Lessons to learn scaling up your business as an importer and e-commerce merchant.

If you want to achieve real growth, you need to scale up your business as a mini-importer and e-commerce merchant. To do this, you may need to find new suppliers, establish a new warehouse and invest in technology. But it’s worth it. By maintaining the right systems and organizing your business effectively, you’ll be able to achieve growth without taking on unnecessary risk.

Many business owners are attracted to the idea of going into importation. It is not as easy as it sounds though. The importing process can be very complex. If you have no prior experience in international trade, you may find yourself in over your head very quickly. This article is a guide that will help you to do the following: (1) understand what it takes to become a mini-importer, (2) understand the different ways you can scale up your business, and (3) make strategic decisions for your business.

1. Choosing the right products

Choosing the right mini-importation niche is one of the most critical factors when starting your own import business. The reason for this is that you will be competing with other importers for the same market share and resources. You can’t afford to choose a niche that is already saturated with established importers.

The market is saturated with importers and distributors. So how do you stand out? Sometimes knowing what to do isn’t enough. You need the right marketing plan. But first, you have to find a niche that fits your personality, skills, and resources.

2. Researching the market and competition

The market for mini-importing is growing. Companies are looking for new, effective ways of doing business and they are finding it in outsourcing. If you want to succeed in this market, you need to do your research. You need to know what’s going on in the industry, who your competitors are and more. Otherwise, you might find yourself falling behind and losing out on valuable opportunities.

3. Finding a supplier

Finding a mini-importation supplier that suits you can be a difficult process. That’s why it’s important to do your research before you buy. For example, you’ll want to know what type of goods and services they specialize in. And how long they’ve been in business. It’s also good to find out how they handle payments, since this is crucial when it comes to establishing a long-term relationship.

4. Setting up your online store

It’s not a secret that this is the best way to start your own business online. The question is how do you start your online store? There are a few steps you need to take to get started. It’s important to choose the correct niche, you can use an existing site or have a new website designed. You should choose a name for your store, setup a payment gateway and work on building a brand. You will also need to work on building your email list and doing some promoting at the beginning. Also, ensure to have reached out to necessary vendors or co-brands that can make your work much easier. Should I guess that you know that DeliverAsap should be the one handling your cargo logistics, to of course make work easier for you and get you running from Day One.

5. Managing your online store

The Internet has revolutionized the way we shop. People have become accustomed to placing orders on their computers or smartphones, which is convenient and efficient. Just like brick and mortar stores, online shops are also managed by managers. So you need to effectively manage your online store by ensuring you don’t run dry of contents that can help your customers make better decision while shopping and at the same time turn in leads to you.

6. Marketing your online store

Do you have a great product? If you do, then you need to get the word out. And that’s where online marketing comes in. It can take a lot of hard work and perseverance, but if you’re dedicated, it’s certainly possible to succeed.

If you want to make money online, you’ll need to learn how to market your business. In order to get your product, service or information out to the masses, you’ll need to learn some basic marketing techniques.

7. Expanding your business

When expanding your business it is important to have a plan. It is good to take into consideration the market trend, what is happening in the industry, finances and other factors. If you don’t have a plan you might find yourself with too much inventory, not enough sales or even lose money. When planning for expansion it is a good idea to start small and work your way up. Don’t make the mistake of rushing into things and then regretting it later on.