Ecommerce: Tricks for Navigating this Profitable Sales Tool

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eCommerce Tips and Tricks

Todd Downing started Fat Dad Custom Designs in a spare bedroom 13 years ago, really started taking things seriously 4 years ago and now has an 8,000 square foot mall storefront. He is one of the Admins of Sublimation and more a Facebook group of over 40,000 members. Todd also recently started the Fat Dad Wholesale Business Basics Facebook group aimed at helping those micro-businesses make the leap to the next level. 

Aaron: So start us out with the planning phase for you. What is important to have figured out in your head before diving into setting up an ecommerce store? 

Todd: What do you want the store to do for you? What kind of results do you want? Do you want leads, do you want sales, or do you just want a place where people can find you. 

Terry: Where do you spend the most time and what section of the ecommerce site is the most important to you?

Todd: in the mock up stage. Pics sell so make sure you use great pics. 

Aaron: You do a lot with ecwid and I believe are even working on some specific training for that platform. What lead you to pick that over lets say a Shopify or BigCommerce?

Todd: 3 things lead me to Ecwid, the first being its free. There are so many paid choices out there it’s hard to know what’s going to work for you and if it’s worth it. 2, the ease of set up, I can have a simple store up and running within a half hour from sign up to first sale. 3. You aren’t tied to one platform. Ecwid can be tied to many different sites. 

Terry: You’ve talked about images and mock-ups. Do you have any other tips for those on the site? 

Todd: Every major supplier has their images on their websites, use those to make your mockups look as realistic as possible. 

Aaron: Let’s talk about getting people to the site. What are some suggestions to drive traffic to your new store?

Todd: Post post post and post some more. Spread the word everywhere. Post the link in your emails, blog posts, Instagram post, Twitter, everywhere! 

Terry: What are some other uses for having an ecommerce store outside of just selling your products online? What are some other markets? (For Todd – Examples might be Team Stores, Merch for YouTubers etc.)

Todd: At any one time we have at least 5 stores going that include team apparel, fundraisers,benefits, and corporate apparel. 

Aaron: If you could only give someone one tip, what would the #1 Tip you would give people setting up an eCommerce Site?

Todd: Don’t be afraid.