How to create an online store in Costa Rica?

It is increasingly necessary to have virtual means of selling products and services, as it is more difficult for people to have time and ability to travel to physical stores, this has made the new opportunity for growth is in online business.

We must be clear that selling online is not the same as in physical stores and that we will need to resort to defined marketing strategies that adapt to our type of business, our clientele sector and the objectives that we decide for our online store.

First steps: basic concepts.

Before starting with your e-commerce, you should know some basic concepts that we will detail below.

Ecommerce: this is the English word for e-commerce, which basically means that economic sales transactions take place virtually and not in physical stores as in the past. To develop them there are different types of platforms, each of which has its own characteristics, requirements and limitations.

Payment gateway: This refers to the payment methods that are accepted by an online store, being an indispensable requirement for online sales. There are simpler and easier methods to install on your site such as Paypal, but the users' favorite is usually the bank integration, which allows you to enter your credit or debit card to make the purchase.

Product catalog: Refers to the merchandise sold on your page, these usually contain its name, an identification code or SKU, a description, dimensions and weights, photographs and variations, such as color changes, size and others.

Digital marketing: Refers to specific marketing strategies in digital media such as social networks, websites, mass emailing, search engines and others. These media are the most effective in attracting your target audience to your online store.

An online store works if it has a strategy

It is important that you not only consider the technical aspects of your ecommerce, but that you understand that selling products does not only depend on having a working page, but that it must comply with several aspects.

Your site should be user-friendly: This means that it should be logical and easy for the user to navigate. This is a very common flaw, as many business owners assume that their customers understand how the company organizes products internally. Ensuring that it works correctly, does not induce errors and that the buying process is easy and straightforward will improve the likelihood of selling.

You must understand the digital business model: Unlike a physical store where your salesperson can accompany the buyer in the process and clarify their doubts, in digital stores you need to have the content spoken by your brand, and an online customer service that attends quickly and effectively.

 Invest in digital advertising: people will not arrive just because your website exists, just as they will not come to your physical business just for opening it. It is important to invest in digital ads, either on social media platforms or search engines, according to your budget, type of products and audience. These campaigns should have clear objectives that allow you to set goals for conversions and sales on your page.

Keep abreast of the competition: If you have decided to have an ecommerce in Costa Rica, you should know that many businesses already have this medium, and therefore, you should analyze your competition and be aware of their prices, promotions, strategies and way of presenting products. This will keep you competitive.

How to create an ecommerce?

We know you are considering this option for your business, and you may be wondering how to get started and how to choose among the multiple platforms available.

Our professional advice is not to rely on sites that have many more limitations than benefits, as many platforms are sold as a solution for people who have no knowledge in web development, but will never give you the presence, optimization and customization of a professional site.

Contrary to what you may think, setting up an ecommerce can be cheaper than you think and generate even greater benefits than a physical store. With our support, we assure you that you will not only be able to generate a customized page, but we also offer you support in sales strategies in all available digital media, to optimize your digital marketing strategy.

Contact us and find out how we can help you.