Start an eCommerce business without money from the comfort of your own home.
There are plenty of opportunities for every skill set and experience level – you just need to know where to find them.
This article explores how to start a ecommerce business with no money. We cover everything a budding entrepreneur needs for success, from choosing a business model and niche to branding and marketing.
7 Easy Steps To Start An Ecommerce Business
Step 1: Select a Business Model
It is simpler to select the appropriate model if you are well aware of the advantages and disadvantages of each. Thus, here is a brief synopsis.
Print On Demand
Print on Demand (POD) is an order fulfillment technique that allows anyone to create and market personalized goods. Buying inventory, renting storage space, or worrying about logistics are not necessary.
The POD company handles all aspects of product ordering, including printing, packing, and shipping.
Industry information
- The tremendous profit potential is reflected in the projection that global retail eCommerce sales would reach $6.9t in 2024.
- Furthermore, the market for bespoke printing will grow to $11.28 billion globally by 2032.
Advantages of POD
- Great for beginners. Easy to start, manage, and scale. You can launch your own business from the comfort of your home with only an internet connection and a laptop.
- Low risk. Pay for a product only after a sale goes through, so you won’t lose money due to unsold inventory.
- Unlimited customization. Design as many products as you like and list them all for sale to increase your chances of success.
- Wide selection. Design and sell various products from t-shirts, hoodies and shoes to tote bags and home decor.
Disdvantages of POD
- Quality. While it’s in the POD company’s interests to provide the highest quality, you have limited control over it.
- Longer fulfillment. The supplier prints products on demand, so they can’t ship immediately, which may result in longer fulfillment times.
- Lower profit margins. Product costs are higher than wholesale prices, which means potentially smaller profits.
- Split responsibility. While print companies handle fulfillment and shipping, you’re responsible for resolving issues that customers may have with these products.
Affiliate Marketing
Content producers such as bloggers, YouTubers, and TikTokers can get paid through affiliate marketing if a user clicks on one of their links and does the desired activity.
Companies typically work with affiliates to boost traffic, sales, and brand exposure.
Reach out to brands directly to find affiliate partners, or use services like Rakuten or Awin.
Becoming an affiliate is a terrific method to generate money without investing any if you already have a loyal following.
Advantages of affiliate marketing
- No barriers to getting started. You don’t need specific knowledge or experience. While it takes patience, anyone can get involved.
- Easy to begin. Simply find an affiliate partner and start today. You don’t have to deal with the complexities of running an online business, like sourcing products, shipping, or providing customer support.
- Freedom of choice. Select a brand, products, and services you want to advertise that align with your own interests. Tailor your approach to the target audience to make your campaigns more effective.
- Passive income. Initially, you need to invest time in creating traffic sources, but afterward, it can generate income without much effort.
Disadvantages of affiliate marketing
- Low commission. The commission rates are mostly low, depending on the affiliate partner. You may only receive a few cents if you’re paid for clicks instead of sales.
- High competition. Newcomers may struggle to stand out among more experienced marketers.
- Unreliable income. There are no financial guarantees. Your money-making potential depends on your following and marketing approach.
- Time-consuming. Success requires creating high-quality content, a loyal following, and patience.
Dropshipping
Dropshipping is an order fulfillment strategy that works similarly to POD in that it lets you sell goods without having to worry about manufacturing, shipping, or renting a store. Products are shipped straight from the supplier to the final user.
The inability to customize the goods you sell, however, heightens competition.
If you think this would be a good business venture for you, check out the top dropshipping websites to get going.
Industry data: By 2026, experts predict the global dropshipping industry to reach a valuation of $476.1 billion.
Advantages of dropshipping
- Easy to start. Compared with traditional business models, it’s easy to start, run, and scale since the dropshipping company produces, packages, and ships the products.
- Low risk. No need to invest in inventory. You only pay for a product after a customer buys from you.
- Wide product selection. Sell different products – from apparel to furniture – and add them to your online store at no additional expense.
- Flexible location. Run a business from home, a coffee shop, or even while traveling.
Disadvantages of dropshipping
- Fierce competition. The market is saturated, so it’s important to find profitable dropshipping niches. In addition, learn how to price a product to attract customers and stand out.
- Low profit margins. Many eCommerce businesses sell similar products, which means smaller profits for all.
- Limited branding. You can’t personalize products, making it difficult to create your own brand.
- Little to no quality control. Mostly, entrepreneurs can’t control the quality of products they sell online. Order samples from your suppliers to ensure items meet your standards if possible.
