it. You must get the necessary permit and licenses to avoid problems in the long run. You have to register your company at a federal or territorial level. Then, prepare the documents needed at the Trade Registry. You also have to obtain a tax identification and VAT number.
You may call the trade registry or visit this website for further information.
Whether having team members or being a one-person team, your company can operate more effectively and accurately when you use the proper tools. It is crucial to choose the appropriate tools and software for the job. Using the wrong ones may complicate the task and provide safety risks. Thus, getting the right tools can prevent or reduce foreseen problems.
Some of the tools you can use to start your business are WooCommerce (website tool), Semrush (research tool), Slack (communication tool), Mailchimp (marketing tool), Google Analytics (analytics tool), and Canva (image editor tool).
Aside from being mandated by the Canadian government, creating a website helps promote your brand to the target audience and helps in brand awareness. As your audience identify who you are and what you stand for, you can establish your image.
Additionally, you can stand out from the competition by providing users with trustworthy information, business updates, and announcements. It also provides credibility, leads, website traffic, and shopper experience.
In 2021, about 32.53 million Canadians used social media websites for various reasons, making them an excellent avenue to market your business. You can quickly connect with your target audience, promote your brand, and learn more about your customers (potential and existing).
Some tools you can use are Facebook, Instagram, and Tiktok. In fact, these three websites allow you to create a separate business account/page to make them easier to manage.
Having goals allows you to lead your company in the right direction. However, not all steps can lead you closer to your goals. Some may draw you two steps back, which you do not want to happen. Thus, plan all the moves carefully you'll about to take. The business might always be full of risks, but negative impacts can be prevented with caution.
On the other hand, dividing your goals into short-term and long-term goals can help you prioritize tasks and focus on more crucial tasks. It also allows you to accomplish plans faster.
You can send any parcel or complete the fulfillment process without having a reliable shipping provider. But how can a business know if they are the best shipping solutions?
Flexibility. Small business shipping solutions should be able to accommodate more than one shipping service. They might be unable to fulfill your needs if they don't have enough shipping services. If so, seek a shipping company that can streamline the shipping procedure.
Partner with a courier company that can offer standard shipping, next-day delivery, and express services without problems.
Superb Customer Service. Customer service is the brand's first line of defense. High-quality customer support can increase customer satisfaction, improve retention, and foster loyalty.
Fast Delivery Times. A fast delivery is not just about quick delivery service, but should also be efficient. The courier service must also provide a realistic transit time to avoid complaints and issues.
Safety Precautions. A domestic courier service should follow safety precautions and protocols. While issues and problems rarely happen in the courier industry, you must not be complacent. So, partner with industry experts to ensure that every shipment safely arrives at its destination.
Affordable Shipping Service. You should not only aim for logistics solutions that provide a good service. They must also be able to offer cheap delivery and shipping rates to reduce costs. With affordable shipping, you can also give out shipping discounts to customers.
If you haven't considered any domestic shipping partner yet, we suggest you try Stallion Express. Being Canada's leading shipping provider, you can rely on receiving the best express delivery in Canada.
With technology, Stallion Express makes it easier for users to streamline their services and make fulfillment more manageable. Plus, you can save up to 40% compared to shipping with a national carrier.
So what are you waiting for? Sign up for an account now and ship with Stallion Express!
For the cheapest shipping to Canada from the US, you may check Shippsy.
Aman looks after the content marketing department at Stallion Express. He is passionate about helping businesses grow by providing informative and up-to-date trends in the eCommerce industry. Outside the office, you can find him on the soccer field cheering on Real Madrid.