Have you ever dreamed of opening your very own clothing store brimming with chic garments and gorgeous jewelry? Before the arrival of the internet, opening a fashion store required significant planning and investment. Today, however, the rise of ecommerce means many wannabe fashion retailers can start their own businesses at relatively low cost. With the global fashion ecommerce space set to hit 1.2 trillion dollars in 2027, now is a great time to take the plunge and make your mark on the industry.
But where to start? To help you get to grips with the complexities of starting a fashion ecommerce site, we’ve put together a step-by-step guide to key processes and considerations.
1. Do Your Research and Find Your Niche
First things first – who is your target audience, and what needs are you fulfilling? While you may dream of selling hot pink boiler suits, you may struggle to find a market willing to invest in such niche items. Before you start stocking your store, you should establish your brand identity and unique selling points. Potential avenues to explore include (but definitely aren’t limited to):
Custom Clothes
Are you a dab hand at sewing? If so, creating customized garments that suit individual customers’ needs is a great way to drive revenue. People are often willing to pay premium prices for unique pieces that fit perfectly, so a tailoring business could be a lucrative option for fashion lovers who can work a sewing machine. In terms of research, you’ll need to scope out your competition and assess key factors such as pricing and
High-end Luxury Clothes
As more people grow tired of fast fashion and move toward capsule wardrobes, the market for high-end clothes is growing. Creating lines of exclusive, limited-edition garments could be a great option if you’re willing to work hard on concept development and production. Naturally, you’ll need some assistance if you want to scale your business.
Vintage Clothes
Vintage stores are rising in popularity as eco-conscious shoppers switch to second-hand garments. Of course, you’ll still need to offer high-quality pieces that align with the latest trends. If you’d like to add a personalized twist to your vintage pieces, you may want to consider upcycling.
Niche or Targeted Brands
Only interested in shoes or jewelry? Or are you hoping to sell clothes to a specific subculture or niche market? Before you settle on a brand identity, you must scout out the competition and assess whether your ecommerce store would actually meet people’s unmet needs.
Print-on-Demand Clothing
Custom-printed products such as t-shirts and tote bags are a great way to sell bespoke pieces at relatively low cost. You could offer prints of anything from your own artwork to designs from local artists. Just remember to avoid lifting images that you don’t own. You don’t want a lawsuit on your hands!
2. Develop Your Website and Ecommerce Operations
Once you’ve settled on a brand concept, it’s time to develop your website and iron out the operational details. Developing a website is tricky, so we recommend sourcing professional help if you want to build a scalable, professional-looking site. However, store owners with small budgets may wish to consider building their business on a platform like Shopify or Etsy. Key factors to consider when making a website include:
Does your domain name reflect your brand identity? Is it easy to remember?
Have you developed a strong visual identity (including logos, fonts, color schemes etc.)?
How will customers pay? Will you accept PayPal, Google Pay, Apple Pay etc.?
How will customers find assistance if they have any problems? Will you implement a chatbot?
How will you ensure you comply with any legal requirements surrounding data privacy, terms of service, refund policies etc.?
3. Source Your Inventory
Your inventory-sourcing methods will depend on the type of clothing you’re planning to sell. If you’re a crafty person hoping to sell your own creations, you’ll need to invest in materials and carve out enough time to sew or knit pieces for your inventory. Store owners hoping to sell luxury clothes will likely need to source high-quality materials that justify their higher prices. However, you may be able to cut some deals with suppliers if you’re lucky and persistent.
If you’re looking to sell elegant vintage pieces, you’ll need to curate an attractive line of second-hand clothes from respectable thrift stores and vintage wholesalers. Remember to search for ‘special finds’ that will align with current trends and will speak to the needs of your core demographic.
If you’re planning to work with other kinds of suppliers – from independent designers to well-established manufacturers – its worth spending time chatting about your respective aims and goals. Running a successful ecommerce business is all about selling clothes you really believe in.
4. Partner With a High-Quality 3PL
A third-party logistics (3PL) provider will cover all the logistical aspects of shipping and handling your items. As well as working with couriers and shippers to ensure your garments reach their destination on time, a 3PL will manage order picking and packing, supply chain monitoring, providing order status updates, managing inventory, handling returns, and much more.
5. Develop a Marketing and Sales Strategy
You won’t sell clothes unless people know about them! A robust marketing strategy will help people get to know your brand and overall purpose. Developing the right marketing strategy for you will depend on your budget and market niche. However, you may want to consider one or more of the following options:
– Affiliate marketing allows affiliates to promote your content using promo codes and tracking links.
– Social media posts and features, including Instagram Shopping and Facebook Marketplace.
– Influencer marketing involving YouTubers or celebrities.
– Email marketing containing offers and promotions.
– Content marketing, including style blogs and trend reports.
Searching for the Perfect 3PL Provider? Snapl is Here to Help!
Determined to set up your own ecommerce clothing store? You’re on the road to an exciting and fulfilling venture. However, you can’t do it alone. Snapl is here to provide unbeatable 3PL services in New Jersey.
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