Redesigning for Independence: Home Upgrades That Empower
However, we want to assure you that however you might be feeling, your dreams of running a successful business are very much within reach. The world of e-commerce, which has become an increasingly popular method of shopping for consumers, presents people with disabilities with unparalleled means of accessing and marketing to their audience.
In this article, we’ll show you how you can leverage e-commerce platforms to launch your dream business and gain financial freedom through accessible marketplaces.
Launching Your Online Business
If you’re looking to start an online business through a platform like Etsy, there’s a little bit of setup you’ll need to do to build yourself a foundation for success. Follow these steps to get started:
- Set up a workshop: Whether you’re creating a product by hand or designing a product with modeling software, you’ll need a space in your home that has all the equipment needed. You can also personalize your home office with accessible features that will provide support as you work, like handrails, adjustable height desks and chairs, and sound masking devices.
- Address legal requirements: The process for registering your business will likely differ based on location and what kinds of products you’re making. Conducting some research on what may be required, and then filing the proper paperwork, will establish the legal foundation needed to act as a corporate entity.
- Create an Etsy store: This is a several-step process. You’ll need to sign up as a seller and create a profile for your business that includes your organization’s name and details. Then you’ll need to set up your billing details for customer transactions and pay any required fees, and add two-factor authentication to ensure security. Finally, you’ll have the option to customize the look of your storefront, the products available, and your store’s description.
As an entrepreneur, you know that the thing that truly differentiates small businesses from big-box competitors is good service: or put another way, a personal touch. If you’re looking to leverage your online business as a side hustle for your main career, that’s one thing; but if you’re looking to scale your business into a bonafide brand, rapid delivery, high-quality product, and personalized customer service are all musts.
Setting a Foundation for Growth
Once you’ve set up your Etsy store, you’ll likely wonder how to take your success to the next level. Setting a foundation for ongoing growth requires you to understand how Etsy customers find your page, and optimize your listings accordingly.
Etsy customers typically find your storefront either through searches, or direct referrals. Optimizing your storefront by choosing to incorporate search-intent keywords, high-quality product photos, and competitive market prices for your goods will help you show up more often in searches. That then translates to a higher quantity of reviews and direct referrals, allowing you to build a loyal customer base.
Drawing in that loyal customer base is crucial, so consider how you can optimize your listings not only for your ideal audience but for general accessibility. Poor color contrast on your page, a lack of text for image alternatives, and mouse-only navigation design prevent others with disabilities from easily navigating your page, potentially losing you a large swath of customers. Accessibility measures like creating posts that are screen reader accessible, using alt-text for every image, and leveraging high contrast on your site refine the user experience for everyone.
You also need to make sure that your internet is, quite literally, up to speed, if you haven’t already. This is because slow internet can impact your business revenue, by compromising your ability to respond to customer inquiries or access your storefront. Investing in reliable internet ensures that you can make sales quickly and easily.
Once you’ve built that loyal customer base, it’s time to consider how you can grow and expand. Scaling your Etsy business will require you to employ any number of time-tested growth strategies, including:
- Expanding onto other e-commerce platforms;
- Leverage social media marketplaces;
- Collaborating with bloggers and influencers;
- Utilizing print-on-demand options.
Disabilities can feel limiting, but your disability does not have to impact your chances of attaining your goals. Leverage the accessible options around you, and you’ll be able to maintain financial stability, use side hustles to gain extra income, and build a successful business from scratch.
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