Your 10-Step Checklist as a Shop Owner

With Spreadshirt, opening your own online merchandise shop is easier than ever. It’s cost-free and hassle-free! What’s better than that? In order to make the most out of the Spreadshirt shop system, there are some important steps to take to reel in those sales! Here are the top 10 things to do in the first month of being a shop owner.

1. Activate the start page

The start page is super important as it conveys the first impression a customer gets of your Shop. It’s your business card and entry ticket into people’s imagination. Use an appealing teaser image that’s in line with your brand, activate the product preview and your topics (see no. 7), and you’re in the money. Oh yes, and pay attention to what to look out for.

2. Social media

In today’s day and age, it’s no secret that social media is a marketing essential. We strongly encourage you to take part in the social media game, so your audience can get to know your brand on a whole new level. Every social media platform is different, so get familiar with them before you start promoting your shop. Marketing through social media may seem like a lot to take in, so we have a social media checklist to help walk you through the process. Don’t miss the opportunities that social media has to offer and start promoting your shop today!

3. Keyword research

Ah, the wonderful world of SEO. Search engine optimization is one of the most effective ways to organically grow the awareness of your brand. To improve your shop’s visibility on the world’s most popular search engines, keyword research is your first step. There are many online tools, both free and paid, to help gather relevant and powerful keywords to incorporate into your content. Remember, the more content you create, the more visibility your shop will receive!

4. Use shop promotions

The Spreadshirt shop system offers monthly promotions to extend to your customers. Let’s be real, who doesn’t love a good discount? Promoting shop specials through social media will excite your audience and give them a reason to come back for more! To stay updated on shop discounts, check out the Promotions Calendar located in the overview section of the user area!

5. Check out our blog for helpful hints

The Spreadshirt Blog is one of the most helpful resources for shop owners. We offer insight, trends, tips and tutorials to give you, an entrepreneur, a kick-start in the right direction. To stay in-the-loop, take a look at our blog and forum every now and then. It may inspire some new ideas!

6. Link your social media channels to your header image

We’ve already touched upon the importance of social media, but are your accounts connected to your header image yet? Driving customer traffic from your shop to your social accounts is one of the best practices for customer retention. Let consumers in on your life and bring extra meaning and value to your brand.

7. Customize your shop so it fits your target group

The visual identity of your brand is one of the first things that consumers notice. It’s the packaging of your business. Your brand aesthetics should be cohesive across the board, especially within your online presence. When your shop becomes live, make sure that your color scheme, header image, product colors and product designs coincide with the rest of your brand.

8. Consider investing in Facebook ads

Owning an online shop with Spreadshirt is 100% free. It’s rewarding to watch your profits grow when you never had to spend a single cent, that’s the beauty of our platform. Whether you’ve already made some sales, or you’re just getting started, it never hurts to consider investing in Facebook Advertising. You may be comfortable with your steady sales coming in, but how would you like to see those sales double, or maybe even triple? Facebook allows you to target your audience by age, gender, location, etc. Extend your brand’s reach by taking some of your profits and turning them into even more sales!

9. Know what’s trending

Staying on top of trends is one of the biggest obstacles for small businesses. Sometimes, it seems impossible to keep up. Luckily, there are many helpful tools available with just a couple of clicks. Between Google Alerts, blog posts, competitor analysis and personalized news feed, upcoming trends can be found all over the internet. Once you determine the best way to stay informed, anticipate what’s coming next so you can get ahead of the game!

10. Stay positive

Starting your own business isn’t easy. We recognize that. As long as you’re passionate about your brand, then your audience will be passionate about it as well. Stay confident and motivated and your efforts will sell themselves.

Are you a social influencer? Want to make money with your creativity? Monetize on your designs by opening a 100% FREE online shop today!

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