Starting an ecommerce store is exciting, but without a solid foundation, it can quickly become overwhelming. Here are 7 essential steps to ensure your ecommerce store is ready for success from Day 1 in New Zealand.

1. Choose a Business Name & Secure Your Domain

Before you get too far into setting up, choose a business name that resonates with your brand and story. Start by checking One Check to see if the business name, trademark, web domains, and social media handles are available—if not, change the business name you had in mind!
Secure your domain name through a reputable provider like GoDaddy or your website platform (e.g., Shopify). Avoid using free domain services—over time, your domain becomes a valuable asset. Consider purchasing a .com domain for international reach, not just a co.nz domain.
Depending on your legal structure, you may wish to reserve the name with the New Zealand Companies Office. After reserving the name, you have 14 days to finalize your legal structure before the reservation expires.
When selecting a name, think about creating your logo and brand palette using tools like Canva. It doesn't need to be perfect at the start; you can revise & update as you grow. Start with a simple logo, brand palette, and assets to establish a consistent brand identity from the outset.

2. Set Up a Custom Email Address

This might seem small, but having a custom email address is a game-changer. A professional business email, such as yourname@yourbusiness.com, is worth the small investment—often less than $5 per month. This adds credibility to your brand compared to a generic Gmail or Yahoo address.
Set up at least two email accounts: one for yourself and a generic one like info@yourbusiness.com. This way, you can keep customer inquiries organized and separate from your personal inbox.

3. Get Your Email Marketing System in Place

Your Email Direct Marketing (EDM) system is crucial, even before you launch. Depending on the platform you choose, many have built-in free email systems with automated workflows. These are ideal for starting out—you can always switch to custom EDMs like Mailerlite, Mailchimp, or Klaviyo as you grow.
Set up initial email flows that introduce your brand, build excitement, and engage with potential customers. Here are some ideas:

• Welcome new subscriber
• Abandoned cart, checkout, & product browse reminders
• Welcome email series (3-5 emails to tell your brand story—who you are, your values, behind-the-scenes content, links to blogs, free downloads, etc.)

Capturing email addresses is not enough; you need to nurture your subscribers with regular and valuable content. This builds familiarity and trust, so when it’s time for sales emails, they feel like they’re hearing from an old friend.

4. Secure Social Media Accounts Early

Set up accounts on all major social media platforms, even if you don't plan to use them right away. This helps protect your brand name across the internet and boosts your brand legitimacy.
Consumers today often research brands across multiple platforms before making a purchase—seeing that you have a presence on various platforms builds trust. Create consistent profiles on Instagram, Facebook, LinkedIn, TikTok, and Pinterest, even if you don’t plan to be active on all of them immediately.

5. Set Up Payment Providers Ahead of Time

Payment gateways can take some time to process, especially if you're new and need to verify your identity. Apply for popular Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) options like Afterpay Klarna, early, as approvals can take time.
Ensure you have payment methods like credit card payments, PayPal, Stripe, and BNPL options ready before you go live. This allows customers to shop with ease and confidence, helping you capture more sales from Day 1.

6. Streamline Shipping & Delivery

Setting up a business account with a courier service or 3PL provider can streamline your process, and investing in a label printer will save you time and headaches from the beginning.
Automating your shipping labels and connecting them to your website orders provides a seamless experience for customers, making tracking, returns, and handling issues much easier. While it’s fun to add a personal touch with handwritten notes, labels, and spreadsheets—it is unsustainable. Set up systems from the start to provide a seamless, professional shipping experience.

7. Focus on Branding Photography

High-quality branding photography sets professional ecommerce sites apart from amateur ones. If your budget is tight, use your phone and tools like Canva or other AI photo tools to enhance your images. High-quality, correctly sized photos create a cohesive look on your website, social media, and marketing materials.
Remember to use the correct image sizes for different parts of your website, and prioritize mobile-first design, as more purchases are made via mobile than desktop.
Even if you can’t afford a professional photographer yet, focus on consistency. Properly edited and sized images not only look great but also improve your website’s load time and SEO ranking.

Conclusion: Avoid the Newbie Mistakes and Launch Strong

These 7 essential steps are just a starting point, but they can help you launch your ecommerce business with confidence. Building a strong foundation before you go live saves time, money, and stress down the road.

Focus on creating a seamless, professional experience for your customers from the start, and watch your ecommerce business grow!

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