Ecommerce Checklist: 13 Essential Tasks to Launch An Online Store

Starting an online store is an exciting adventure. With the ecommerce industry flourishing, there are endless opportunities for success.

Perhaps you’re eager to turn your dream of offering custom Christmas ornaments into a reality, or your deep love for vintage clothing has ignited a desire to share your collection with fellow vintage enthusiasts worldwide…

But to thrive as an ecommerce retailer, you have to get the basics right.

Need some help to get started? Our all-inclusive ecommerce checklist lays out 13 key tasks you need to tackle for a successful launch of your online store, as well as tips for starting an ecommerce shop.

Building the Foundation: 13 Steps to Ecommerce Launch

Make sure you check all the boxes of this ecommerce checklist to launch your online store:

1. Choose Your Niche and Products

Your niche is essentially your unique market segment. It’s where your expertise and passion align with existing market demand. To choose your niche, think about what genuinely interests you and align that with what people are buying. Finding this sweet spot is crucial for a fulfilling and profitable ecommerce venture.

2. Market Research

Conduct thorough market research as you get rolling:

• Understand Your Audience: Research your target audience to learn about their preferences, needs, and pain points. Understanding your customers on a deep level helps you tailor your products and marketing strategies to meet their expectations.
• Competitor Analysis: Analyze your competitors to identify gaps in the market and areas where you can set your business apart.
• Market Trends: Stay updated with market trends to ensure your product selection remains relevant. This data informs your decision-making throughout your ecommerce journey.

3. Business Plan

An ecommerce business plan should include:

• Goals and Objectives: A comprehensive business plan should define your short-term and long-term goals. These goals guide your decision-making process, and help you stay focused.
• Budget: Your budget should include startup costs, operating expenses, marketing expenditures, and potential sources of revenue. Having a well-structured budget ensures financial stability.
• Revenue Projections: Detailed revenue projections provide insight into your expected income over time. They are crucial for assessing the potential profitability of your business.
• Attracting Investors: A well-structured business plan has the power to draw the interest of potential investors, be they banks, venture capitalists, or angel investors, all of whom recognize the potential in your ecommerce venture.

4. Legal Matters

Registering your business legally is a fundamental step. It helps you operate within the bounds of the law and provides you with the necessary legal protections. You might also explore licenses and permits, as well as if there are any ecommerce regulations you should be know.

5. Domain and Hosting

Your domain name is your online identity. Choose a domain name that reflects your brand and is memorable. It should be easy for customers to remember and type into their browsers.

The next step: Reliable hosting. Hosting is crucial for a smooth operating website. Ensure your hosting provider offers fast loading times, excellent uptime, and 24/7 customer support. Slow-loading websites can drive potential customers away.

6. Ecommerce Platform Selection

When choosing an ecommerce platform, factor in your budget, technical proficiency, and the specific features essential for your online store. Some popular options include:

• Shopify
• WooCommerce
• Wix
• Squarespace
• BigCommerce
• Magento

In terms of simplicity, Shopify, Wix and Squarespace can be used by anyone, even those with little-to-no web development experience. The other platforms tend to be great for building customizations, but typically require a bit of development knowledge.

7. Website Design

Investing in professional website design is vital. An intuitive, responsive, and aesthetically pleasing website not only improves the user experience but also fosters trust among customers and creates a lasting, positive impression.

Here’s a key idea:

Design your website as if it’s a physical store. Create an inviting storefront that’s easy to navigate, with clear signage and appealing window displays (high-quality images and banners). Think of your product pages as well-organized shelves, and ensure a smooth checkout process, like a speedy and friendly cashier.

Your website’s design is the first impression your customers get – make it an unforgettable one!

8. Content Creation

Delivering top-notch content, e.g. product descriptions, images, and website copy, is a fundamental step in boosting your website’s search engine visibility. Well-optimized content can attract more organic traffic, which can be a significant source of customers.

9. SEO Strategy

SEO is the cornerstone of improving your website’s search engine ranking. Implement a robust SEO strategy that includes identifying and using relevant keywords, optimizing images to improve load times, and creating high-quality backlinks to boost your website’s credibility in the eyes of search engines.

10. Payment Gateway Setup

The selection of a secure payment gateway is crucial for smooth transactions. Ensure that it supports various payment methods to cater to your customers’ preferences and streamline the buying process.

