As the name suggests, an online store is a space where you can showcase and sell your products or services.

To buy items, customers visit the brand's website or app, add items to a virtual shopping cart and pay to complete the purchase.

Unlike a physical shop, an online store doesn't need a physical space to operate, as it is hosted on the internet.

• By choosing to launch your business online, you avoid much of the red tape involved in setting up and maintaining a physical premises.

• As well as far less work, the costs of an online store are also lower.

• As sales aren't limited to a single location, your audience of potential customers grows significantly.

• Online stores are open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, so customers can buy at any time.

• The search is fast and intuitive, by item or category;

• A wide range of payment methods available;

• The option to customise your online store's layout;

• Quick implementation, combined with simple day-to-day management;

• ​ The customer can check the status of their order in the online store's account area;

• The products or services can easily be shared on social media;

• You can add several photos of the same product, which brings customers closer to the product;

• You can stay in touch with your customers by sending newsletters;

• You'll have access to key statistical data that will be an excellent starting point for growing your store;

To publish an online store you need a domain, web hosting and a platform.

Domain: the address people will use to view your products or services (e.g. www.mybusinessstore.pt). It requires an annual fee.

Web Hosting: with a physical shop you either own the premises or rent them. Online it's not much different. Hosting is where your website's files are stored. It also requires an annual fee.

Platform: The platform you choose depends on the project's needs. The platforms we usually work with are WooCommerce or PrestaShop and, for more complex projects, Magento or even custom development.

1. Market research
2. Planning
3. Choosing the hosting, domain and platform, and developing the sales website;
4. Deciding how you will ship your products and to which regions;
5. Choosing the payment methods and the kind of online presence you want;
6. Opening a business bank account;
7. Researching the terms most searched for by potential customers;
8. Preparing all the information about your products and adding them to the store;
9. Testing the website and improving every aspect considered essential;
10. Promoting the website and ensuring excellent customer support;

The features no online store should be without are:

• Quick access to basic information such as payment methods and returns policy;
• Order tracking for customers;
• Automation of basic processes;
• SSL certificate, antivirus, anti-spam and backup system;
• A simple checkout that leaves customers in no doubt;
• Clear information about shipping costs;
• Responsive design, adapted to every screen size;
• A simple, intuitive layout;
• Abandoned cart recovery.

In Portugal – and elsewhere – selling products online involves some administrative processes that you can't overlook. Some of the most important are:

• Registering your business activity with the tax authority: your online store must be able to issue invoices to customers, so it must be registered with the tax authority. You can complete this process online or in person, but always consult a professional;
• Geographic restrictions: this information must be visible to your customers and leave no room for doubt;
• Payment methods: you should know in advance which payment methods will be used and set up the associated accounts;
• Terms and conditions, privacy policy and online complaints book: these three pages are mandatory and must be visible on your website so customers can access them easily;

Although creating an online store has costs, they are much lower than opening a physical shop. The costs are:

• Setting up the company/registering the brand;
• Creating an online store in line with the brand's mission and values;
• Marketing investment (SEO, Online Advertising, Email Marketing, Social Media, among others);
• Registering the domain and purchasing hosting;
• Services that automate ecommerce tasks;
• Finally, if applicable, investment in stock;

Shipping costs should be calculated based on several factors. For example, will you ship only within Portugal or across Europe? Will you use a courier? And what about shipping fees: will shipping be free above a certain amount?

This information should be clearly highlighted for customers.

Once the website is launched, the first step is to test it and improve anything that doesn't meet the required quality or functionality. This testing can cover how it displays on different devices, whether links and forms work, and loading speed.

Once testing is done and the website has officially launched, it's time to promote it. You should outline a digital marketing strategy and choose the best techniques for your goals and budget, such as SEO, email marketing and social media.

If you have a budget for offline or online advertising, that can also be an excellent way to grow your brand and, in turn, your sales. What really matters is not just sitting back and waiting for sales.

As well as digital marketing, it's essential to invest in customer loyalty techniques. Pay attention to customer service: as well as helping customers complete their purchase, it will help you keep them afterwards.

This support can be provided through an FAQ page, a chat on the website itself, email marketing or easy access to contact details.

If you already have an online store, at Ourview we can boost your sales and increase your profit. Changes to planning are often needed so that your ecommerce store gets better results.

The consulting is essential to diagnose problems, propose solutions and increase your business's profitability.

Our role is to identify potential performance issues in your store and take action so your goals are achieved.