Is it possible to create a successful e-commerce business? Yeah, of course it is! But there’s just one thing: you shouldn’t just pick only one website or platform if you truly want to make sure that this is a success. Sure, maybe at one point in time, a full-fledged business or even solopreneurs could easily make a killing selling solely on one website, but nowadays, it’s not all that realistic anymore. 

Yes, you read that right. Actually, you’re better off dipping your toes into multiple platforms. So, with all of that said, here’s exactly why you should look into multiple platforms for your business!

Reach More Customers, Capture More Sales

So here’s the perfect scenario you should picture for your business. Just picture this: different platforms attract different crowds. While Amazon might be the king of the jungle with its vast customer base (yes, all across the globe), Etsy is the go-to for unique, handcrafted goods, and eBay often draws in bargain hunters. 

But of course, you have your website, too, and there are so many other platforms out there you can look into as well! So, just by listing on multiple platforms, you’re not just setting up shop; you’re throwing a wider net to capture a diverse group of fish (a.k.a. customers). This strategy maximises your visibility and increases the chances of your products being seen (and snapped up!).

It’s About Reducing Your Risks

Now, putting all your eggs in one basket (or all your products on one platform) can be a risky affair. So many businesses keep making this mistake, and it’s seriously a mistake that you don’t want to make! What if there are technical issues, policy changes, or unexpected disruptions? What if you get banned? Seriosuly, getting banned is more common than you might think.

So, that’s exactly why diversifying your selling platforms acts as a safety net. It ensures that if one platform goes through a rough patch, your business isn’t left in the lurch. It’s about building a resilient business that can weather various storms.

Leverage Unique Platform Benefits

Each platform comes with its own set of tools and benefits. For example, Amazon Fulfilment Services can take a huge load off your shoulders by handling the storage, packing, and shipping of your products. There are different companies that do that, too (but hardly any other e-commerce platforms offer this). This service is a boon, especially during peak seasons when orders are flying off the virtual shelves. 

But it’s not only Amazon that’s overloaded with wonderful benefits, either. You’ll actually find that other platforms like Shopify offer incredible customisation for your own branded website, and eBay’s auction format can help you discover the true market value of your items.

Test and Tailor Your Strategy

Needless to say, selling across multiple platforms also gives you a unique opportunity to test what works best for different products. You might find that handmade crafts perform better on Etsy while your vintage collection gains more traction on eBay. This kind of insight is gold dust—it helps you tailor your strategies to maximise sales and customer satisfaction across the board.

In the world of online shopping, the unboxing experience holds a special place. It’s the moment when anticipation meets reality and the first physical interaction with your brand takes place. if you go onto YouTube or even TikTok, you’ll still see that people absolutely adore this unboxing experience, and this is meant to be just as good- if not better than the actual product itself. 

So, if you’re looking into cutting costs within your business, you’d be a fool to choose this as so many people absolutely adore being able to experience opening up their treasure. Overall, crafting an exceptional unboxing experience is more than just packaging—it’s an opportunity to create lasting impressions, foster loyalty, and turn customers into advocates.

Plus, it means some pretty great UGC too. But how can you make sure you can make this delightful as possible? Well, here’s what you need to know!

It All Starts with Thoughtful Packaging

So, you have to keep in mind that the journey begins with packaging. This means that you’re going to want to opt for high-quality materials that not only protect your products but also evoke a sense of luxury and care. But you should still go a step further and even consider eco-friendly options to align with sustainability values. Personalise packaging with your brand’s colours, logo, and perhaps a charming message or quote to greet your customers as they unwrap their parcel.

Think About the Element of Surprise

Surprise and delight are key ingredients of a memorable unboxing experience- you need to remember this! They’re basically the foundation of all of this, too! So, with that said, you might want to consider adding small, unexpected touches— like having a compliment slip with a handwritten thank-you note on it, or you could even give a sample of a new product or a discount code for their next purchase. 

But usually, people love samples, so you just can’t go wrong if you pick this option. But generally speaking, these thoughtful gestures show your customers that you value their support and go the extra mile to make them feel special. You can’t skip on this, as it’s pretty much an expectation at this point. 

