Covid-19 and E-Commerce

The COVID-19 pandemic has made a big impact on not only Canadian economy, but worldwide economy. With the closing of many stores, it is e-commerce businesses that prospered. You will discover the numerous sides of starting an online business in this article, including the markets best suited for online stores, the benefits of e-commerce, and how to develop a successful e-commerce strategy. Hang tight to get all the information you need to become a successful e-commerce entrepreneur!

A new opportunity

Due to the pandemic and the numerous entrepreneurs looking for new chances in the face of the uncertain economy, there has been an increase in internet businesses and more specifically e-commerce. With government funding available in Canada, starting an online business may be a good choice for you. However, creating a good e-commerce strategy is crucial for success in this field and you should have stress management techniques in place to prevent problems such as burnout.

What are the options for my new business?

First of all, I will tell you that starting an online business from home has never been easier, especially when there are so many possibilities! With the various existing fields, you could start an online business in the areas of handmade goods, wellness products, eco-friendly and sustainable household goods, pet supplies and accessories, beauty and skincare products, tech accessories, and so many more. With the right mindset and a little creativity, the options for an online store are limitless! Make sure you think well before making a choice, since once the choice is made, you will start building your brand and making it grow and prosper.

Is e-commerce right for me?

Starting an e-commerce store is the right choice for all sorts of people, but especially youngsters. As people who are trying to manage all facets of life at the same time, the opportunity to own a business but work from home is ideal. With the advancements of technology over the past decades, there is no need for a physical store anymore. An online store helps you save a lot of money on rent, transport, cashiers, and many other expenses, not to mention the comfort of working from home!

The creation of your e-commerce strategy

To create an e-commerce strategy for your business, you need to first understand your target audience, analyze your competition, and identify your unique selling points. Then, determine your online sales channel. This is especially important since if you choose a channel that does not allow you to stand out from the others such as Amazon, your business will be doomed. Next, set clear goals and measure progress. Measuring your progress will allow you to see if what you are doing is working in your favor, or if you need to change some things. You should also create a plan to drive traffic to your site through search engine optimization, social media marketing, and other digital marketing efforts. Without marketing, there will be no sales. It is also important to ensure a seamless and secure checkout process, offer various payment options, and implement a strong post-purchase customer experience to increase customer loyalty and repeat purchases. Regularly monitoring and adjusting your strategy based on data and customer feedback will help you continually improve and stay ahead in the e-commerce game. Luckily, there are platforms that provide the above tools for you to make it even easier for your business to prosper such as Kishman's WebstoreTM product.

Staying happy and healthy

To avoid burnout in a high-stress environment, it's important to prioritize self-care and maintain a healthy work-life balance. This may include setting boundaries, practicing mindfulness and exercise, and seeking support from friends, family, and taking regular breaks, which luckily is easier in the field of online business since you have so much more freedom. Additionally, it's important to manage workload and delegate tasks when necessary to avoid feeling overwhelmed. To spot and avoid e-commerce entrepreneurial burnout, look out for symptoms such as decreased motivation, decreased energy levels, and changes in sleep and appetite. If you notice these signs, take action by reducing your workload, seeking support, and prioritizing self-care activities. Remember to also celebrate your successes and focus on the reasons why you started your e-commerce business in the first place. Taking care of yourself and avoiding burnout will ultimately benefit both you and your business in the long run. Additionally, avoid websites that leave sellers unsatisfied. If you choose a website similar to Amazon which not only does not allow your brand to grow by blending you in with other sellers, but also leaves you out of control when it comes to shipping and customer support.

Some statistics

The worldwide e-commerce market is thought to be worth billions of dollars now and is expanding quickly. The size of the Canadian e-commerce market, which was projected to be over $38 billion in 2021, is anticipated to increase more in the years to come. Online sales made up 9.2% of all retail sales in the fourth quarter of 2020 which was the year when the pandemic started, according to Statistics Canada. The COVID-19 epidemic has caused more Canadians to purchase online, and this development in e-commerce can be ascribed to both the convenience and range of products offered through e-commerce platforms. These figures truly demonstrate the rising significance of e-commerce for companies seeking to connect with customers as well as its potential for future expansion.

Our Solution

If you have decided to start your online store, Kishman’s Webstore™ might be just what you are looking for. Due to the fact that this product offers you your own website, you will be able to start advancing your own brand from day one. Webstore has 3 different plans, and you will surely find one that suits your needs the best. Some of the features included in the different plans are the following:

• One free domain and branded email accounts.
• Showcase your products and services.
• Show horizontal banners at home page of store
• Take control of product display along with pictures, description, prices, quantities, inventory etc.
• Shopping cart along with recommended items at the checkout.
• Merchant account - Add & edit products, manage orders, shipping costs, discounts, inventory management. Manage store background theme, Analytics (Stats, Reports, insights) etc.,
• Integration to payment system provider (needs application),
• Order management with reports,
• Customer reviews: Allow customers to post reviews on the product page.
• Shipping options: Shipping options, discount offers management etc.
• Guidance and Customer support.
• Security features: SSL certificate, back-end data encryption and secured hosting environment.
• 99% System Reliability

Conclusion

In conclusion, starting your own e-commerce business has never been so easy. With a plan and access to all the tools you need, you are all set to start your own prospering company!