5 Tips for Setting up a Green Business Online

Making the move from a brick and mortar retail setting to an ecommerce website is already a great way to save fuel, utilities, and paper.

However, it comes with its own unique challenges.

Whether you already have an established brand or are just starting out with a new green-friendly business, you’ll need to think about how to create a memorable web presence to suit your customer needs.

1. Create a Mission Statement

To get started, you’ll want to take the time to think about what owning a green business really means and what you can do to make a difference.

Forging a strong brand identity will include creating a mission statement to share with your customers. This will help you stay true to your ideals as you build your business, whether you sell books about the environment, fair trade linens, or recycled home items.

Let your customers know why your store is a better choice than other options out there, and what you have to offer. This will also help you with your marketing endeavours down the road.

2. Identify your Target Demographic

Before you start actually designing your new green-friendly website, you’ll want to think about who your customer is and keep them in mind every step of the way.

Will your customers vary in age or fit into a youthful demographic? Will you mainly target local customers or will you ship internationally? What type of budget will your audience have when shopping? These are a few questions to ask yourself to start planning your business.

3. Create an Image-Heavy Design

Although you may have a lot to say about your products, you’ll need to keep your website as user-friendly as possible using the right ecommerce solution.

This usually means creating logical categories of products so that your audience can easily browse through your online shop. It also means utilizing eye-catching images whenever possible.

Take multiple photos of your products, along with photos of your business team and any communities you may be benefiting. Natural photos will drive home the point that your business is environmentally-friendly.

4. Create Special Product Categories

Some of your customers will arrive at your website knowing exactly what they want, but others may have arrived by chance and will simply want to poke around.

Creating special categories of products will lure in these casual consumers. This could include a category for gift ideas, particularly around the holidays, as well as an area for your sales or promotional offers.

5. Keep a Company Blog

One of the benefits of running a socially and environmentally conscious business is that you have the chance to communicate with a wide audience. You can promote your brand while also sharing thoughts, news, and other items of interest by keeping a blog.

Opening up your blog to reader comments allows you to engage in discussions with your customers, taking on board their suggestions and gaining inspiration to make your business even better.

Running an online business is often more economical and better for the environment. By keeping these tips in mind, you can help reach out to your audience and grow your brand naturally and productively.