Open a shopping app, click on a product, add it to your cart, check out and make payment, and finally wait for the product to arrive at your doorstep. Given how convenient shopping on the internet has become, it’s no surprise that many Filipinos are shifting to online selling marketplaces and websites to do all their shopping. From groceries to everyday necessities, furniture, household appliances and many more. Online selling businesses are becoming such an everyday common affair, and for good reasons. If you’ve been thinking of starting an online selling business, now is one of the best times to do so. And the good news is, it isn’t difficult, nor does it require you to invest huge capital. You can start an online store with little to no money at all. In this article, we’ll show you how.
Why Start an Online Selling Business
An online selling business offers many advantages and benefits, which is why it has become a popular choice for many Filipinos. For one, it’s a very convenient way to shop. Customers can do it anywhere, anytime, and they don’t even have to leave the comfort of their own homes. Another advantage for online shoppers is that they have a wider range of products to choose from. They’re not limited to the items available in their local store when shopping online.
As an online seller, you can buy in bulk and save on costs, which is perfect if you’re looking to run a reselling business. With the right strategy, you can even save on operating costs if you’re starting small or on a tighter budget. Lastly, online selling businesses are relatively easy to set up today and don’t require a lot of capital. In fact, some of the best apps to make websites are completely free.
What Are the Benefits of Selling Online in the Philippines?
When you compare starting a traditional business to an online selling business, there are ten key advantages you can start to enjoy:
1. Reach a wider audience – By selling online, businesses have the ability to reach a wider audience than they would if they were selling through traditional methods. This is because online marketplaces and websites offer a convenient way for buyers and sellers to connect with each other.
2. Greater exposure – Online marketplaces and websites also attract customers from different locations. This allows businesses to sell to customers they wouldn’t normally have access to.
3. Increased chances of making a sale – Given the wide audience reach and exposure that online marketplaces and websites offer, businesses have a higher chance of making a sale than if they were selling through traditional methods.
4. Low cost of entry – It is generally cheaper to start an online business than to start a traditional one. This is because online businesses do not require as much capital investment as traditional businesses do.
5. Increased flexibility – Online businesses offer greater flexibility than traditional businesses do. This is because online businesses can be run from anywhere in the world without an internet connection. On the other hand, traditional businesses require a physical storefront and employees to run them.
6. Increased profits – With the increased chances of making a sale and the low cost of entry, online businesses have the potential to generate higher profits than traditional businesses do.
7. Scalability – Online businesses can be scaled up more easily than traditional businesses can. This is because online businesses do not require as much physical space or employees to expand their operations. On the other hand, traditional businesses usually require a larger physical space and more employees as they grow.
8. Reduced risk – Online businesses typically have a lower risk profile than traditional businesses do. This is because online businesses do not require as much capital investment and are less likely to be affected by external factors such as the economy or changes in consumer tastes.
9. Access to global markets – Online businesses have the potential to reach buyers in any part of the world. On the other hand, traditional businesses are usually limited to selling in their local market.
10. 24/7 operation – One of the great advantages of online businesses is that they can be operated 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. This is because online businesses do not require physical storefronts or employees to run them. On the other hand, traditional businesses typically only operate during regular business hours.
With so many benefits compared to a traditional business, it is no wonder more Filipinos are giving their entrepreneurial spirit a go. The only thing left for you to do is to start an online store and start this journey for yourself.
And if you’re thinking it’s going to cost an arm and a leg to run such a store, you’ll be pleasantly surprised to learn that there are many free tools and apps you can deploy to get started.
What Are the Most Successful Online Selling Businesses in the Philippines?
You first have to decide what sort of online selling business you want to run. And a good way to get ideas is to look at the successful businesses in the Philippines and uncover what made them succeed.
Many of the most popular online-selling businesses in the Philippines are selling common products such as clothes and fashion accessories, gadgets and electronics, books and media, home and living, food and beverages, and health and beauty products.
These businesses are successful because they offer products that are in demand and not easily available in physical stores since the products are delivered from a central warehouse giving customers more options to choose from. They also usually offer competitive prices and good online customer service, which keeps customers returning. The interesting part is that the majority of the “customer service” can be almost entirely automated.
