How to Start an Online Clothing Store: 7 Tips for New Entrepreneurs

1. Pick an Online Store Builder

The first step to starting an online store is making sure you have an online store builder that works for your needs. Part of this process is also picking an eCommerce plan so that you can connect them to each other to process payments and make sales.

Online store builders will take care of all the technical stuff, so you don't have to. When choosing one, it's best to look for one that can grow as your business does, too, rather than one that is only for smaller businesses. Dream big!

Here's are a few top-rated online store builders to choose from:

• Shopify: this one has a sophisticated inventory system
• BigCommerce: this has great social media integration
• Wix: great for smaller companies for ease of use
• Squarespace: offers lots of great templates

Choosing your online store builder is one of the most daunting of steps. It gets easier from here!

2. Network

Once you have the actual technical aspect of how you are going to open your online store, you need to use your network to your advantage.

This means using the people you know to help you build the store. For instance, you'll need an LLC to go about this. You may not know how to go about getting one, but your friend down the street may be able to help you.

The same goes for building the website and doing everything else that comes with building a business.

Don't forget about asking your family for their knowledge, advice, and help as well!

3. Invest Time in Your Digital Marketing Strategy 

Let's face it. Without a digital marketing strategy, your business is not going to go as far as it could. This is because social media is a great way to ensure you are reaching customers you otherwise wouldn't.

With over a billion active monthly users on Instagram, you would be missing out if you didn't use that to your advantage.

Here are a few things to think about when it comes to your digital marketing strategy:

• Build your social media platforms like Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok
• Run pay-per-click advertising 
• Build a website while optimizing SEO

There are other things you'll want to do for your digital marketing strategy, but these are just a few that will help you get started.

4. Understand Your Finances

When starting a business, you also need to understand your finances and what your budget for the venture is.

You'll need to think about whether you are going to take out a loan or are taking out of savings. You should have a monthly budget laid out before you start as well, so you know how much you can spend on marketing versus manufacturers and so on.

As you move forward with the business, you may need to make changes to your budget and finances, but that's okay! That comes with growth and learning.

5. Choose a Business Model 

So you know what you need to do in terms of marketing and getting your website started. But what else do you need to do to start a dropshipping business?

You need to choose your specific business model. This means you are deciding on how you want to run your business, so you know what type of business you'll be doing and what type of licensing you'll need. 

Here are a few models to choose from as an online store.

Print On Demand 

This means you have items of clothing that you add your logo to. You can do it yourself or have a third-party company do it for you.

Custom Cut and Sew

Either you are doing this yourself, or you will be paying someone else to make it for you. Everything is custom and made to your liking.

Private Label

This is more common. A private label is when you choose to partner with a manufacturing company where you then add your own logo.

Dropshipping

Dropshipping requires the smallest investment out of all of the options but can be a tough field to get into. Your business partners with a wholesale supplier where you display their items on your website.

6. Launch the Store

Once you know your business model, your finances, and have your online storefront platform, you can launch your store! The more you market this launch, the better off you'll be.

7. Reinvent and Restructure

As your store grows or your brand grows, and things change, you will need to sit down to reinvent and restructure what you have in front of you.

As the times change, you will also need to change things about your business. It's a constantly changing world out there, so keeping up with the current trends is one of the best ways to keep your business alive.

How to Start an Online Clothing Store

With these tips, you should know exactly how to start an online clothing store that is successful! 

Contact us to discuss what you are thinking in terms of your business model, especially if you choose to go with the dropshipping method of things.