How Do I Start an eCommerce Business in Canada?

How Do I Start an eCommerce Business in Canada?
Photo : How Do I Start an eCommerce Business in Canada?

eCommerce is a rapidly growing industry that is likely to continue expanding as time goes on. Consumers enjoy the convenience and ease that comes with ordering goods and services over the internet. If you have an interest in starting an eCommerce business in Canada, it's a great idea! Read on to find out exactly how to launch your new company. 

Choose a Business Name

One of the first steps in the process is to decide on your business name. This name should be relevant to your niche so that it will be recognizable to customers. It should also let the customers know what you offer without them needing to ask.  

Make sure to do your research before committing to a name. Some names are already copyrighted and therefore not available for you to use. You can search online databases to check if your desired business name is copyright. 

Domain Registration and Web Host

The domain name is the address that customers will type into their browser to access your website. Hopefully, you can make your domain match your business name. This name is very important because it is your opportunity to make yourself memorable to customers. Ideally, you will select an easy-to-remember name that is not too long or complicated. If you get stuck, many online domain name generators can help you find something relevant and available. 

After you choose your domain name, you will need to register it. If you want, you can combine this step with web hosting. Many hosting providers will offer domain registration services along with their packages. If you are looking at web hosting in Canada, GreenGeeks and Bluehost are two examples of providers that offer this type of service. 

Determine Product Logistics

At this point, you likely have a good idea of the products or services that you want to sell. The next step is determining the logistics of your business model. If you are offering a service, such as freelance writing, bookkeeping, or online coaching, you will not have to store a physical product. This will be easier for you, as you can simply arrange the details with your client through phone or email. Then you will deliver the requested service and obtain payment. 

If you are selling a physical product, it will be a little more complicated. Selling something that you have created, such as a painting or knitted clothing, can occur from your home (or business). All you have to do is obtain the customer's information and then arrange for the item to get shipped to them. 

Dropshipping is a different type of method entirely. With drop shipping, you would not be keeping the product in stock yourself. Instead, upon receiving the order, you would arrange to purchase the item from a third-party and have it shipped to the customer. You would be taking a cut of the profit and handling the day-to-day- operational concerns. The customer would come to you if they have a concern, and you would then speak to the third-party about it.    

Work with a Web Designer

Even if you have some knowledge relating to web design, it can't hurt to get some advice from a professional in the field. The website is your big opportunity to get users hooked on your brand. You will want to give them a good impression of your mission statement and the products and services that you have to offer. 

Having a web designer will also help improve your SEO ratings. They will be able to optimize your keywords, code, and design to bring you to the top of Google searches. This will help users find you when they are searching for a particular word or phrase online. 

Investigate Payment Methods

As an eCommerce website owner, you will need to get prepared to accept several payment methods. Typically, this will include all major credit cards, PayPal, and Apple Pay. If you are using WordPress as your content management system, you will have the ability to use the plugin called WooCommerce. 

Virtual Security

Since you will be collecting confidential data from your customers, including their addresses and credit card numbers, you will need to have a secure security process in place. If that data were to fall into the wrong hands due to hackers, the customers would lose complete faith in you and your business. 

One way to ensure protection is by installing an SSL (secure sockets layer) certificate. This certificate is what adds the 's' to the HTTPS:// part of a website's URL. This is telling the customer that you have invested the time and resources to secure your site against hackers. The SSL certificate will establish an encrypted link to ensure the privacy of the data getting transmitted between the server and browser. 

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