11. Shipping and Logistics

Determine your shipping strategy, including the choice of carriers, setting competitive shipping rates, and defining shipping zones. Transparent shipping information helps set clear expectations for your customers and can reduce cart abandonment rates.

12. Security Measures

Website security is non-negotiable. Protect your website and customer data by implementing SSL certificates to encrypt sensitive information, conducting regular security audits, and implementing strong authentication processes to keep customer data safe from potential breaches.

13. Marketing and Promotion

A meticulously planned marketing strategy is essential to driving traffic to your website and generating sales.

Some tips:

• Utilize social media advertising to reach a highly targeted audience.
• Build a subscriber list and send personalized promotions and updates through email marketing.
• Optimize your website for search engines to improve organic traffic (SEO).
• Run Google Ads campaigns to appear in search results and on relevant websites with pay-per-click (PPC) advertising.
• Create valuable content, such as blog posts, videos, or guides, to attract and educate potential customers.
• Collaborate with influencers to promote your products to their engaged audience.
• Partner with affiliates to drive sales and pay them a commission for each sale.
• Encourage customers to refer friends in exchange for discounts or rewards through referral programs.
• Expand your reach by selling on online marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, or Etsy.
• Use retargeting ads to re-engage visitors who have left your site without making a purchase.

Ecommerce Checklist: Tips for a Successful Online Store Launch

Alright, you’ve got all essential business tasks working. What comes next? Be sure to follow the next phase of our ecommerce checklist to successfully promote your new store:

1. Mobile Optimization

With the increasing number of users shopping on their smartphones, having a mobile-responsive website is crucial. Ensure that your website looks and functions well on various mobile devices, offering a seamless shopping experience.

2. User Testing

Before your official launch, conduct thorough user testing to identify and resolve any usability issues. This can include checking for broken links, slow page loading times, and ensuring that the checkout process is intuitive and user-friendly. Addressing these issues can significantly improve the overall user experience.

3. Analytics Integration

Implement website analytics tools like Google Analytics to track user behavior. By monitoring user interactions and data, you can gather valuable insights about your website’s performance. These insights can guide your ongoing improvements and marketing strategies.

4. Customer Support

Providing excellent customer support is essential for building trust and encouraging repeat business. Consider offering various support options, such as live chat, email support, and phone support, to cater to different customer preferences. Prompt and helpful responses to customer inquiries can leave a positive impression and create loyal customers.

5. Social Proof

Incorporate customer reviews on your product pages. Positive feedback from previous customers can significantly boost your credibility and help drive conversions. Encourage satisfied customers to share their experiences and thoughts about your products.

6. Backup and Recovery

Regularly back up your website’s data to prevent data loss. Additionally, set up a disaster recovery plan to minimize downtime in the event of unexpected events, such as server crashes or cyberattacks. Having a reliable backup and recovery system is critical to safeguarding your business and customer data.

7. Content Calendar

Creating a content calendar is essential for maintaining consistent engagement with your audience. This includes planning and scheduling regular blog posts and social media updates. Fresh and relevant content keeps your audience engaged, informed, and interested in your brand, products, and industry.

8. Compliance

Stay up to date with ecommerce regulations and data protection laws. Compliance is crucial to avoid potential legal issues and fines. Regularly review and update your privacy policy and terms of service to ensure they reflect the latest legal requirements.

9. Continuous Improvement

After your ecommerce launch, don’t consider your work done. Regularly assess your ecommerce setup list for areas that need improvement. Customer feedback is a valuable resource for refining your online store. Whether it’s through surveys, reviews, or direct communication with customers, their insights can guide you toward ongoing enhancements and growth.

Use This Ecommerce Checklist to Start on the Right Foot

By following this ecommerce checklist, you’re setting your online store up for success. Remember that launching your store is just the beginning. Continuous improvement, adaptability, and a focus on customer satisfaction will be the keys to your ecommerce success.

Take your business to new heights with a reliable ecommerce store right at your customers’ fingertips. With fully customizable features and a user-friendly brand layout, FTx Commerce is your ticket to skyrocketing success!

Ready to get started with us? Get in touch with us today and schedule a consultation and experience a demo!