How to open a virtual store in 2022

Despite their dreams of undertaking an enterprise, many people are able to do so because of e-commerce. Setting up a virtual store is, however, not that straightforward.

In order to plan an e-commerce, a variety of issues need to be addressed. These include the virtual environment, business management, logistics, finance, marketing, etc. To help you get started, we’ve put together an online store opening guide.

First, the most important

• A person without technical knowledge can build an e-commerce website using one of the platforms specialized in hosting and managing virtual stores.
• Platforms for e-commerce allow you to manage customer orders, control inventory, measure sales, and integrate the necessary applications.
• Creating a virtual store requires hiring experts in several fields, including management, customer service, sales, finance, logistics, data analysis, design, marketing, and information technology.

Walkthrough: How to open a virtual store

You will find a lot of information about “how to open a virtual store” on Google, which may lead to more questions than answers. After giving it some thought, we prepared a step-by-step guide on how to open a virtual store.

Is this the best time to open an online store?

It is a very promising scenario for those looking to start a virtual store. 61.8 million online purchases were made by consumers in 2019 according to the 41st edition of the Webshoppers survey ( 1 ) conducted by Ebit.

Additionally, 148 million purchases were made, with an average ticket of R $ 417, generating a total profit of R $ 61.9 billion.

What are the advantages of opening a virtual store?

The country is experiencing progressive growth in electronic commerce, despite the current financial crisis. Find out below what virtual stores can offer:

• 24 hours a day, 7 days a week : In e-commerce, products and services are available at any time for those who wish to purchase them.
•  If you have a virtual store, you can sell your products to anyone, anywhere, just by sending the goods via the Post Office or carrier.
• Competition is fierce : Today, almost everything can be done through the internet. Your business will become more competitive if you open a virtual store.

In the table below, you can learn more about some advantages of opening a virtual store:

What should I do before opening an online store?

Establish what products or services will be sold and to whom before creating an online store. This will influence the marketing strategy and service model.

In addition to selecting reputable suppliers, you should also look for ones that offer quality materials, flexible delivery times, and viable payment terms.

Our recommendation for those just starting out is to sell only one type of product. Those in the fashion segment, for example, must decide whether to sell children’s clothing, women’s clothing, or men’s clothing.

It’s important to analyze your direct competitors, i.e., companies in the same segment and having the same target audience, because competition on the Internet is literally a matter of clicking away.

What can I sell in an online store?

An online store allows you to sell anything. When choosing the right product, consider the following:

• How do people solve their daily problems?
• Do you have any favorite products?
• Do you have any favorite companies?
• Do you have any favorite groups?

You will easily find a relevant target audience, business model, and product or service when answering these questions. Use tools that reveal market trends, such as Google Trends, if you are still unsure

What should I do before opening an online store?

Create an online store before deciding what products or services you will offer and who you will sell them to. It is important to segment the target audience because it will affect the service model and marketing strategies.

In addition to selecting reputable suppliers, you should also look for ones that offer quality materials, flexible delivery times, and viable payment terms.

Our recommendation for those just starting out is to sell only one type of product. Those in the fashion segment, for example, must decide whether to sell children’s clothing, women’s clothing, or men’s clothing.

Competitors are literally a click away on the internet, so it is imperative to analyze your direct competitors, i.e., companies in the same sector and with the same target audience.

What can I sell in an online store?

An online store can sell any product or service. Consider the following factors when selecting the right product:

• Is it possible to solve the problems people face on a daily basis?
• I ask myself, “What are my favorite products?”
• I ask myself, “What companies inspire me?”
• To which groups do I naturally relate?

You will easily find a relevant target audience, business model, and product or service when answering these questions. Use tools that reveal market trends, such as Google Trends, if you are still unsure

When opening a virtual store do I need a CNPJ?

Registering for the National Register of Legal Entities (CNPJ) is not mandatory when opening a virtual store, but you can do it through the website of the Federal Revenue Department.

CNPJs can also be obtained by registering as Individual Micro Entrepreneurs (MEIs). For this registration, you must have a maximum revenue of R $ 60 thousand per year and no partner (s).

An accountant can answer your questions.

The Simple National tax regime applies to online stores with sales of more than R $ 60 thousand and less than R $ 3.6 million. If you
want more information, consult an accountant.

CNPJ registration offers legal reliability and assures legal support from organs’ competent bodies. Here is the price for registering your company’s CNPJ:

What taxes will be charged for sales of the online store?

Registering the company under the proper taxation regime is essential, as different taxes will be collected and the amount will vary depending on the size of the company, the sales style – direct or resale – and the products offered.

A Goods Circulation Tax (ICMS) will be charged if you choose to sell goods. Services are taxed under the Service Tax (ISS).

