The pandemic has been a paradigm shift. Business owners have had to endure major setbacks. Most offline businesses had to incur losses or change their strategy and port to an online setup. Businesses that were already online had to up their game and prepare for more competition. However, the businesses who were about to go online had the overwhelming experience of figuring out their online strategy and, in some cases, starting all over again.
I remember having a similar experience when I wanted to start a business online. I wasn’t sure how things would work or if there was even an opportunity to start something online. Add the cost of goods and establishing basic inventory, I had my hands full. With constant frustration and hours of spending time online aimlessly going through resources, I was finally able to establish my business. However, I also noticed that many other business owners and beginners were struggling with the same question that I had – What’s the biggest challenge for most businesses when going online?
So, to help understand the task before starting or taking the business online, here are a few important factors to consider. Also, we will look at the path I took that eliminated the turmoil of starting a business online.
What’s the biggest challenge for most businesses when going online?
Starting a business online has its perks. There is untapped potential in terms of reaching out to different audiences. In addition, one could use different methods to leverage online presence and perhaps save inventory, rent and other overhead costs that come with traditional businesses. However, every coin has two sides, so inevitably, setting up an online business comes with its share of challenges. Listed below are some of the biggest challenges for most businesses when going online –
1) Setting up shop
Starting a business online or taking a current business online is an entirely new chapter in the book for most entrepreneurs. That’s right, you’ve got to set up shop, again. Just like a regular traditional business, the first step is to understand if there is a demand for the goods and services offered by your company. If the research suggests positive results, the next step is to determine where is the audience? (This is assuming that you already know who your audience is)
Do they use Social media? Which social media platform do they visit the most? What are their behaviours online? How could you use the information to create an online campaign and spread awareness?
Now, we’ll come back to establishing social media presence in a bit, let’s first address the most important step. One that perhaps causes the most discomfort to traditional business owners is setting up a website.
Now, setting up a website is as stressful and arduous a task as setting up a traditional shop. You’ve got to start by buying a domain name, paying hosting charges and developing a site. Or hand it over to a third party who would probably charge you a substantial amount just to provide a basic setup.
Therefore, this initial step causes a lot of confusion and stress, and we still haven’t mentioned the time and effort to design the content that would go into establishing and running the website. So, this is a major challenge for most entrepreneurs attempting to go online.
2) Establishing a presence through content production
We briefly touched upon establishing a presence online. Let’s just say that you have somehow managed to cross the first hurdle. You have a website and perhaps even set up a few business accounts on social media platforms. Well, until now, all you have done is entered the game, the real battle starts now.
The first step is to produce content. Now, if you’re not a natural marketer or a content producer, the chances are that this step will take a lot of time and could add to your challenges. Hiring an employee or a third party is again a significant cash outlay. While looking for free or usable content is a pointless task due to low content quality.
Now, even if you manage to get this step right and produce content regularly, creating a goal for the content is a whole new ball game. What is the final result that you want to achieve? How do you optimise it? This again requires you to analyse your content and audience to form a strategy for promotions.
Now, most people run into the term called SEO or SEM, feel overwhelmed and turn right around or look for alternatives. Or, in some cases, completely give up on the idea of going online. Therefore, content production and management are quite the challenge when starting a business online. Another aspect to keep in mind is the goal and optimisation process for increasing awareness and reach.
3) Leveraging social media to create a following
Social media is a great tool to establish a presence and sell your goods and services. However, the major task lies in finding the right marketing mix. Just like a traditional business, the entrepreneur needs to spend time understanding the placement of the product on social media. Moreover, create a persona suitable for their target audience. Another important step follows this, and that’s to create a relationship with their audience (we’ll get to this in a moment).
So, while initially starting a social media page, the most nerve-wracking task is to find your tribe or, in general terms, followers for your page. In order to do that, you need to spread awareness, and for that, there needs to be some kind of promotion. Or you’ll have to produce a piece of viral content, which isn’t an easy task.
