Could Starting an Online Store Be Your Best Side Job?
It’s quite common these days to have a side job or ‘side hustle’ to complement your main job, bringing in some extra cash and strengthening your skills. Around 44 million American side hustlers earn extra money, gain financial independence, and learn new things. An e-commerce business could be your perfect side hustle – even developed into a full-time career if you’re strategically planning your moves. Running an online shop needs careful planning and vision, though you can basically operate it from your smartphone!
Work Smart, Not Hard
No matter how small your side business is, it needs to be approached professionally to succeed. This includes setting goals, drafting a business plan, and maintaining excellent customer service. If you’re not serious enough, your business won’t take off. Planning is vital when juggling with a day job and a side hustle. Time management skills can help by focusing on important tasks. Just ask yourself where you see your business in five years and plan accordingly.
Creating Your Digital Space
Setting up your digital space is crucial. You need a functional website that you can manage on the go, and automate as many tasks as possible to keep the business running while you’re at your day job. Thankfully, numerous apps can help to schedule social media posts, generate invoices, and handle customer inquiries. You should also automate emails for welcoming new customers or collecting feedback. Search engine optimization (SEO) is essential for your site – free CRM (Customer Relationship Management) plugins can help track sales and manage contact lists.
Engaging With Customers
Mastering how to run a successful online store in a few hours each week is great, but connecting with your customers is key. Create a social media profile that combines customers’ content with professional branded images to build a robust brand presence. Nothing spells success like a happy and engaged customer base.