The shopkeeper is required to issue the electronic invoice in every virtual commercial transaction. In the beginning, invoices can be generated from the IRS website. As sales volumes increase, it becomes necessary to adhere to an invoice issuing system.

What better platform to open a virtual store?

A rented or exclusive Open Source platform can be used to create your online store. This is how they compare:

• Free code is used on open source platforms. A programmer or specialized company can download, install, and configure this data.
• Online store hosting platforms  offer low maintenance and investment costs, which is ideal for those on a budget.
• Exclusive store development  is a costly process, since the platform must be created and managed by professionals.

It is also possible to sell your products through a Marketplace, which is a platform mediated by a company, on which several retailers sign up and sell their products. Marketplaces charge a fee per product sold, and this percentage varies according to the chosen virtual store.

Among the best options are Amazon, Mercado Livre, Ponto Frio, Magazine Luiza, Casas Bahia, and Polishop. Due to their credibility in the market, it will be easier to make sales through these retailers.

How to open a virtual store on a hosting platform?

In order to open an online store, you must choose a hosting platform for e-commerce. If you follow these tips, you won’t need any technical knowledge:

• Personalize your online store : Just pick the best layout, colors, and fonts, add your logo, and fill in the vital information.
• Add your products : Include attractive images and videos of the products, as well as detailed descriptions of materials, measurements, and other pertinent information.
• Start promoting your online store : You can create ads and campaigns on Google and social media networks such as Facebook and Instagram.

How to register the domain of the virtual store?

E-commerce sites have domains or URLs that act as their virtual address. A virtual store’s record identifies and differentiates it from all other virtual stores, whether they are local or global. Use these tips when choosing a domain:

• Use your company name next to a keyword that indicates the industry . In search engines, the keyword will help position the online store.
• Avoid using foreign-language terms or symbols – short, easy-to-remember names are preferred. It should be easy for the consumer to search.
• Prefer domains ending with “.com.br” or “.com” , because search engines recognize the region of a website and prioritize results from there.

What information should appear in an online store?

You must offer quality products, provide good service and clearly position information when you open a virtual store. In this way, you are able to encourage customers to buy more.

CNPJs, company names, and physical addresses are among the most crucial details. You should also include a phone number and an email address. These should be included in e-commerce pages.

The purchase process needs to be simplified and accelerated. Ask only for the information that is necessary rather than a password. When a customer leaves the page without completing the purchase, enable cart recovery.

When you prepare a description of your products, we suggest that you give details regarding measurements, materials, handling, cleaning, and maintenance guidelines, among others.

It’s important that you inform your customers in the simplest manner possible about the payment methods accepted.
There should also be evidence of additional expenses of the purchase, including freight costs, the need for protected shipping, and other fees.

Include a shopping cart icon with a summary of what the customer is buying – with the option to add or delete selected items – as well as a freight estimate and delivery forecast.

Adding order tracking is also a good idea. As a result, the virtual store administrator no longer needs to track the order and customer satisfaction and security are increased.

Please prepare a simple text based on the Consumer Protection Code for the exchange and return of goods.

When the storekeeper cancels an order or returns merchandise, the financial institution responsible for the transaction must be notified in order to cancel the sale and provide the refund for the amount charged.

The following are the main points of the new e-commerce law (Decree 7,962 of March 15, 2013); you can read more about this law here. ( 3 )

How to serve the customers of your virtual store?

We should emphasize that customer service is one of the great differences between virtual stores and brick-and-mortar stores, especially for small and medium-sized companies. Introduce yourself to your customers and treat them as individuals.

After a sale, customer support must continue. You can start by calling or chatting. Your online store must grow as you hire employees or use automated systems.

How to promote the virtual store?

There are two types of marketing actions you can use to promote your online store. In addition to Google Adwords, Facebook Ads, and price comparison sites, quick payback actions also include using Google Adwords and Facebook Ads.

Electronic products such as smartphones, laptops, and TV sets can be priced using price comparison sites. The most popular are Buscapé, Zoom, Bondfaro, and Google Shopping.

Google Adwords is the most popular tool for creating e-commerce ads. In order to use this tool, people need to be searching for keywords related to your products. Ads of this type are charged per click, so make sure your keywords are precise.

Search engine optimization, social media, and e-mail marketing techniques are slower return actions. Since they require some audience to receive the desired return, they are called like that.

How to deliver the products sold in the virtual store?

E-commerce logistics are also a key component to the success of a virtual store. The best alternative to deliver your goods should be carefully planned and chosen:

Post Office shipping is the simplest option, but there are some limitations, such as the dimensions and weight of the packaging.

