How to start your own start-up ecommerce business
- Introduction to start up ecommerce business
- Why do we consider ecommerce
- How to start your own ecommerce business
Introduction to start up ecommerce business
Tammy : Hi again this is Tammy from the Unipro Consulting Limited Hong Kong, I hope everyone is safe from the pandemic the world is currently facing. If you could stay at home, then just stay at home. A good topic we discussed in our previous podcast was about LAZADA, You can check the website or the app if you are looking for some essentials because i think they deliver during this quarantine or lockdown period, also if you are selling something then you could also open a company there thru registering your company in HK or with us. That’s how convenient it is right now especially most of the people are staying at home to avoid spreading the virus. So today, we’re going to talk about How to open your own start-up business. Online business is actually blooming nowadays, but some might not have an idea on how or where to start, or some might still have a hard time running their business, as sometimes it gets complicated in the process. Building your own ecommerce business is not as easy as others might think, and so today, I’m with Ray Ng the founder of Unipro Consulting Limited, and we will be sharing the idea and steps on how to start your own start-up ecommerce business. I hope you will find this helpful. Right Ray?
Ray : Hi Tammy, great to hear from you, I hope you and your family are safe in the Philippines. I heard that they locked down manila due to the pandemic. Can you still go out? How do you buy your essentials?
Tammy : Hi Ray, Yes the government extended the lock down until May 15 I think, we’re actually not allowed to go out, the government just sends us relief goods, but for buying some essentials I usually order online, because they deliver, like LAZADA. They have all the essentials, and it makes our life easier here. There are also some online shops that sell foods or medicines as well, so I think online business is really a good idea especially now that people spend more time on the internet.
Ray : I agree with you Tammy, people spend more time on the computer nowadays, because you can find everything that you’re looking for on the internet.That is why opening an ecommerce business is a great idea. Can you tell us why we need to consider an ecommerce business?
Why do we consider ecommerce
Tammy : Good question, of course a lot of people will be asking why they need to consider an ecommerce business, right? Looking in today’s competitive world, we might as well want to be competitive, as shopping online is expected to grow rapidly, and you want to expand globally, in addtion, this is a low cost compared to the brick and mortar businesses, If you ask me why is it a lost cost? I’ll tell you this, (1) you don’t need a place to rent for your store. (2) You don’t too much staffs, infact, 1 or 2 is just enough depends on how big is your business. Well in general, it is low rish and low cost especially for those who are just starting their ecommerce business, so if you haven’t started your ecommerce business yet, then you might want to listen to this podcast as we will be giving tips on how to start your ecommerce business.
Ray: This is great! I am so excited to hear the tips.
Tammy : Thanks Ray, so how do you really start your own ecommerce business?
- Pick your store’s name (best is to list down top 3 names you like) then
- Register your business (since you have your top 3 names, if the first choice got denied, then you still have other options, where do you register your business? There are a lot of company incorporations you can find in the google maybe, but the best choice would be in Hong Kong, as they offer lower tax compared to other countries).
- Get your business license (after you register your business, you will be having a business license and of course your.
- Employer Identification Number (this is important) then
- Apply for Business License and Business Permit
- Find the right vendors
You’ll have a lot of competition selling products online, so it’s in your best interest to find the best quality and best prices for the products you sell or materials you use to create your products. Shop around until you find a vendor you want to do business with long-term – this includes your ecommerce software (your “shopping car”). Think scalable from the start.
- Register your Logo or Trademark (it is important to have your own branding, because people will know your for this, make it simple and not too complicated for others.
- Get Visual
Consider the colors of your brand, the imagery you’ll see, and the typeface or fonts you’ll employ carefully. If you’ve got the budget, you might want to hire a markerting firm to create a design brief for your company. If not, you can create your own. Just keep it consistent and read marketing tips designed to help boost your brand.
Tammy : see? That’s how easy it is to set up a company, actually, if you have any questions about this, we offer this service and just message us. Other than this, you need to open a bank account so that when people pay you, it will go directly to your account. I think this will only apply if you have your own website or similar to this, this will make things easier for you. Besides that, of course you will need to hire someone for marketing if you need help, or a graphic designer for your website, but these things are easy when you already have those requirements i mentioned.
Ray : Well, ecommerce certainly may not be right for everyone, or it may not even be the right time for you, but it’s important to consider an ecommerce-based strategy if you have a retail operation or even an idea you want to put into action over the next several years.
Tammy : I agree with you, that it is very important to consider this, because who might know? Maybe in a few years, everything will be online already. Maybe the next step will be if they should learn drop-shipping. Which maybe we can discuss in our next podcast?
Ray : Yes of course, that might be a good idea.
Tammy : Thanks Ray for today’s podcast, always stay safe! Thank you!
Ray : Thanks Tammy, bye!