{"id":3893,"date":"2023-10-03T03:51:12","date_gmt":"2023-10-03T03:51:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/ownrblog-preprod.go-vip.net\/?p=3893"},"modified":"2026-04-13T13:56:56","modified_gmt":"2026-04-13T13:56:56","slug":"take-business-online","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.ownr.co\/blog\/take-business-online\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Move Your Business Online"},"content":{"rendered":"

Starting a new online business<\/a> can be difficult, but transitioning an existing business online can be even more challenging. However, for existing brick-and-mortar businesses, it presents a great opportunity to reach a larger audience and make it easier to adjust to uncertain economic climates. With the right tips and strategies, you can move your existing store online quickly and easily.<\/p>\r\n

In this article, we will discuss some of the tips for moving your business online. We will cover topics such as planning an online strategy, choosing an eCommerce platform<\/a>, setting up online inventory and payment systems, scaling your online business, and more. By following these steps, you can move your existing store online and open up new opportunities for growth.<\/p>\r\n

1. Evaluate the state of your brick-and-mortar business<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

Now is the time to sit down and critically evaluate where you stand. Where are the financial risks, competitor threats, pre-existing or new business opportunities. Taking your business online can help you mitigate risks, such as the closure of physical stores during COVID-19, as well as take advantage of new opportunities.<\/p>\r\n

2. Plan your online strategy<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

What would be the benefits of moving your business online?<\/h3>\r\n

Moving your business online or expanding its online offering may be beneficial to your bottom line because:<\/p>\r\n

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  1. Customers are beginning to see traditional business transitions to online sales and delivery models as the new norm<\/li>\r\n
  2. Customers have more free time to discover your product online, especially with the shift to remote work<\/li>\r\n
  3. Not having traditional storefronts can give you a chance to re-evaluate the need for physical square footage<\/li>\r\n<\/ol>\r\n

    What would be the best way to move your business online?<\/h3>\r\n

    Moving your business online is a big undertaking, but it doesn\u2019t have to be intimidating.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

    To start, you can move your business online with the help of third-party local delivery apps. If your business sells a physical product that travels well and is portable enough to be delivered by a single individual, signing your business up for this service also means you don\u2019t have to worry about organizing a delivery fleet since that\u2019s taken care of.<\/p>\r\n

    You can get started using apps like UberEats, Doordash, Fantuan, which focus more heavily on prepared food and beverage delivery. Foodora is one of the first apps that has expanded its delivery services by adding a \u201cShops\u201d category, including independent grocery stores, pharmacies, breweries and even florists.<\/p>\r\n

    These apps connect customers with your product and provide you with an opportunity to evolve your existing offerings.\u00a0 For example, some restaurants using local food delivery apps have taken a creative approach to marketing their products to work-from-home customers. They have transformed their food and drink menu items into deliverable \u201cmeal kits\u201d so that customers can enjoy recreating the experience in their home.\u00a0<\/p>\r\n

    When shipping your products to your customers, packaging<\/a> is a key piece of the puzzle that ensures an enjoyable customer experience and discourages negative reviews of your products online. If a shopping product is new to your business, or if you\u2019re looking for tips on how to scale your shipping logistics, here are 5 of the best shipping tips for small businesses<\/span><\/a>.<\/p>\r\n

    Recently, Airbnb also announced the introduction of their Airbnb Online Experiences program, which connects individuals with guided experiences and lessons from the comfort of their home. If you think your business offers experiences that can be offered or transformed for participation remotely, you can apply to become part of the program. When it comes to services, there has also been a notable migration to video-conferencing communication methods for services like therapy and accounting.<\/p>\r\n

    3. Move your offline business to a website<\/strong><\/h2>\r\n

    While using third-party delivery services is a quick and easy option to get your products seen, creating your own POS-enabled website helps you control the look and feel of your product, and gives you more freedom when it comes to the types of products and services you can list.<\/p>\r\n

    Take stock of your product and service portfolio<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

    How much of your product range do you want to make available online? It\u2019s important to consider your current stock levels and distribution models–including the hidden costs of shipping and contactless delivery–to ensure you can meet customer demand. Having a well-thought inventory management<\/a> system can make your transition to online easier and ensure you can accurately track online inventories.<\/p>\r\n

    Choose a website builder for your business<\/strong><\/h3>\r\n

    Once you\u2019ve decided what products and services you want to make available to your customers online, it\u2019s time to set up a website that showcases your products. To accomplish this, choose a good business website builder<\/span><\/a> that stands above the rest and will help you easily create an online storefront with payment integration. Some of the qualities to look for in a website builder for small businesses are:<\/p>\r\n