Package dimensions must be between 16cm and 105cm in length, 11cm to 105cm in width, and 2cm to 105cm in height. The total package dimensions must not exceed 200cm.

A package must weigh at least 300 grams and at most 30 kilograms to qualify for PAC and SEDEX. Registered letters must weigh no more than 500 grams.

Carriers are another option for delivering your products. There is less risk of strike disruption. Moreover, there are no restrictions on the size or weight of the packages.

How do I guarantee the security of my online store?

Like physical stores, e-commerce is subject to a number of risks, including breaches of customer data and financial fraud involving data from debit or credit cards.

Investing in security protocols, certificates, and firewalls against malware is necessary to ensure the safety of you and your customers. Find a platform that provides you and your customers with full support.

Secure payment systems are another important feature. Therefore, consumers must make the purchase with peace of mind and confidence, so they should opt for a secure receipt system, which offers the consumer and the shopkeeper support.

What to consider when opening a virtual store?

Now that you have all the information required to open a virtual store, you must consider the following factors when choosing a digital platform to build or host your store:

• e-commerce platform
• traffic limit and storage capacity
• options
• Security concerns
• Automated processes
• for inventory management

This section will detail each of the topics. Leave a comment below if you have questions or suggestions:

Online store platform

The most cost-effective option for setting up a virtual store is to host it on a website hosting platform. There are a few things you need to consider before choosing an e-commerce platform.

Firstly, the platform should enable customized virtual store templates that are automatically adapted to the screens of mobile devices, such as smartphones, tablets, and notebooks (responsive design).

Your online store should also be easy to navigate. Check that the pages load quickly, that the menus are easily accessible, and that you can categorize products and services.

Your online store’s design is its visual aspect. Brand identity is key to the success of a business, so it should be developed with great care. Your store will look like many others if you choose ready-made models without customization, losing its unique identity and sometimes reducing conversions.

Thus, the ideal platform is one that allows for customization and customization. Look for fonts that are simple and sans serif. Colors should be harmonious – do not use intense, phosphorescent, or bright colors.

Payments must be accepted with bank transfer, debit card, and credit card, and major credit card brands like Visa, Mastercard, Elo, and American Express, among others.

For the convenience of its customers, the hosting platform should also provide integration with Mercado Pago (Mercado Livre), Pagseguro (UOL) and PayPal – the more forms of payment, the more sales.

Integrating services is another important feature. Consumers, for instance, can calculate freight cost and delivery time automatically when your online store integrates with the Post Office.

Limits on storage and traffic

There are two environments in an e-commerce platform. With the Front End, the virtual store appears as it is viewed by the public, that is, the store window, with its various departments and products.

The Back End of a platform is where the system’s administration takes place

You can organize inventory, process orders, verify payments, track deliveries, and more within this environment.

In these environments, you use more server space as you enter information about the online store. Analyze your e-commerce’s expansion capacity and the upgrade’s associated costs.

Make sure you know whether there is a traffic limit on the hosting server, what that limit is, and if it can be expanded. The online store will go offline when it reaches its traffic limit. During times of high trade activity, such as Black Friday, this could be very damaging.

Support

You must ensure that the hosting server of your virtual store offers technical support in case of a problem. Choose a server that is available 24 hours a day and offers you multiple ways to contact it.

Concern about data security

An SSL security certificate is essential for protecting your customer’s personal data throughout the process of accessing the website and making a purchase through your online store hosting platform.

Security certificates demonstrate to your customers that you care about the security of their data. When there is fraud, the store owner is liable.

Process automation

You need ERP, a process automation system integrated into your online store, once your online business reaches ten orders per day.

When processing order receipts, payment confirmations, product separations, electronic invoice issuance, and order submissions and delivery tracking, ERP software aims to streamline processes, reduce errors and save time.

Inventory and goods control

A virtual store’s inventory management is crucial to the functioning of an online store, because nobody wants to suffer losses due to damaged or missing products. To manage inventory, follow these steps:

• Record the quantity, unit cost and total cost of goods on the stock sheet . The stock sheet can be filled out manually or virtually.
• Periodically, check if the information provided in the inventory sheet is compatible with the company’s inventory. All goods inflows and outflows must be added to the form, as well as the identification of the employee responsible for the movement.

Information about inventory helps maintain a strict and organized control over available goods. Information such as this can be useful for future purchases of merchandise and ensuring that products are being sold and not diverted.

Automated inventory control is available on some platforms.

Automated inventory control, or automatic stock depletion, is offered by some platforms. However, you must first perform an inventory count manually before you can take advantage of technology.

Outsourcing inventory control is another option. Your company will depend on this supplier to make shipments, but this option reduces storage space costs.

 

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