How to Build a Retail Store Website
- 1). Build your website with ecommerce in mind. Select a domain name that reflects your business, register it and then start researching website hosts. Make sure the host you select has all the features you'll need for your business like shopping carts, easy payment methods, multiple email addresses and enough bandwidth to support photos.
- 2). Create an attractive main page that explains who you are, what products you offer, the number of years you've been in business and your location. Include a map if you have an open store. List any kudos or recommendations you've gotten from customers. Use good-looking graphics that are relevant to your business.
- 3). Catalog your products with good descriptions and photographs. Make sure prices are easy to find. Use shopping cart technology to make ordering easier for your customers. Anticipate questions your potential customers might have, and answer them.
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Put your contact information on every page of your website. Include telephone numbers and email addresses. Set up your email accounts so one can be used for inquiries, another for orders and a third for customer service so you can keep them separate. - 5). Set up credit card processing, since a vast majority of your customers will want to pay that way. If you can't set up credit card processing, open a PayPal account. Let your customers know that you'll also accept checks and money orders.
- 6). Explain your shipping methods, carriers and return policy clearly. Don't use a business model that allows excess shipping charges to make up for shortfalls in other areas. Shipping charges are one of the things online shoppers complain most about.
- 7). Keep your website current. Remove products as they sell. Change the photographs occasionally to keep things fresh. Check for broken links.
- 8). Use Search Engine Optimization (SEO) to drive traffic to your website. Use the free tools that are available online to learn more about SEO, and test your websites rankings with the search engines frequently. Make adjustments to your website to ensure higher rankings.