Selling Digital Products or Services
Although many people only think of eCommerce in relation to the sale of tangible goods, digital goods may also be quite profitable. For merchants and customers alike, a digital product is convenient as it eliminates the need for repetitive manufacture, storage space, and delivery.
Market digital goods such as digital art, eBooks, pictures, graphics, manuals, and online courses.
It’s an excellent approach to launch a business without funding if you possess a certain set of skills, knowledge, or experience.
Alternatively, think about working as a freelancer. Freelancers have far more freedom than employees in full-time employment. They can establish their own schedule and fees if they establish a reputation.
Step 2: Pick a Niche
A niche is a specific market segment that serves a certain customer base
By selecting the appropriate one, you can appeal to the interests of a certain group that has distinct identities and tastes, which will lessen competition.
To find out what people are searching for and spot patterns, use market research tools like Buzzsumo or Semrush.
As an illustration, a few well-liked POD niches are:
- Animals and pets.
- Activism and social causes.
- Humor and memes.
- Health and fitness.
The narrower the niche, the better. For instance, instead of selling clothing for dog owners, limit your audience further to Shiba Inu moms or labrador retriever dads.
Step 3: Establish a Brand
Create a distinctive brand identity that connects with your target market, helps you stand out from the competition, and attracts repeat business.
First things first: think of a unique, memorable business name that accurately describes what you sell. To get ideas, use Shopify’s business name generator.
Then, consider the following:
- Values. Clearly define what you stand for. People are more likely to purchase from a brand that shares their values.
- Vision. What’s your brand’s mission? Think beyond profit. What change would you like to see in the world? How can you contribute? Create meaningful connections with your audience by stating your vision.
- Voice. Develop a communication style that matches your brand’s personality and resonates with your audience, making it easier to build trust.
- Visuals. Create a cohesive visual identity that represents your brand’s values. Try design software, like GIMP or Adobe Express, to create a logo, icons, and illustrations.
Step 4: Select a Sales Channel
Reaching the correct audience and making money depend on selecting a sales channel that matches your needs and technological capabilities.
Every marketplace and eCommerce platform offers unique features, capabilities, restrictions, and policies.
platforms for eCommerce
Because of their great degree of customization, you may quickly and simply use pre-made templates to construct a standalone store. They offer a number of helpful services, like analytics tools, marketing, and payment methods.
But setting them up and customizing them takes time, and some require technical know-how.
A few examples include:
Establishing a Printify Pop-Up Store is another simple method to begin selling. You don’t have to pay anything up front because we fill every order as it comes in. We’ll make sure a product is delivered right to your customer’s door after it has been sold.
If you are a developer, Printify API can be the best choice. You can include it into your own specially designed website or application to personalize features, streamline processes, and cut down on time spent on tedious work.
marketplaces for eCommerce
These use a single platform to host every store. They let you sell to an existing customer base, much like virtual malls.
They provide you less control over the look, feel, and branding of the store, but they’re simple to set up and maintain.
Step 5: Take Care of Legalities
Check the criteria in your local jurisdiction as laws and regulations vary by nation, state, and city.
Although it’s not always required, registering a business can protect you from responsibility and have legal and financial advantages. Check out the guide on business registration provided by the U.S. Small Business Administration to learn more.
In some circumstances, a permission or business license may also be required. Discover everything there is to know about the business license application procedure by reading our comprehensive guide.
Step 6: Market Your Business
Look into various marketing possibilities while researching how to launch an eCommerce company on a shoestring. With the correct marketing plan, you may raise earnings, expand your consumer base, and raise brand awareness.
If you’re tight on cash, consider these cost-effective methods:
- Social media marketing. Social media is great for finding and engaging with a wide audience. Regularly create valuable content, run engaging contests, and post high-quality product photos to build interest.
- Email marketing. A cost-effective marketing strategy. Encourage visitors to subscribe for exclusive offers or discounts. Use Canva’s free email templates to create the perfect email.
- Content marketing. Advertise your brand and skills by publishing helpful content, like a t-shirt fabric guide or an in-depth product review, to attract and engage your target audience.
- Guerilla marketing. This involves novel or unconventional advertising methods. For example, a fun trivia event in the park or a creative social media campaign that includes user-generated content.
Step 7: Invest in Growth
When your venture starts bringing in profit, it’s wise to invest in expansion. Try these methods to fast-track success:
- Paid marketing. Reach a wider audience and increase sales with Facebook, Instagram, or TikTok ads.
- Add extra features to your store. If you use an eCommerce platform, explore their app stores. They’ll have various tools to save time and create a more seamless shopping experience.
- Email marketing tools. Automate your email workflows with tools like MailerLite, MailChimp, or Brevo.
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