Hi Sheilagraham,
Once you get through actually setting up your business - meaning - registering your business name with your state, determining if you are a Sole Proprietorship or LLC, obtaining your Tax ID, etc., then the fun begins with setting up your business website. Start out simple, setup a few items to see how things work and go from there. Next, you need to get your site noticed because, just having a site does not mean that sales will follow. Below are some tips - see what works for you.
* It's important to note that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to getting your website noticed and increasing sales. If there was, we would all be very happy. You need to experiment with different strategies and track your results to determine what works best for your business.
* Social Media Marketing: Social media can be a powerful tool for promoting your website and increasing sales. Creating engaging content and sharing it on social media platforms can help you reach a wider audience and drive more traffic to your site. Start with the basic social media sites, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flicker, Pinterest, Google Maps, Google Places for Business and Yelp - the more you get your name out there the better and you can setup these accounts at little or no cost - it's just your time. Take your time and take lots of product pictures or detailed info about your services if that applies.
* Advertising in your local paper may promote sales too. Cross selling via other sites like Etsy may increase interest even if you just list a few items. Also, check out activities like local Farmer's Markets or other outdoor events (Craft Shows, Art Shows, etc.) that would fit your needs.
* Content Marketing: Creating high-quality content, such as blog posts, videos, and infographics, can help attract and engage potential customers, leading to increased sales. Both Youtube and Vimeo are great for posting product or service videos at little or no cost. All you need is a camera, some thought and a little time.
* Email Marketing: Building an email list and sending targeted campaigns to subscribers can help you stay top of mind with potential customers, leading to increased sales over time. Don't spam people, make sure your list of addresses is composed of people that want to hear from you.
* Pay-Per-Click (PPC) Advertising: PPC advertising allows you to place ads on search engines and other websites, targeting specific keywords and demographics. This can help you reach your target audience and increase sales. Note: It's a challenge to determine your ROI when spending money on advertising - choose wisely.
* Search Engine Optimization (SEO): Optimizing your website for search engines can help improve your website's visibility in search results, leading to more traffic and potential sales. This can involve on-page optimization (optimizing website content, tags, etc.) and off-page optimization (building backlinks, guest posting, etc.).
* Take advantage of Google Webmaster Tools and Bing Webmaster Tools.
* Finally - word of mouth is your best friend - try to friends and family involved - people trust people they know (in most cases) and this type of advertising is FREE.
All the best !
jk
