As a boutique owner, I’m sure you are well aware of the growing necessity to build and maintain a strong online presence for your boutique. With the emergence of e-commerce as a powerful force in the retail landscape, more and more consumers are turning to retailers that are visible online. So now more than ever, it is vital to have a website enticing enough to have your customers visit and make those same visitors continuously wanting to keep coming back. Here are some of the basics to help you boost and maintain your current online visibility:

 

Pinterest Buyable Pins

 

You can sell your products on Pinterest for free with Buyable Pins. Buyable Pins allow consumers to buy your products without ever leaving Pinterest. People can easily spot your pins all over Pinterest—in search results, in related Pins and on your unique business profile. Pinterest allows you to handle shipping and customer service the way you always have without taking a cut from your sales. However, if you have the need, you can choose to pay to promote your pins through ads called Promoted Pins.

 

Facebook Shop

 

With Facebook Shop you can sell products directly on your Facebook Page. Depending on what you choose, customers can checkout quickly without leaving Facebook or checkout on your website. Facebook Shop works on mobile devices, is free to use, and just like Pinterest, will not take a percentage of what you earn.

 

Facebook Messenger

 

Facebook recently changed its e-commerce capabilities to integrate smoothly with mobile messaging. Once in the Facebook Messenger app, your customers can interact with a bot and make a purchase with the “Buy Now” button. Messenger offers customers a seamless journey from your Page to the Messenger app, and from there to a purchase with just a few clicks.

 

Amazon

 

Amazon offers different selling plan options to help increase sales and reach new customers depending on the amount of products you intend on selling each month. Unlike Pinterest and Facebook however, Amazon will charge fees to sell on their site and will take a portion of your sales. You must weigh the pros and cons based on your selling goals and determine what you would like to get out of creating and maintaining your online presence.

 

Etsy

 

Joining and starting a shop on Etsy is free. However, there are three basic selling fees: a listing fee, a transaction fee, and a payment processing fee. Etsy is a marketplace where people around the world connect to make, sell, and buy unique goods. You can sell handmade goods, vintage items and craft supplies on Etsy. So depending on the types of products you offer, selling on this platform may or may not be the best option for you and your boutique.

 

After building out your website and utilizing the social media platforms available to you, the next steps involve establishing your Internet presence. Social e-commerce should only be one part of a broad e-commerce strategy that leverages multiple sales channels, including a wholly-owned online storefront. The final step is to maintain, maintain, and maintain even more. Building out your boutique’s internet presence is anything but a one-time job. It requires ongoing care and attention to detail. While these tips will allow you to set up your presence, the job isn’t over by any means. Building a professional and reputable Internet presence takes time, but every bit of time, money, and energy you pour into establishing your brand will pay off in the end. Keep these basics in mind and be ever mindful of major shifts and changes, so that you’re prepared for whatever comes your way.