Whenever I need evidence of the continued strength of the e-commerce sector, I look at the mountain of packages piling up on my doorstep.
The transition to selling online is one of the few things the ongoing pandemic hasn’t changed about our economic landscape. According to the US Department of Commerce, online or “non-store” sales outpaced general merchandise sales for the first time in early 2019. New data from Adobe suggests Covid-19 security concerns will fuel e-commerce growth in two years from the single holiday season. Riding this wave of online sales is paying off for anyone looking to get ahead during the pandemic and beyond.
For all the convenience and efficiency of digital selling, we know all too well that the online boom isn’t always good news for small businesses. How do we ensure that the millions of small businesses in the US have a share of this economic pie?
That task begins with equipping everyone with the tools and training to help them make the final move to selling online. Early data shows that small businesses that increased their online presence due to the pandemic saw record sales during the Black Friday vacation. The Shopify e-commerce platform had huge Black Friday sales of $ 2.4 billion on its platform alone. For anyone looking to make the most of this holiday season and the cold winter months ahead, here are a few ways to get in on the loot.
Learn the digital ropes
Doing business online is not the same as doing business in person. From processing payments to digital marketing to choosing an e-commerce platform, moving resources online requires a learning curve.
Fortunately, there is no shortage of resources to help you learn the digital ropes. The Etsy Seller Guide helps newbies with tips and tricks on everything from product photography to shipping to seasonal tips. On eBay, you can take advantage of the Seller School program, which offers free courses on digital marketing and business processes at your own pace. Shopify also maintains a comprehensive wiki on how to migrate your business to its ecommerce platform and start growing online.
Do you need advice from someone who is going through the same things themselves? 300,000+ small business co-entrepreneurs ready to showcase their expertise in my company’s online business to everyone. Never be afraid to ask for help!
Get funding to scale
Selling online can save you money in the long run. However, you still need to invest in the digital tools and talent to keep it running solidly. It’s one of the reasons my company worked with eBay to provide the funding sellers need to be successful. Through the eBay Up & Running Grant Program, 50 small business eBay sellers will receive a $ 10,000 grant package to invest in an online future. You can apply for the program here until December 11th.
Other great options include the $ 10,000 Amber Grant for Women Entrepreneurs, the KKR Small Business Builders Program of $ 10,000, and loan options from Community Development Financial Institutions (CDFIs) designed to help underserved populations in your immediate community.
Of course, we are all still waiting to see what kind of stimulus aid may come from the federal government. The additional round of funding currently available for the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and the Economic Injury Disaster Loan (EIDL) could mean the difference between life and death for many small businesses. I recommend keeping an eye on all developments so that you can come first with all the tools available.
Always think about the basics
As I wrote earlier, the keys to a successful vacation marketing campaign are basic things like understanding your customer journey and planning for success. Sure, there’s a lot to learn about selling products on Instagram versus a store – but a lot of things stay the same. There will never be an app or website that can replace the value of a good product or service.
At the end of the day, we need to remember that the sky doesn’t fall. The ground does not move (completely) under our feet. It’s just time to look for new resources, strategies, and perspectives to move your business forward.
The opinions expressed by Inc.com columnists here are their own, not those of Inc.com.
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