This document provides guidance on creating a successful online store. It outlines key considerations for setting up an online store, including choosing a platform, customizing the site design, optimizing products for search, and establishing policies. The top benefits of opening an online store are expanding your customer base, increasing income and brand recognition by offering products 24/7. Key decisions include choosing between hosted or non-hosted platforms, standalone or embedded site designs, and prioritizing search optimization, product descriptions, and high-quality product photos.

1. CREATING AN ONLINE STORE
CHISA PENNIX-BROWN, MBA
NC’S #1 SMALL BUSINESS FACILITATOR

2. Welcome & Agenda
• Please turn phones to silent or vibrate
• Ask questions
• Facilitator & Introductions
• Follow the Facebook page
www.FB.com/LadyBiznessInc

3. Why YOU should NOT
open an online store?

4. Top 5
Reasons
Not to OPEN
You want to make money quickly
You do not want to invest time
You need a guaranteed income
You are not web savvy
You get discouraged easily

5. Why you Should open
an online store?

6. Top 5
Reasons
TO Open
You have a great product/service
24 hour access
Additional product offerings
Expand your customer base
Increase income & brand
recognition

7. Decisions
To Make

8. Things to consider
Hosted vs. Non-Hosted
• Cost per month
• How many products you can list
• Integration into social media
• Integration into existing site
• Type of site you want to have

9. Types of Sites
Stand Alone
• Works Independently
• Website Address (____.site.com)
• Monthly Fee
Embedded
• Can be integrated into your site
• Can be integrated into social
media
Plugins/Applications
• Works in blogs as an add in

10. Setup Steps
• Choose a Store Name
• Choose a theme
• Upload logos/avatars
• Create a catalog
• Decide on shipping
• Input Store policy

11. Site choices
Shopify.com
StorEnvy.com
BigCartel.com
Volusion.com
Square.com
Etsy.com
Artfire.com
RubyLane.com
Ebay.com
Amazon.com
Zazzle.com
CafePress.com
SpreadShirt.com

12. Digital Products
Files, Whitepapers, E-Books
• Sellfy.com
• Selz.com
• GumRoad.com
• Payloadz.com
• E-Junkie.com

13. Your Story
Use your about page to
give people detail about
the business, your
personal journey as an
entrepreneur.
• 20-200 words
• Links to outside media
• Photos

14. Think Like a
Customer
• Create a Strong Brand
• Logo
• Maintain Colors
• Header, Shop Icons,
Sales
• Fiverr.com
• Etsy.com
• Canva

15. Customer profile
• Demographics
• Psychographics
• Behaviors
• Locations

16. Search Optimization
• Use Keywords
• Actually search for your business
• Actually search for products
• Check out the competition
• Use hashtags where appropriate

17. Product
Descriptions
Decide on the
way you
want to craft
your message!

18. Get Found
1. What is it?
2. What is it specifically? What type?
3. Who is it for?
4. What is the main material?
5. What is the main color?
6. What method or technique did you use to make it?
7. Where will the item be used?
8. What size is it?
9. What style is it?
10. What imagery or motifs are on the item?
11. Are there synonyms?
12. What is the scent or flavor?
13. What era is it from?
14. What occasion is it for?
15. What is your Shop Name?

19. Store Policy
1. All Sales NOT Final
2. Prevent The Return
3. Use Plain English
4. Make It Easy To Find
5. No Hidden Return Costs
6. Time Frame Limitations
7. Exchange, Credit, Cash?
8. Knowledgeable Staff

20. Product Photos
• Visual Impact
• Use Natural Light
• Create a Lightbox
• Use versatile people
• Use varied angles
• Use all the available
placement

21. THANK YOU
CHISA PENNIX-BROWN, MBA
• LADYBIZNESS.COM
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• FACEBOOK.COM/LADYBIZNESSINC
• TWITTER.COM/LADYBIZNESS
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• LEAVE A 5 STAR REVIEW ON GOOGLE