How to: Set Up an Online Store
Want to reach new audiences while promoting your brick and mortar business to existing customers? Consider eCommerce! Setting up an online store and selling your products online has never been easier (and more essential than ever) in 2020. Plus, it allows you to be open 24/7!
To set up an online store quickly and easily you’ll need:
An eCommerce platform
A plan for fulfillment and/or shipping
A list of inventory + prices
Pictures of your products
Descriptions of your products
What Platform is right for me?
Square
If you’re already using Square to process payments at your business, transitioning to an online store is easy! Square is a hybrid offline and online commerce service allowing for maximum sales flexibility. Square also offers a free card reader to process payments through your smartphone — making it easy to use on the go if your business vends at events.
No monthly subscription cost
Square’s standard processing fee is 2.6% + 10¢ for contactless payments, swiped or inserted chip cards, and swiped magstripe cards. Payments that are manually keyed-in have a 3.5% + 15¢ fee.
By default, your sales are transferred within 1-2 business days using our next business day transfer schedule.
Shopify
Shopify allows you to create an online store with a drag and drop website builder, manage your inventory, and track sales all in one place. Already have a website? Links to a Shopify store can easily be embedded on a business website, in an email, or on social media (like Facebook!).
Shopify is exclusively an online POS system, meaning you must be connected to the internet to make a sale.
Monthly subscription $29/mo,
Shopify’s standard processing fee is 2.7% + 30¢ for online credit card purchases with the basic plan,
Currently offering a 90 day free trial
Do your customers typically engage with your business on Facebook? If so, consider selling your products right from the platform’s online marketplace!
No monthly subscription fee
Standard processing fee of 5% per online credit card transaction
Credit: Buildthis.io
To create a shop on your Facebook Page:
On a computer, click the Shop tab on your Facebook Page. If you don't see this tab, you can change your Page template to the Shopping template.
Click Go to Commerce Manager. You'll be redirected to a Sell on Facebook page in Commerce Manager. This is our commerce order management tool.
In Commerce Manager, you'll complete a few steps to get set up. You'll be prompted to link business accounts, set shipping and return preferences and set up your payouts.
Once your Facebook Page shop is set up, your next step is to create a catalog of your products.
After you get set up with your Facebook Page shop, you can use Commerce Manager to manage sales across Facebook and Instagram. Products from your shop may appear in Marketplace if they're eligible.
New to commerce on Facebook? Check out this Facebook Blueprint guide for commerce.