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By valero
- In Uncategorized
Setting up an online shop is one of the most accessible forms of entrepreneurship today. And the UK, with its advanced digital culture, is an ideal place to launch an e-commerce business. But if you don’t know how to get started, don’t worry. Here’s how to set up your online shop in the UK.
Define what you are going to sell and how
Before choosing the platform where to launch, legalise your activity, choose your brand or design the logo, you need to know what you are going to sell and how you are going to sell it.
It is interesting that you can answer certain questions. For example, are you going to sell physical products, digital products or services? Are you going to have your own stock or will you be dropshipping? Or, finally, are you going to sell only in the UK or also in other countries? This first step will help you make key decisions later on.
Choose the right platform
There are many platforms that will help you start an online shop. Your choice of platform will depend on your technical knowledge, budget and the type of product you sell.
As an example, here are some of the most popular platforms in the UK. Shopify, which is ideal for beginners, is intuitive and starts at £25 per month. Wix eCommerce is also very easy and visual, although it may get a little too small for you in the future.
Squarespace, BigCommerce or WooCommerce are better options in terms of potential, but require you to be more computer literate.
Register your business legally
Any business, whatever its nature, needs to be registered with the UK tax authorities. But you already know that, because we have explained the most common company options in the UK.
The most popular options are the sole trader and the Limited Company (Ltd) which we explained in previous articles. You will also need to register with His Mahesty’s Revenues & Custom (HMRC) in order to file your taxes correctly.
Set up online payment methods
When selling online, you will need a secure and reliable payment gateway for your customers. Popular options in the UK include Stripe, PayPal and Klarna, which make it easy to pay in instalments and convert currencies. Also, remember to secure your website to protect card payments (HTTPS).
Organise the logistics of your online shop in the UK
Surely you would like to sell a lot and to all corners of the world. But ask yourself if you are going to manage the shipments yourself, to which parts of the world and if you are going to need to use a fulfilment centre to display your products. Likewise, you will have to contact different courier companies to manage shipments.
If you sell digital products (ebooks, courses, templates…), you can automate delivery with tools such as Gumroad or SendOwl.
Create a visual brand
Even if your budget is limited, your shop must convey confidence and visual coherence. To do this, it is important to create your brand, simple but powerful.
Find out about the colours that match your product, design the logo (you can use computer tools or ask your friend the drawer to do it) and remember that the best sale comes at first sight: use good photographs.
Launch and promote your shop
As we explained in this article, the use of social media is essential to expand your business. Find out how to showcase your products on Instagram, TikTok or even Pinterest. Manage a good email address and write your page taking into account basic SEO techniques to achieve visibility. You can even talk to not well-known influencers to start showcasing your product.
And finally, don’t forget to ask your first customers for reviews. In the UK, online reputation is key. And that is all for now about how to set up your online shop in the UK.
Conclusions on how to set up your online shop in the UK
Setting up your own online shop in the UK is very affordable. With the right tools and a clear strategy, you can have your e-commerce up and running in just a few weeks. Your shop doesn’t have to be perfect to launch. You just need to get started.