That said, if you’re thinking of starting an online business, choosing a niche that you’re passionate about or know about is a good idea. This will make it easier for you to stand out from the competition, come up with attractive offers, and succeed.
If you’re brand new to entrepreneurship, then sticking to the basics and selling things Filipinos love buying is always a safe option.
But, before you rush and start an online selling clothes business like every other first-time entrepreneur, why not consider some other popular online products:
- Home appliances
- Kitchen appliances
- Skincare products
- Cosmetics
- Shoes
- Accessories
- Fitness equipment
- Fitness apparel
- Toys
- Home/Office Furniture
- Lights and Fixtures
- Jewelry
- Pet care
And the list goes on. As long as there is some demand for a product, you can start an online selling business catering to that niche.
All you have to do is find a supplier, create an attractive offer, build up your brand, and start reaching out to prospective customers.
Where Can I Sell Things Online in the Philippines?
The good news is that there are many online marketplaces and websites where you can sell things online in the Philippines today. Some of the most popular ones include Shopee, Lazada, OLX, Facebook Marketplace, and Carousell.
These online marketplaces and websites are popular because they offer a convenient way for buyers and sellers to connect with each other. They also usually offer a wide range of products and present competitive prices from different sellers on their e-commerce platform.
If you’re new to an online selling business, choosing an online marketplace or website that is popular in the Philippines with many users is generally better. This will give you a wider audience to sell to and increase your chances of making a sale quickly.
However, your goal isn’t simply to get a sale from these platforms but to build a customer database that you can continue selling to again and again.
A good strategy many online brands adopt is to use these platforms to build a following and encourage them to continue shopping on their brand’s online store. This gives the business better control of the sales process.
How to Create Your Online Store for Free
With the advancement of technology today, there are many online store builders that you can use to create your store. Some of the most popular ones include Shopify, Woocommerce, and Magento. These online store builders offer a wide range of features and templates that you can use to create a professional-looking online store. They also usually have a free trial period, so you can try them out before deciding if you want to purchase a subscription.
If you’re on a tight budget, there are also many free online store builders that you can use to create your store. These free online store builders usually have limited features and templates, but they’re still a good option if you’re just starting out. One such free online store builder is Shopboxo. Not only is this app completely free, but it’s also easy to use, and you can manage your entire website conveniently from your mobile phone.
Once you’ve created your online store, the next step is to start adding products. You can either source products from suppliers or dropship them from online retailers.
If you’re sourcing products from suppliers, it’s important to ensure that they’re reputable and that their products are of good quality. You also need to factor in the cost of shipping and handling when pricing your products.
If you decide to run a dropshipping business, you don’t have to worry about stocking or shipping inventory. Instead, you simply need to list the products in your store and process orders when they come in.
Dropshipping is a great option if you’re just starting out because it’s easy to set up and doesn’t require a lot of upfront investment.
Once you’ve added products to your store, the next step is to start driving traffic to it. You can optimise your store for search engines, use social media to promote your store and run online ads.
If you’re unsure how to get started, there are many online courses and tutorials you can take to learn more about online marketing.
Selling online in the Philippines is a great way to start a business with little to no investment. With a wide range of products available and many potential customers, you can succeed if you put in the effort. Follow the tips above to get started and be on your way to success!
Here are some commonly asked questions about selling online in the Philippines
What is the best product for selling online?
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question, as the best product to sell online depends on your specific niche and target market. However, some of the most popular products to sell online include clothes, jewellery, electronics and cosmetics.
Which online businesses are the most successful?
Ultimately, running an online business and making it successful depends largely on the business owner’s effort. However, when you compare starting an online business to a traditional business, there is generally lesser risk and lower capital outlay required making it easier for new entrepreneurs to succeed.
How do I become an online seller in the Philippines?
To become an online seller in the Philippines, you should first create an online store where you can store and manage a customer database. You can use a variety of free or paid tools to do this. Once your store is up and running, you need to start driving traffic to it by optimising it for search engines, using social media, running online ads, or leveraging on the existing online marketplace. You can also learn more about online marketing by taking courses or tutorials.
