Top Tips for Choosing an Online Store Builder for Your Small Business

Before you leap to build up your small business website, it’s a good idea to understand what your business needs. Online store builders are suited for a wide range of professionals from different niches, such as photography, hotel and restaurants, e-commerce space, writing, wedding, electrical and plumbing. However, the needs of a plumbing website will greatly vary from that of photography. Essentially, the features of an online store builder vary from one industry to another. However, there are other features that every website needs to put on top of their agenda, and that’s what this article wants to address:

1) Any online store builder should be user-friendly

When choosing an online store builder for your website or e-commerce platform, make sure it’s easy to use. Remember, with an online store builder; you are going to create the site yourself. So if you didn’t use the web builder, it would defeat the purpose of choosing it. The awesome part is that most online store builders offer a free trial to enable you to play around with it until you find the perfect feel and look.

2) Ensure your online store builder is integrated with social media

The aim of starting a business online is to generate traffic to it and convert that traffic into sales. Social media is an excellent platform to get traffic without spending a dime or wasting a lot of time. Most of today’s online store builders come already integrated with social media, so you’ll only need to activate the social media plugin. With social media plugin, you’ll only need one-click to share your content on social media.

3) Ensure your online store builder comes with email marketing capabilities

Email is a potent marketing tool for both large and small businesses. It offers a unique way to interact with your target audience on a personal level. So if you intend to use email as one of your marketing strategies, you need to choose an online store builder that allows you to manage your mailbox.

4) An online store builder should come with support systems

Support is critical to the success your web building effort and for your customers. When building your website, you might run across an error, and if you don’t get support, you won’t move any further. Also, when the website is up and running, clients will want to inquire about your products or services. If they don’t get the support, they will abandon your website.

Various Licensing Requirements for Starting a Business Online Everyone Should Know

While it’s much easier to start a business online today, many don’t know the legal requirements to do so. An online business, in many ways, is not different to a physical store because you’ll be required to obtain the same government permits and licenses to operate. So without wasting time, let’s look at the legal requirements for starting a business online:

You’ll have to register your business name before you start selling products online

Whether you want to run an online or offline business, the first step is registering your business name. The law requires that the name you choose should be unique. If it’s not, it won’t be registered. If you’re in the United States, you’ll need to visit the secretary of state website to get more insights into registering a business name.

You need to have an employer identification number to launch your business online

Essentially, this is a federal identification number given out by the Internal Revenue Service that identifies any business out there. Every business needs to pay taxes in the U.S.A., which is why they have to obtain a tax identification number.

You’ll need to register your business online with state labor agencies

If you plan to have employees in your online business, you’ll have to register with the unemployment and state workers’ department. This applies even if you have only one employee.

You’ll need sales permit to run your business online

A sales tax permit is applicable if your state has sale tax system and your online business sells products and services. But if your business doesn’t have a brick-and-motor store, you won’t need to obtain one.

Check out any occupational licenses or permits required by your industry

Some states required that you obtain state-issued licenses if you operate an online business. These licenses only require that you show that you have specific training and skills needed to run the business. Examples of fields that require these kinds of licenses include auctioneering, real estate, law, Medicare and more. While few of these licenses will apply to your business online, it’s recommended that you check with the secretary of state just to be sure.

Check the zoning codes of your business online

You’ll need a home occupant permit if you intend to run your business from home. Determine if you need one by reviewing relevant city and county laws.

Conclusion

Another thing you shouldn’t forget is images and templates. Today, most online store builders come along with both free and paid templates and images to make your website elegant and stylish. But different web builders offer different kinds of images and templates, so it’s worth checking upfront that what is offered resonates with your business. Also, keep in mind that before you start a business in any country or state, make sure you have all the required licenses and that they are up to date. This is essential to avoid problems with the authorities. It will give you a piece of mind knowing that nobody will sue for violation of business laws, such as infringement on business name and trademark.