Consider Engaging in the Senses

This is by far something that you’re going to want to do, so with that said, just go ahead and engage your customers’ senses with interactive elements that make unboxing an experience to remember. This should include tissue paper in your brand’s signature colours, add scented sachets for a delightful aroma, or incorporate tactile textures like ribbons or embossed seals. Does this seem excessive? Absolutely not! These sensory details elevate the unboxing process from mundane to magical.

It’s All About UGC

One of the biggest reasons why businesses do this is not only due to the sheer experience itself, but for the fact that this is an experience that’s worth being shared and posted online- this is where UGC comes in. So, you’ll want to encourage your customers to share their unboxing experiences on social media by creating shareable moments. Include branded hashtags or prompts inviting them to snap photos or videos of their unboxing and share them online. 

This not only does this amplify your brand’s reach, but it also builds a sense of community among your customers.

Whether you run an online store or a brick-and-mortar business, you must be able to determine exactly why your business isn’t making money. This allows you to put practical solutions in place that will improve your bottom line and save you from closure! 

For example, the issue may not actually relate back to your sales figures but rather how you spend your money.   

With that in mind, here are some effective ways to cut back on business expenses in 2024!

Keep equipment in good order

Damaged or faulty equipment can be a significant drain on your finances. For example, it means that the equipment will not function as intended, meaning it will take longer to complete specific tasks. This means that you’ll get less work done over the course of the day. As such, while repairs can be costly, they are a necessary expense when it comes to improving your bottom line.

For example, if you use a heat exchanger, poor maintenance could mean that the surface of the exchanger becomes contaminated, lowering its efficiency (and increasing your energy bills). In this instance, you should reach out to a 

Heat Exchange Service Company as soon as possible. 

Consider outsourcing

Between salaries, benefits, and workspace rental, the costs of hiring a full-time employee can be astronomical. However, it’s often not sustainable to run a business entirely independently, especially if there’s a growing demand among consumers for your services/products. Thankfully, this can easily be remedied by outsourcing instead of hiring. This way, you pay for the support you need when you need it.

Make the most of free technology

While some forms of business tech and software are worth the price tag, it’s equally vital that you make the most of free resources too! After all, this can help you to reduce your overheads quite significantly, while still working to the best of your ability. For example, if you struggle with spelling and grammar, or writing in a particular tone, you could make use of Grammarly’s free chrome extension. Alternatively, you could use free cybersecurity software to improve your security protocols.

Negotiate contracts

If you’re looking to cut down on your spending in 2024, now is also the perfect time to review your contracts with vendors and suppliers, identifying areas in which you may be overspending. Don’t be afraid to negotiate a better price, or to step away and begin working with another supplier if necessary! 

One of the easiest ways to ensure you’re getting the best possible deals from suppliers is to develop a strong working relationship with them. This way, they will want to retain your custom moving forward, meaning they’ll be open to negotiations from your end. 

Track your spending

Carefully monitoring and tracking your  spending is also crucial when it comes to saving money, as there are certain areas in which you may be spending a great deal of money without even realising that you are doing so. For example, you may have signed up to a subscription-based service many months ago that you no longer use, but are continuing to pay for anyway!

In any business, keeping costs low is always a major consideration to be aware of. If you want to cut your business costs as much as you can, there are a lot of approaches that you might be able to take in order to do so. Of course, it’s not always immediately obvious which kinds of costs to go for first or exactly how to approach them. In this post, we are going to take you through a few of the clever ways you can cut your business costs in the long term. Let’s take a look.

Bundle Services

One of the reasons that so many businesses offer their customers bundled services these days is because it actually costs the business itself a lot less money. Think about it: you can spread the cost of offering those services considerably if you are bundling them together, so that is something that you will definitely want to think about here. It’s a simple thing, and it doesn’t work for every business’ services, but it’s worth considering at the very least. It might be surprising how much you can save this way, and in a way that also tends to keep the customer happy.

