6 Easy Steps to Take your Physical Business Online Now

3 women discussing how to take their physical business online.

So you want to go online with your physical business? Congratulations, that is the trend nowadays. Deciding and committing to take your physical business online is just the way to go – if you’re a brick-and-mortar niche product retailer or a local service provider looking to expand your reach and customer base.

3 women discussing how to take their physical business online.
Photo by olia danilevich

Starting your own business online is simple and easy these days, and you can do it from anywhere! Here are 6 simple steps you can take right now to take your physical business online!

6 Steps to Take Your Physical Business Online

Physical businesses can be successful online. But it’s a whole new world, and there are some steps you need to take before you get your physical businesses shifting to online space. Many new businesses coming online do not take these steps, that is why many of these new online businesses fail.

Here are six steps to take your physical business online:

Do your Research

Before you take your physical business online, do your research. Ask yourself if you even need to be online. Check the pros and cons of Online vs offline businesses. And, be sure to determine your business need to go online.

First and foremost, you must define your objectives and how you intend to achieve them. This will assist you in making decisions on everything from the layout of your website and online shop to the payment methods you use and whether to offer free delivery.

Photo by Yan Krukov 

Take the time to learn about the different types of products that sell well online and determine which one is best for your business. You may have a fantastic idea for an online store, but if you don’t know how to find a niche or market your business, you risk wasting time and money.

If you want to start an eCommerce site on Shopify, you should also conduct research. You must understand how eCommerce works and how it differs from traditional businesses.

Create a website

Another thing to think about when you are thinking about how to take your physical business online is to get a website. Having a website was not always required to run a successful business. However, it is now necessary.

A website serves as your storefront. It’s how people learn about you and what you have to offer. If you don’t have a website, people will look for someone else to do business with, such as an established company or someone who has their own website.

It’s also much easier to persuade people to buy from you if all of your information is in one place. Without a website, they’ll most likely have to go through multiple steps just to get there, such as opening an email, clicking on an email link, and then filling out forms before finally providing you with their contact information (and then perhaps getting another follow-up email from you).

All of this takes time and effort, time that could be spent making sales or doing more work for existing customers.

Photo by Tranmautritam

What Type of Website to Consider?

  • A Blog

A blog is essentially an online journal where you post content in the form of articles, photos, and videos. It’s simple to set up, keep up with, and update on a regular basis.

  • An E-Commerce site

If you want to sell products or services directly through your website, an eCommerce site allows users to browse through various categories and add items directly into their shopping carts without leaving the site once they’ve begun browsing for desired items.

You may be wondering how you can create a website that sells your products or services if you are not a technical person. Don’t be concerned! There are numerous tools available that allow anyone with no coding experience to create their own website.

WordPress, Squarespace, and Shopify are just a few examples of website creation platforms. The option you select is determined by the type of content you wish to display and the level of control you desire over design and layout.

Create a page where customers can purchase a product or service if you’re selling it directly from your website. If you use a shopping cart platform like Big Commerce or Shopify, they will handle the majority of this process for you.

Set up social media accounts

You don’t have to be a social media marketing expert to establish a presence on social media. All you need to do is commit to creating useful content and connecting with others.

When you take your physical business online, you will use social media marketing to reach out to your customers online. Signing up for accounts on the most popular social media platforms and posting regular updates is the best way to accomplish this.

Photo by Pixabay

It is difficult to ignore the impact of social media on your business if you are a business owner. You’re probably aware that Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, and other platforms are excellent places to network and expand your reach. However, it may be unclear how to use them effectively.

Here are the first five steps to getting started with social media:

  • Make a profile for each platform.

Don’t just create an account; fill out all the information so that your profile looks professional and inviting.

  • Make frequent posts.

Create an editorial calendar for your posts and stick to it to avoid overwhelming your followers with too much content all at once.

  • Respond to comments and questions as soon as possible (within 24 hours).

Customers will gain trust and confidence in your brand’s customer service abilities as a result of this, especially if they have a problem with their order or product, which happens to everyone from time to time!

  • Use social media to promote daily deals or discounts.

Customers will be more likely to engage with your brand through these channels if they see that they can receive special discounts by following you on Twitter or liking your Facebook page.

Set Up Digital Payment Options

When you have plans to take your physical business online, you must also plan to set up a digital payment option. If you own a small business, it is essential that you provide digital payment options to your customers. This will enable them to pay for goods and services online, potentially increasing your sales significantly.

While some online businesses may have the luxury of accepting credit cards through their website, many offline businesses do not. Payment processors can help with this.

Photo by Andrea Piacquadio

A payment processor is a company that acts as a go-between for the merchant (you) and the bank or credit card company (the customer). The processor’s job is to make transactions easier by allowing merchants to accept credit card payments from customers via the internet.

This not only allows you to accept credit card payments, but it also provides additional benefits such as fraud prevention and chargeback and refund protection.

Why you should enable digital payments on your website:

  1. It simplifies the purchasing process for customers.
  2. It increases sales
  3. It boosts trust in your company.

Develop content for your website and social media platforms

This one is a no-brainer when taking your physical business online. Content marketing is an excellent method for attracting new customers to your website. It is also an effective method of engaging existing customers and increasing loyalty.

The process of creating content for the purpose of selling and attracting customers is known as content marketing. Content marketing can take many forms, including blogs, e-books, and infographics.

