Building Your Own Webshop: A Complete Step-by-Step Guide

Why Start a Webshop?

Starting a webshop is a logical step for many entrepreneurs today. The process is relatively simple and requires little technical knowledge. Moreover, a webshop offers the following benefits:

• Continuous Revenue Stream: A webshop generates income 24/7, even when your physical store is closed. This provides a stable and ongoing source of revenue.
• Efficiency and Automation: Once your webshop is properly set up, it operates almost automatically. This means you need minimal staff, saving costs and increasing your operational efficiency.
• Reach Potential Customers: Attracting potential customers online is often easier than through physical marketing methods. A webshop allows you to reach a broader audience, regardless of location or time.

In short, a webshop offers a smart, efficient way to grow your business and expand your reach.

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Your Webshop

In the following steps, we'll discuss how to successfully launch your webshop.

1. What Will You Sell and Who Is Your Target Audience?

The first step in starting a webshop is determining your offerings and target audience. Carefully consider what you want to sell and to whom. Will you opt for a wide range of products, or will you focus on a limited number of items to cater to a specific niche market? Once you have chosen your products, it’s crucial to clearly define your target audience.
Conduct thorough research to understand what your potential customers value, so you can tailor your webshop to meet their needs. This will not only help you align your offerings with their demands but also allow you to think strategically about how to effectively attract this audience to your webshop. The success of your webshop begins with a well-thought-out plan that brings together your products, target audience, and marketing strategy.

2. Write a Strong Business Plan

Creating a business plan might seem daunting, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. What’s important is not to underestimate its value. A strong business plan for your webshop should include the following elements:

• Executive Summary: A brief overview of your plans and goals.
• Webshop Description: Describe what your webshop offers and how it stands out.
• Target Audience Analysis: Who are your customers and what are their needs?
• Operational Plan: Discuss the division of tasks and the shipping process.
• Product or Service Overview: What will you sell and why?
• Marketing Strategy: How will you promote your webshop and attract customers?
• Competitive Analysis: Identify both your online and offline competitors.
• Financial Projections: Estimate the financial viability of your webshop.

3. Choose a Good Name for Your Webshop

An original and memorable name for your webshop is crucial. The name should be easy to spell, catchy, and clearly indicate what your webshop offers. Check if the name is already in use by another company and if the corresponding domain name is still available. If another business is using the name in a different sector, this usually isn’t an issue as long as there’s no potential for confusion.

4. Build Your Webshop Yourself

Many entrepreneurs outsource the creation of their webshop to IT experts due to a lack of technical knowledge. However, with Unipage’s webshop solution, coding or a technical background is no longer necessary. You can easily set up and launch your own webshop in just a few minutes, making costly outsourcing unnecessary.

Don’t Forget the Administrative Side of Your Webshop

Once your webshop is ready to launch, you’ll also need to take care of the administrative aspects. Running a webshop is an independent activity, so ensure you adjust your social status to either a full-time or part-time self-employed status. Next, you’ll need to choose a business structure; each corporate form has its own advantages and disadvantages, so research which one best suits you. Additionally, you must register with a social insurance fund, where you’ll pay quarterly social contributions based on your status and income. In return, you’ll be covered for social security benefits such as health insurance, pension accrual, and child benefits.

Finally, don’t forget to register with the KBO (Crossroads Bank for Enterprises). After registration, you’ll receive a business number, which is different from your VAT number, which must be applied for separately. As a small business, you might also consider applying for a VAT exemption.

Pitfalls to Avoid for Your Webshop

Even if you've considered all the aspects mentioned earlier, there are still some common pitfalls to watch out for. These are often overlooked by entrepreneurs.

1. A Good Structure Is Crucial

The user-friendliness of your webshop plays a major role in its success. The easier it is to navigate your webshop, the more likely visitors are to make a purchase. Online shoppers often have little patience; if they can't quickly find what they're looking for, they will soon move on to another site. Therefore, an optimal user experience is essential. Ensure that your product offerings are logically and clearly organized, with distinct categories like clothing, shoes, accessories, and so on. Keep it simple and straightforward. Test your webshop's structure by asking friends or family to search for specific products. If they struggle to find something, it’s time to adjust your structure.

2. The Visibility of Your Webshop

Simply launching your webshop isn't enough to attract customers; you need to make sure people can find it. If your webshop isn’t being found, it’s often due to a lack of online visibility, also known as SEO (Search Engine Optimization). This involves optimizing your website for search engines like Google, so that potential customers can easily find you.
Thorough keyword research is essential in this regard. Keywords are the terms people use in search engines to find your webshop. For example, if you run an online jewelry store, there are many search terms you can target, such as "buy gold jewelry online." To rank well for these terms, it’s important to create good content. Make sure the categories and product pages on your website are optimized for the chosen keywords.

3. Ensure All Information Is Clear and Accessible to the Customer

Providing clear business information and terms may not be the most exciting task, but it is crucial, especially when you’re just starting out and don’t yet have reviews. Without clear terms and conditions, your webshop may raise suspicions among potential customers, something you want to avoid at all costs. Be sure to clearly communicate return procedures, delivery terms, shipping costs, and delivery times. This information can be decisive for customers when deciding whether to make a purchase. If these terms are not well described, there’s a high chance that customers will leave your webshop without completing their order.

By paying attention to these aspects, you significantly increase the chances of having a successful webshop.

Your Webshop with Unipage

A webshop from Unipage offers simplicity, reliability, and user-friendliness thanks to the unique Unipage software platform. This system includes all the features you need for optimal business operations, such as a complete floor plan, automated payments, and a centrally managed cloud database.

Would you like more information or a free quote? Feel free to contact one of our experts.