Below, you will find a step-by-step guide to starting your very own eCommerce business using Fiverr services. I have also included several helpful resources to make the process just a little bit easier.
So let’s get to the good stuff.
Starting an eCommerce Business
ECommerce is a very broad subject matter, and it can be difficult to know where to begin. So, here is a step-by-step breakdown you can follow to get things going.
Identify your business model and map out a business plan
Find your products
Register your business
Obtain any necessary licenses
Create your website
Develop a marketing strategy
Measure your success
Identify Your Business Model and Map Out a Business Plan
First things first: Decide on a business model for your online store.
Will you be making the products yourself? Will you be using dropshipping services? Will you be purchasing products in bulk? These are just a few of the questions that need to be addressed early on.
Another thing to consider is who you will be selling your products to. Here are 4 classifications that your eCommerce business could fall under:
Business-to-Business (B2B)
Business-to-Consumer (B2C)
Consumer-to-Business (C2B)
Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C)
Business-to-Business (B2B)
Your business would be classified as B2B if you are selling products to other businesses. For example, perhaps you are selling office supplies and furniture, packing supplies, or car parts.
Whatever the case may be, if your plan is to market and sell your products to other businesses, you fall under the B2B category.
Example:
DNPE is a B2B company that sells metal tags and data plates to other businesses.
Business-to-Consumer (B2C)
This is one of the most common classifications for online retailers. B2C eCommerce is simply selling products to the average consumer.
This landscape is typically much more competitive, but can still be highly profitable when done correctly.
Example:
Line Up Fragrance is a B2C company that sells luxury fragrances to consumers in the U.S.
Consumer-to-Business (C2B)
A C2B business model is one where consumers are selling their products or skillset to businesses.
You see this concept commonly on freelance platforms where businesses can find freelancers to partner with for a particular project.
Example:
Fiverr is a C2B company where companies can find individuals selling a particular service that their company is in need of.
Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C)
The C2C model is where you would find online stores that involve individuals selling to or trading with one another.
Example:
eBay is an eCommerce corporation that is widely known for its consumer-to-consumer business model. eBay does, however, also operate as a business-to-consumer model as well.
Once you have identified your business model, you can dive into building the business plan.
Now this is probably where you’re ready to tap out. But hold on! I have a way to make this part easier for you.
Outsource this task to a freelancer on Fiverr.
You read it correctly.
You can literally pay someone else to construct a professional business plan for you. Many sellers on Fiverr will write up a clear business plan that includes all of the following for you:
Executive Summary
Company Summary
Products and Services
Complete Market Industry Analysis
Target Market Segmentation
Management Summary
Complete Financial Plan
You will likely also find that many sellers will throw in a few extra bonuses to complement your Business Plan Writing Package.
Find Products
Now it is time to find the products you will be selling! This part requires a bit of research if you want to find a set of products that will be profitable. You will also need to find a reliable supplier at this stage.
The good news?
Fiverr has an entire category for Product Research Services where you can find freelancers to take care of this task for you.
Below you will see an example of what one Fiverr seller is offering as part of his $100 service offering.
Of course, the total cost and services provided will vary from seller to seller, but this is just to give you a general idea of what to expect.
Register Your Business
How you choose to structure your business is totally up to you. You need to consider things such as taxes, protection of your assets, and more when selecting a business structure so make sure you do your research.
Some common business structures are Sole Proprietorship, Partnership (LP and LLP), Limited Liability Company (LLC), and Corporation.
You can learn more about the different business structures and how to register yours here.
Obtain Any Necessary Licenses
Requirements for licenses and permits will vary according to your state, county, or city. I highly recommend checking out sba.gov for more information on licenses and permits.
Create Your Website
You don’t have to dive in spending thousands of dollars on a fancy website for your new online store.
For a very affordable rate, you can outsource all your eCommerce Web Design needs to a top-rated Fiverr seller.
From full website creation to theme/plugin installation, you can find a Freelancer that’ll get the job done right.
Develop a Marketing Strategy
If you thought you were on your own with this one, Fiverr is here yet again to save the day!
As always, do your research and make sure you select a freelancer who has great reviews and can give you what you need.
You may also choose to work with bloggers and influencers to help promote your new business. Services such as Get Bloggedallow you to post opportunities for free on their platform.
Measure Your Success
Last, but certainly not least, always make sure you have a clear way to measure your success.
Make sure you have your Google Analytics setup (if you worked with a web designer, they can help you with this step). Also make sure you have analytics set up for your social accounts so that you can view key metrics and performance indicators.
If you don’t have metrics to follow, how will you know what is working and what is not?
By analyzing your key performance indicators (KPIs), you can adjust your marketing strategy as you see fit.
My final piece of advice is to be patient. Starting your own eCommerce business can quickly become overwhelming if you are not properly prepared. Success may not come overnight, but with consistency and a solid strategy, you can grow your business.
If you have any questions on how to use Fiverr to start your eCommerce business, feel free to drop a comment below. I will answer as many questions as possible.
Briana Marie is a mental health and financial literacy advocate, and founder of Major League Mommy. In her spare time, Briana enjoys yoga, travel, and spending time with her Husband and two daughters.