Photo by Judit Peter

The idea is that if you create interesting, useful information that people want to read or watch, they will be more likely to share it with their Facebook and Twitter friends and followers. This increases brand recognition and traffic to your website. This brings more awareness of your business than you had before you considered to take your physical business online.

Creating content for your company’s website can help increase traffic and sales. Furthermore, creating social media posts will aid in the retention of current customers.

Be patient and give it time to grow!

The most important thing to remember is that when you take your physical business online, it will take time to grow. It is not something that occurs overnight.

I understand how tempting it is to compare yourself to others and think, “Well, they took their physical business online a year ago and they already have 1,000 new customers.” However, do not do so! Just because someone else has a successful online business does not guarantee that you will as well. You must put in the effort and give it time to mature.

It is vital not to become discouraged. If you’re just starting out, it will take some time before you see the results from your efforts. You must be patient and persevere!

Conclusion

The internet has altered how we live and conduct business. It is no longer sufficient to simply have a physical location in this day and age. You must also have an online presence.

There are numerous advantages of taking your physical business online. One of the primary benefits is that more people will be able to find your products and services. This means that more customers will visit your store and purchase from you, which means more money for you!

Subscribe To Our Newsletter

Get updates and learn from the best

Share This Post

Do you want more Sales & Qualified Leads?

Hey, I’m Sunday Samuel. At Dgazelle our core focus is to help individuals and business owners grow thier business predictably & profitably. My only question is, will it be yours?

About Dgazelle

We are a full service Digital marketing, Tech & Ai Solutions Company that is registered in Nigeria and the United States. Our story originates from our experience in advertising, marketing, technology and design. Our work is inspired by art, passion, and one simple principle – To consistently deliver excellence to every individual or business we serve

More To Explore

Struggling with Sponsored Ads? Here’s What’s Going Wrong (And How to Fix It Fast)
Uncategorized

Struggling with Sponsored Ads? Here’s What’s Going Wrong (And How to Fix It Fast)

Are you pouring money into sponsored ads but seeing little to no return? You’re not alone. Many Nigerian business owners face the same frustration: sponsored ads that drain budgets without delivering leads or sales. The good news? Most ad struggles come down to a handful of common mistakes that you can fix quickly with the right approach. Let’s break down why your sponsored ads might be underperforming, the most frequent errors Nigerian businesses make, and proven strategies to turn things around fast. Plus, discover how Dgazelle Digital can help you attract, engage, and monetize your ideal customers predictably and profitably. Why Sponsored Ads Fail for Nigerian Businesses Sponsored ads, whether on Google, Facebook, or Instagram offer powerful ways to reach new customers. But in Nigeria’s competitive digital landscape, simply running ads isn’t enough. Here’s why many campaigns flop: If any of this sounds familiar, you’re in the right place. Let’s dive deeper into the most common mistakes and how to fix them. The Most Common Sponsored Ad Mistakes (And How to Fix Them) 1. Targeting the Wrong Audience Many Nigerian businesses use broad or irrelevant targeting, hoping to reach “everyone.” This approach leads to wasted impressions and poor conversion rates. The Fix: 2. Weak or Generic Creative Stock images, bland headlines, and unclear calls-to-action (CTAs) won’t cut through the noise, especially in Nigeria’s vibrant market The Fix: Dgazelle Digital is here to help you attract, engage, and monetize your ideal customers, predictably and profitably. Ready to grow? Let’s build a campaign that actually delivers results. 3. Ignoring Local Context and Language Ads that feel foreign or out-of-touch won’t resonate. Nigerian consumers respond best to brands that get them. The Fix: 4. Sending Traffic to Poor Landing Pages Even the best ad will flop if it leads to a slow, confusing, or irrelevant landing page. The Fix: 5. Neglecting Data and Optimization Too many businesses set and forget their ads, missing out on valuable insights. The Fix: Proven Strategies to Boost Your Sponsored Ad ROI Start with Smart Keyword Research Craft High-Quality, SEO-Optimized Content Leverage Local SEO Dgazelle Digital is here to help you attract, engage, and monetize your ideal customers, predictably and profitably. Ready to grow? Let’s build a campaign that actually delivers results. Retarget and Nurture Your Leads Why Nigerian Businesses Trust Dgazelle Digital If all this sounds overwhelming, you’re not alone. Many business owners struggle to keep up with the fast-changing world of digital marketing and sponsored ads. That’s where Dgazelle Digital comes in. What Makes Dgazelle Digital Different? Ready to Fix Your Sponsored Ads? Here’s Your Next Step If you’re tired of wasting money on ads that don’t deliver, it’s time to take action: Frequently Asked Questions Q: How much should I budget for sponsored ads in Nigeria?A: Start small (₦10,000–₦50,000/month) and scale up as you see results. Focus on optimizing your campaigns for the best ROI. Q: Which platforms work best for Nigerian businesses?A: Facebook, Instagram, and Google Ads are the most popular. The best choice depends on your target audience and business goals. Q: Can Dgazelle Digital manage my ads for me?A: Absolutely! We offer full-service digital marketing, including ad management, web design, and business consultation tailored to Nigerian businesses. Conclusion Sponsored ads can be a game-changer for Nigerian businesses, but only if you avoid common pitfalls and focus on what works. By targeting the right audience, using compelling creative, and optimizing every step of your funnel, you’ll see better results fast. Don’t let another naira go to waste. Partner with Dgazelle Digital and watch your business grow. Contact Dgazelle Digital today and let’s turn your ad spend into real, measurable growth.

Do You Want To Boost Your Business?

drop us a line and keep in touch