Insulate Your Buildings

Whatever buildings you might have, you will know that these are some of the biggest expenditure areas for your business. Anything you can do to reduce the running costs of those businesses is going to be really helpful in managing your costs generally. And one thing you can do to that end is to insulate your buildings. With good insulation, you will be spending less on energy bills, and that can help a lot. You can insulate through traditional foam insulation, or with steel roofing tiles, or a whole host of other means. It’s something to look into for sure.

Negotiate With Suppliers

Your suppliers can often feel like an enemy, but you should ideally be trying to make them more like your friends. If you want to save money on the main supplies that your business makes use of daily, then you can often do that simply by negotiating with your suppliers from time to time. You may be surprised to discover just how keen and ready they are to negotiate with you, and you might find that you end up with a much better deal and contract. That’s a great position to be in.

Consider Remote Working

A lot of businesses are trying out remote working now, and with good reason. As well as tending to lead to improvements in employee satisfaction, it’s also the case that remote working allows businesses to save money on certain overheads – such as office costs like lighting and heating, for instance. So it’s something to consider, although you should bear in mind that it is not always advisable or even possible to do it. It all depends on the business itself. Nonetheless, try it out and see if it helps you.

The chances are pretty high that you’re more than aware that operating a business comes with a multitude of responsibilities, and legal compliance is a cornerstone of sustainable and ethical business practices. Yes, even if you’re running an online store, you can expect that there’s a whole list of things that you need to follow and comply with. 

But in general, ensuring that your business adheres to regulations is not only a legal obligation but also a crucial step towards building a trustworthy and resilient enterprise. It’s scary to think, but your business could get destroyed for not doing this. So, with that said, here’s exactly what you need to know to guarantee that your business is legally compliant.

What are the Industry Regulations?

You need to keep in mind that every industry has its own set of regulations and compliance requirements. It’s a mix of both the industry and the location you’re in. So, it’s going to help massively just to conduct thorough research to understand the specific legal framework that governs your business. What this means is that you’ll have to stay updated on any changes or additions to industry-specific regulations to ensure ongoing compliance.

Do You Have the Right Licenses and Permits?

One thing that can absolutely demolish a business, online or offline, would be not having the help of licensing solicitors. Actually, oftentimes, online business owners have no idea that, yes, even their business will need the right licenses and permits. So, you need to make sure that you get all the necessary licenses and permits required for your business to operate legally. 

This may include local business licenses, health permits, zoning permits, and industry-specific licenses. You need to regularly check for renewals and updates to maintain compliance; again, a lawyer can help with that. 

Think About Data Protection and Privacy

 As businesses increasingly rely on technology, data protection and privacy compliance become paramount. Your online business NEEDS to be compliant with this, and sometimes that means being compliant with data laws for other countries, too (whatever countries you’re serving). So, you essentially have no choice but to familiarise yourself with data protection laws, such as GDPR or CCPA, and implement measures to safeguard customer information. 

You need to craft and communicate a clear privacy policy to your customers. Also, don’t think it’s as simple as downloading a plugin for your Shopify or WordPress website because it’s not as simple as that either. 

Don’t Forget About the Enviroment

Nearly all businesses, online or offline contribute to the enviroment in some form or another. So, if your business operations impact the environment (which in some way they most likely will), then you need to be aware of and comply with environmental regulations.

Each country and region vary on this, but just about all businesses nowadays are expected to be open about this, and it includes waste disposal, emissions, and other practices that may have ecological implications. So, you just need to be sure to implement eco-friendly practices to demonstrate your commitment to sustainability.

Are you ready to navigate the thrilling world of brokering deals, connecting dots, and making everyone happy, all while being a stay-at-home mom with your kids? Well, great! Because you’re about to embark on an adventure where your skills in diplomacy, negotiation, and a dash of charm are your best allies. 

#1. Cultivate A Network That Keeps On Growing

First things first, your network is your net worth in this game. Imagine you’re a spider; you want your web to be vast and intricate, catching opportunities as they buzz by. Build a network that spans industries and interests. Attend events, join forums, and maybe even slide into a few DMs. The goal is to know a guy who knows a girl who knows another guy. Before you know it, you’re the go-to person for connections!