In the end, the role of social media is to help you create a channel where your customers trust and resonate with your brand and its value. Further, it must encourage them to buy and promote your goods and services. If you get this step right, then it can easily help in growing your business.
4) Syncing online and offline operations
While selling products and services, it is crucial to ensure that your products are available to customers online. This means setting up a delivery channel and collaborating with a delivery partner. Furthermore, understanding the lead time and the potential of extraneous factors hindering the delivery.
Often, if an order is not fulfilled on time, the chances are that your customers will be unhappy, which might cause them to dislike the brand or the company. Moreover, sometimes they might end up cancelling. So, it is important to establish a clear cancellation policy or product-return policy. During the process, it is important to ensure communication from the company through proper customer support channels. They must reply to online queries and be available if the customer calls. Most brands lose trust due to poor customer support. It is perilous for any business owner to not be there for their customers.
To further add perspective, this would just be one small part of the business. There are many other factors that an entrepreneur needs to consider to ensure a proper link between online and offline business.
5) Creating a network
Most often, business owners experience challenges or feel overwhelmed because they feel like they are alone in the boat. However, the truth is that many individuals and businesses experience the same struggles of taking a business online. All that varies is the approach they take. One of the best ways to understand the industry and connect with like-minded people is to create a network.
Networking is the key to uncovering new ideas, gaining perspective and, more importantly, creating a presence for your brand. It puts you on the lane to make your brand more visible while also attracting certain sources who might help you optimise your business.
However, creating a network online involves putting in substantial effort. This could mean joining social media groups, attending webinars, sending out emails and in general doing a lot of outreach. And sometimes, it might lead to rejections. Not everyone would agree with your approach or would want to associate with you.
But the idea is not to feel dejected but to move forward and, if possible, learn something from the experience. It’s safe to say that I’ve had my share of experiences with customers and prospects. On the whole, it has been a rewarding experience that has allowed me to connect with people with different perspectives and sometimes even learn from them.
So, these are some of the most common challenges businesses face while going online. However, there was a particular path that wiped out most of these challenges. I did not have to worry about inventory, customer relationship, product quality or handling of the products. All of these were taken care for me!
QNET’s professional marketing opportunity enabled me to start my own business online. Here’s a little more information about the amazing path that QNET provides!
QNET Direct Selling Opportunity
QNET is one of the biggest direct selling companies in the world. It has a well-established e-commerce platform that provides high-quality products and services while providing an opportunity for enterprising individuals to start their business in the direct selling industry.
The company has partnered with some of the biggest brands across the globe to provide world-class products in health and wellness, watches and jewellery, home and living, and beauty and skincare range. The direct selling opportunity empowers individuals to start their journey towards financial independence. It gives them access to these amazing products along with educational sources, marketing material and mentors to guide them.
But one of the best parts of the business is that it takes away all the hassle of going online. That’s right! No more trying to establish an online presence; the company already has a well-established online platform. No more do you need to worry about overhead or operational costs, which includes setting up delivery partners, packaging partners or manufacturers. What’s more, there is no joining or registration fee. So, a person can start their business online seamlessly with QNET.
Start an online business with QNET India
QNET certainly provides one of the best opportunities for individuals to fulfil their dreams and become successful entrepreneurs. It takes away all the trouble and turmoil that an individual experiences while trying to establish a business. However, it doesn’t come without a certain bargain. Perhaps the most important thing that the business requires is time and commitment in making it a successful venture.
Without putting in the necessary hours, there is no way that anyone can succeed. On the other side, if one is willing to invest time and dedicate themselves to the process, they will soon reap the rewards for their efforts. But it all starts with taking that all-important step towards their goal. Now, this could be as small as registering yourself for the opportunity. It is certainly a big step but one that can help you become successful and achieve your dreams!
If you’d like to read about big ideas and gain perspective on being your own boss, check out – https://qnet-india.in/leadership-lessons-for-qnet-entrepreneurs/
