Imagine being able to pray on time, work wearing your hijab, take your mother to Mecca, and save for your Hijra 😍
In 2024, you have a golden opportunity with e-commerce, since you can work from home and make a lot of money!
I've launched all kinds of businesses: ebooks, Abbaya, jewelry, books, online courses, templates… Today, I'm going to share my 10 tips for launching your online business.
1. Work on your mindset 🧠
If you think you can't do it, you won't. You must place your trust in Allah and keep moving forward even when you face setbacks. On Instagram, people only see the good sides, but entrepreneurship is very difficult. Listen to podcasts, read books, attend masterclasses, and network; you really need a steely mindset to succeed.
2. Find the right product idea 💡
Don't worry, my girl boss, you don't have to reinvent the wheel to succeed. Take an idea that already works and make some changes. These days, everyone is selling Dubai abayas or custom rugs, but no one stands out, and that's why they don't succeed. For example, for my first business, I sold ebooks. Everyone was selling iBooks, but how did I differentiate myself? By selling iBooks specifically for Muslim women.
3. Define your persona 🔍
Your ideal customer is your persona. Many people like Garbo launch their own businesses and tell me, "Aline, I want to sell to everyone," but trying to please everyone means trying to please no one. You need a niche, a very specific target audience, to succeed. Your target audience must be profitable; not too broad, not too narrow. On the internet, people will tell you that to find your ideal customer, you need to know their age, gender, and where they live. That's absolutely FALSE!!!!
4. Create a strong brand image 💪
Launching a brand isn't just about creating a free logo on Canva. You really need to stand out from the competition and get noticed on social media through your branding. Creating a logo is good, but you also need a brand voice, a visual identity, and a style guide.
5. Find the right suppliers
Today, there are plenty of options: Alibaba, AliExpress, Turkey, Dubai… It all depends on what you prefer. You absolutely must negotiate prices with suppliers because they'll want to charge you more. Always ask to test your product before buying in bulk and try out several suppliers before making your choice. For me, this is the most important step, because you'll be working with your suppliers long-term, so don't be impatient and take your time.
6. Declare yourself 📝
Personally, I hate paperwork, so I delegated everything today. You can find many apps that handle your self-employed declaration and obtain your SIRET number, such as Shine.com.
7. Get started on social media 📲
Personally, I recommend starting with TikTok and Instagram. Especially since it's easier to break through and make sales on Instagram in 2024. To succeed on TikTok, I suggest creating carousels, posting creative videos, and doing live streams…
At first, I advise you to use UGC creators rather than influencers; it's much more profitable and works better.
8. Create your website 🛜
Personally, I recommend Shopify because it's very simple and easy to use. Plus, the first three months are only €1, so that gives you time to test the app. There are tons of tutorials online for creating your website in minutes, but don't forget to optimize it. That's what will help you make sales. If your website is too complicated and not user-friendly, people won't buy it, even if you have the best product in the world.
9. Ship your packages 📦
Many people neglect their packaging, but it's incredibly important because it's part of the customer experience. For example, I once turned down a €400 partnership because there was no thank-you card or packaging. I figured I might as well go to the market. In that situation, you really need to create an unforgettable experience for your client, to make it memorable.
Don't forget to include a small thank you card, it's always appreciated.
10. Make your first sales 💸
That's it, you've finally made your first sales. Congratulations! Now the goal is to grow and build a repeat customer base. To achieve this, don't neglect your newsletter in your business.
🚨By the way, I'm preparing an e-commerce Bootcamp launching in May, so if you want to launch your online business and get results, join the waiting list:
https://alhinek.podia.com/bootcamp