E-Commerce in 2024: Launching Your Online Store Like a Pro—What Works Now
Launching an e-commerce store in 2024 is both exciting and challenging. The world of online retail is constantly evolving, and staying ahead means utilizing the right tools, platforms, and strategies. As I’m currently working on launching my boyfriend’s e-commerce shop for his 3D-printed goods, I’ve spent a lot of time researching the best practices that not only make the launch smoother but also help create a strong foundation for long-term success.
If you're thinking about starting your own online store, this blog will walk you through what works in 2024, from choosing the right platform to integrating essential sales channels like TikTok Shop, Etsy, and Instagram Shop. Whether you're launching for the first time or revamping an existing site, these best practices will set you up for success.
1. Choosing the Right Platform: Shopify vs. Squarespace
The first step in launching your e-commerce store is choosing the right platform, and for 2024, Shopify and Squarespace remain two of the most popular options. Both platforms are beginner-friendly and powerful enough to grow with your business.
Shopify:
If you’re looking for a platform that is built specifically for e-commerce, Shopify is hands down the top choice. Here’s why:
- Ease of Use: Shopify offers an intuitive, user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate, even if you’re not tech-savvy.
- Extensive App Ecosystem: Shopify has an app for nearly every function, from email marketing automation to inventory management and shipping.
- SEO-Friendly: Shopify is built with SEO best practices in mind, making it easier to optimize your store for search engines.
- Scalability: Whether you’re just starting or already generating six figures in revenue, Shopify can scale with you, offering advanced features as your store grows.
I’ve chosen Shopify for my boyfriend’s 3D-printed goods store because of its flexibility and the ability to integrate multiple sales channels effortlessly (more on that later).
Squarespace:
For those who need a website that balances e-commerce with content creation (like a blog or portfolio), Squarespace is an excellent choice. It’s ideal for businesses that want a beautiful, all-in-one solution.
- Design Flexibility: Squarespace is known for its stunning, customizable templates. If aesthetics are key, it’s a strong contender.
- All-in-One Platform: With built-in blogging, SEO tools, and e-commerce capabilities, Squarespace is perfect for creators or small businesses that need an all-purpose site.
While Squarespace offers great design flexibility, Shopify edges out for dedicated e-commerce businesses because of its range of integrations and advanced sales features.
2. Integrating Key Sales Channels: TikTok Shop, Etsy, and Instagram Shop
In 2024, it’s all about selling where your audience already hangs out. With attention spans shrinking and consumers making impulse purchases directly from social platforms, integrating multiple sales channels is key to increasing your revenue.
TikTok Shop:
TikTok’s meteoric rise makes it an essential channel for e-commerce in 2024. With TikTok Shop, users can buy directly from your videos, creating a seamless purchasing experience.
- Why It Works: Gen Z and Millennials are heavy TikTok users, and TikTok Shop allows you to reach them with engaging, short-form content. The direct shopping feature helps drive impulse purchases, especially when your product videos go viral.
- Tip: Use TikTok’s Shop Now features in videos and run ads with user-generated content (UGC) to increase conversions. Show your products in action—this works particularly well for unique, visually engaging products like 3D-printed goods.
Etsy:
For businesses that specialize in handcrafted, custom, or niche products, Etsy remains a strong player.
- Why It Works: Etsy already has an established customer base of people looking for unique, handmade, or artisanal goods. Listing your products on Etsy opens you up to an audience that is already browsing with the intention to buy.
- Tip: Use Etsy to diversify your sales channels while driving traffic to your main Shopify store. For example, offer exclusive items or limited-edition collections on Etsy to entice customers to explore your full product range.
Instagram Shop:
Instagram continues to be one of the top platforms for visual inspiration and discovery shopping.
- Why It Works: With Instagram Shop, customers can browse and purchase directly from your feed. If you have a highly visual product (like fashion, home goods, or 3D-printed designs), Instagram is perfect for showcasing your products in a lifestyle setting.
- Tip: Use Instagram’s shoppable posts and stories to drive sales. Pair this with influencer collaborations or user-generated content to build social proof. Create a consistent posting schedule with aesthetic visuals that tell the story of your brand, while seamlessly tagging products for purchase.
3. Best Practices for a Smooth E-Commerce Launch
Now that we’ve covered platforms and sales channels, let’s dive into some **best practices** that ensure a smooth and successful e-commerce launch in 2024.
Optimize for Mobile
With the majority of online shopping happening on mobile devices, ensuring that your website is **mobile-friendly** is non-negotiable. Both Shopify and Squarespace offer mobile-responsive templates, but it’s still important to double-check how your product pages, checkout process, and images render on mobile.
SEO from Day One
One mistake many new store owners make is neglecting SEO early on. Optimizing your product descriptions, category pages, and blog content with relevant keywords will help your store get found on search engines. Don’t forget to optimize for local SEO if your business also has a physical location or offers local pickup.
Simplify the Checkout Process
Cart abandonment is a common issue for e-commerce stores. To avoid this, keep your checkout process simple and streamlined. Ensure that customers can easily add products to their cart, check out with minimal clicks, and pay with their preferred method (whether it’s PayPal, Apple Pay, or credit card).
Focus on High-Quality Product Images and Videos
Visuals sell. Invest in high-quality product photography and videos that show your products in use. In 2024, video content is especially important, as it can significantly increase conversions, particularly on social media channels like TikTok and Instagram.
Build Hype Before You Launch
Whether it’s through email marketing, social media, or a “coming soon” page, start building hype before your official launch. Offer exclusive previews, early-bird discounts, or giveaways to create buzz around your store. This can generate excitement and lead to a more successful launch day.
4. Post-Launch Strategy: Building Long-Term Success
After launching, the real work begins—sustaining momentum and growing your e-commerce business.
Email Marketing
Once your store is live, build an email list and start nurturing those relationships. Send out regular newsletters, product updates, and personalized offers. Email marketing remains one of the most effective ways to drive repeat purchases and maintain customer loyalty.
Retargeting Ads
In 2024, retargeting ads are critical to recovering lost sales. Use platforms like Facebook and Google Ads to retarget customers who visited your site but didn’t make a purchase. Show them the products they viewed or offer them a discount to incentivize the purchase.
Customer Reviews and UGC
Encourage customers to leave reviews and post their own photos or videos using your products. User-generated content (UGC) adds social proof and can significantly influence buying decisions. Highlight these reviews and UGC on your website and social media channels to build trust with new visitors.
Final Thoughts: Launch Your E-Commerce Store Like a Pro
Launching an e-commerce store in 2024 may seem overwhelming, but with the right tools, platforms, and strategies, you can set yourself up for success. By choosing platforms like Shopify or Squarespace, integrating essential sales channels like TikTok Shop, Etsy, and Instagram Shop, and following these best practices, you can build a strong foundation for your online business.
And if you need help navigating the complexities of launching your store or growing your brand, Golden Hour Co. Digital Agency is here to help. From strategy and design to digital marketing and SEO, we specialize in helping e-commerce businesses launch successfully and scale rapidly. Get in touch by emailing danielle@goldenhourcodigital.com.