#2. Learn The Art Of Listening – Like, Really Listening

Listening isn’t just waiting for your turn to speak. It’s about understanding the unspoken needs and desires of your clients. Pay attention to details. When someone says they need a quick solution, hear the urgency in their voice. When you have a customer requesting different types of PU tube, don’t just nod; recognise the specific requirements they have. And if they come to you with a quality problem, see it as an opportunity, not a setback. Here’s your chance to showcase your problem-solving skills and solidify your reputation as a reliable middleman. This level of attention can turn a simple transaction into a lasting business relationship.

#3. Negotiation: Where Charm And Strategy Tango

Negotiation is a delicate dance. It’s about finding that sweet spot where both parties feel like they’ve won. Remember, you’re not just a messenger; you’re the person making the magic happen for both the seller and the buyer. Brush up on your negotiation tactics, but always keep your charm at the ready (a little flirtatiousness here and there never hurt). A well-placed joke can sometimes do more than ten minutes of haggling, so know when to pull out what technique to help close the deal.

#4. Transparency: Your Invisible Cloak Of Trust

In the world of middlemen, trust is currency. Be transparent with your customers so they always know where they stand with you and never lie to them. Let your clients see the effort you’re putting in for them. If there are challenges, don’t mask them with half-truths. Lay it out, and then present a solution. This builds confidence and trust, which, in this line of work, are as vital as air. If your clients don’t trust you, you won’t be in business very long. 

#5. Adaptability: Be The Chameleon Of The Business World

The only constant in business is change. Embrace it like a long-lost friend. Markets shift, demands evolve, and what worked yesterday might be old news today. Stay ahead of the curve by being as adaptable as a chameleon in a rainbow store. Keep an eye on trends, and be ready to pivot faster than a politician in a debate. This agility will not only keep you relevant but also make you indispensable.

By cultivating a robust network, honing your listening skills, mastering the art of negotiation, maintaining transparency, and adapting swiftly to change, you set yourself up for a symphony of success. Remember, in the world of middlemen, you’re not just part of the transaction; you’re the magic that makes the transaction happen.

Outsourcing: a good choice for a small business like yours? This is a question you’ve probably asked yourself a lot. After all, you’ve got limited time and funds to make use of – is outsourcing the best answer to make these last as long as possible? That’s the idea we’re going to examine with the points below.

It Prevents You From Overstaffing

Overstaffing isn’t a common issue in the small business world, but it can become one if you’re experiencing sudden, short term demand. It’s why a lot of companies hire seasonal staff during the busier times of year, but not all business models can thrive off of this structure. 

That’s something outsourcing can address. If you need more manpower on a short term basis, you can outsource this need, meaning you’ll never have contracted employees on the payroll when you can’t afford them. 

It Can Provide Access to Equipment You Can’t Afford

This point is best demonstrated by an example. Say you run a small time contracting business, it’s going to be very expensive to invest in new equipment; maintenance vehicles that can transport heavy goods and potentially toxic waste don’t come cheap! A similar principle applies to the office as well. 

That’s where services like excavator hire from plant & crane hire come in. You can outsource on a short term basis whenever you need to complete a job featuring such equipment. This saves on long term costs and prevents you from ever holding more inventory than your premises can handle. 

It Brings Experience Your Way

Hiring from the current job market can make it hard to find real talent. After all, most of the people who know what they’re doing have either already been snapped up or run businesses of their own. Outsourcing can help with the latter situation. Outsource to these companies and get experience on your doorstep whenever you need it. This way you don’t need to waste time and resources on the hiring process, which can take months. 

It Can Free Up Your Time

If you think you can do it all yourself, there’s going to come a day where you’re proved wrong. You’re going to have just too much on your plate to handle, and you’re going to have to miss a deadline or cancel a project completely because you’ve taken on too much. And if you can’t afford employees to delegate out to, this could sever your relationship with a client completely.

This is where outsourcing tends to really shine. You can call for help whenever you need it, at short term notice, and with a limited brief. As a result, you get experience and talent on your side, and free up time in your own schedule to make better use of on the projects that are losing focus. 

Outsourcing is a great choice for small businesses like yours. Take your time finding new staff, but never be afraid to outsource when you need more manpower within your business suite.