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Develop an ecommerce
business plan.

An e-commerce business plan is a vital document for entrepreneurs to have when starting a business, as it outlines a plan for the development and expansion of the company. It can assist with assessing the feasibility of the business idea, obtaining investments or loans, and creating a strategy for future success.

make your ecommerce business plan happen

Invest in your plan

Developing a business plan can be difficult, but investing the time early can save resources and avoid costly mistakes that could end the business. Even partially completing a business plan can provide more direction than doing nothing.

Develop your team

Knowing your strengths and weaknesses is essential for understanding what services you may need from suppliers. Researching potential suppliers for various business functions such as bookkeeping, accounting, legal, distribution, and marketing is important to be prepared for business growth..

Brush up on your negotiation skills

The type of item you are providing will determine if you need to depend significantly on certain suppliers or if it is a complex item, you may need to sell it with more of a consultative approach. Regardless of whether you are buying or selling, honing negotiation skills can help you get better deals from your suppliers or help you increase your profits as a seller.

negotiating when creating an eCommerce business plan
small business marketing and ecommerce business plan

Be seen

Investing in marketing and advertising is essential, but it can be expensive, especially when your business has zero brand equity. A good marketing agency will try to fit your budget, but if it is too low then you may need to do most of the marketing yourself.

FAQs

What is an ecommerce business plan?

A business plan for an ecommerce business outlines a strategy and goals for the business. It includes information on the target market, products and services, marketing and sales strategies, operational plans, financial projections, and other important aspects.

Can you outline the key areas of a ecommerce business plan?

A typical e-commerce business plan includes the following elements:

  1. Executive Summary: This section provides a brief overview of the business, its products and services, target market, and goals.
  2. Market Analysis: This section includes information on the target market, consumer behaviour, market trends, and competition.
  3. Products and Services: This section describes the products and services offered by the business, including product features, benefits, and pricing.
  4. Marketing and Sales Strategy: This section outlines the marketing and sales strategies that will be used to reach the target market, including advertising, promotions, and distribution channels.
  5. Operations Plan: This section describes the operational processes and systems that will be used to run the business, including inventory management, order fulfillment, and customer service.
  6. Financial Projections: This section includes financial projections for the business, including sales projections, costs, and profits.

Do you have any resources for developing a business plan?

The Australian Government’s business.gov.au website provides some great templates and tools, to help get you started on your market research and business plan.

Business Plan template and guide

What can I do to grow my ecommerce business?

Growing an ecommerce business can be challenging, but there are several strategies that can help increase sales and reach more customers. Here are some things you can do to grow your e-commerce business:

  1. Optimise your website: Make sure your website is easy to use, visually appealing, and optimised for search engines. This can help improve the user experience and increase the visibility of your site to potential customers.
  2. Offer high-quality products and excellent customer service: Offer high-quality products that meet the needs of your customers and provide excellent customer service. This can help build customer trust and loyalty and increase repeat purchases.
  3. Use social media: Use social media platforms, such as Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter, to reach potential customers and build a following. Share information about your products, promotions, and events, and engage with your followers to build a strong online presence.
  4. Invest in marketing: Invest in marketing campaigns, such as email marketing, paid advertising, and influencer marketing, to reach more customers and increase sales.
  5. Offer promotions and discounts: Offer promotions and discounts to customers to encourage them to make purchases and increase sales.
  6. Diversify your product range: Consider diversifying your product range to reach a wider customer base and increase sales.
  7. Offer a loyalty program: Offer a loyalty program to reward customers for their repeat purchases and encourage them to make more purchases in the future.
  8. Expand into new markets: Consider expanding into new markets, such as international markets, to reach more customers and increase sales.

What do I need to start an ecommerce business?

We have provided some resources to get you started and they can be found on our ‘How to start an online business with Little Big Shop’ page.