<\/p>\n\n\n\n
7 Steps to Start an Online Boutique<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\n\n\n\nStep 1: Research! <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nBefore choosing a boutique name and logo, research your target audience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Define Your Target Customer<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWho are they, what do they value, what do they do in their free time? These are all great questions to ask yourself during this process. Some other things to consider during this initial research process are your online presence and competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
-Where are your target customers’ eyeballs? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
-What websites are they looking at? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
-Where else do they shop? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
-What social channels are they on? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
-What are their shopping struggles? <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Finding the right sizes?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Are they too busy to search for looks, lines, or functions?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Are they price-driven or quality-driven?<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Finding a product 1st and a customer 2nd is a risky way to build a business!\u00a0 If you find a customer in need of a solution, and then you offer the solution – there you will find a sustainable business! This is an interesting way to think about marketing and a way to get a better insight into your customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Who Are Your Competitors?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\nWho are the other players in this game? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Identify these, and you will find opportunities!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Name, Logo and Domains<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nAfter brainstorming and coming up with the perfect name, snag those social handles. You want to make sure your boutique will be easily found online by your customers. Nothing\u2019s worse than finding a business you love but not being able to find them on socials because of different spelling in their handles \u2026 make sure to avoid this issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Business social handles should be: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Short <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Memorable<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Consistent<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Distinguishable<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Easy to spell<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Informative<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n
Be sure to also purchase a domain for your website. There are many websites that you can purchase a domain name from such as GoDaddy<\/a>, IONOS by 1&1<\/a>, BlueHost<\/a>, or even straight through Shopify<\/a>. Each platform may offer different monthly pricing based on availability, so check out different options to see what will be your best bet. Top-level domains or TDL\u2019s are the domain extensions. The most popular ones include .com, .net, .edu, .org and .gov. In a boutique\u2019s case, .com is usually the best way to go as it is the most memorable for customers. A domain\u2019s cost can range from $2 – $50 a year depending on popularity. <\/p>\n\n\n\nTIP<\/strong>: If the domain that you want is already taken, you have the option of contacting the domain owner and negotiating a fair price.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\nOnce you purchase your domain, you will be prompted to complete its registration and verify ownership. These instructions and specific how-tos will be outlined on the platform you choose to purchase the domain from. Additionally, when it\u2019s time to start building that website, freelance designers can be found on websites such as Fiverr<\/a> or Upwork<\/a> and can be hired based on your request and your budget. As we always say here at the Hub, do what you do best and hire out the rest!<\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 3: Legal and Organizational Matters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nProtecting yourself, your assets and your ideas is a very important part of being a business owner. The bigger you get the bigger your problems, but also the more you have to protect. That is why it is so important to start off protecting yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Determine your Business Entity type <\/a>– the entity you choose will determine implications for your business both legally and financially. Getting a small business loan and the amount of taxes you will pay depends on your entity type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"How](\"https:\/\/theboutiquehub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/Add-a-heading-1024x731.png\")
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n2. Licenses<\/a> – The licenses and permits you need from the state, county, or city will depend on your business activities. You can\u2019t legally perform business without the proper licenses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n3. EIN Number – also known as an Employer Identification Number or Tax ID Number, is used to identify a business entity, trust, estate, and various other entity types.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. Sales Tax Permit – necessary for selling online or in-store. This permit allows the seller to collect sales tax. Remember, this tax is not yours! Sales tax is paid to the state quarterly and submitted along with the appropriate state tax forms.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n5. Trademark<\/a> – To keep others from profiting from your work. Trademark your name, logo, and slogan. Do your homework prior to registering your trademark to ensure what is yours is yours and not someone else’s. This protects your business from copycats but also protects you from lawsuits in the future. You can search the USPTO Trademark DataBase here<\/a> to make sure you are not infringing on someone’s trademark. <\/p>\n\n\n\nCreate a unique logo using Canva<\/a> – simple enough anyone can do it.
<\/p>\n\n\n\n6. Copyright<\/a> – Protect your work. This shows proof of ownership and the ability to allow others to use it or not use it. You can Copyright tangible creative work, photos, art, music, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n7. Bookkeeping <\/a>– Keeping up with money coming in and money going out of your business on a weekly basis is important to success. Proper documentation and transaction organization provides clarity in your business. Paying taxes and producing financial documents becomes far easier with a bookkeeping system in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Boutique Hub is not a law firm, nor are we attorneys. The information provided is general legal information and should be taken into consideration when starting a business. If you are unsure of legal matters you should contact a lawyer.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 3: Branding and Surprise\u2026 More Research!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nNow that you have your initial research from step one, your name and logo, and your legal matters out of the way, it\u2019s time to connect the dots and figure out branding elements and create the perception you hope consumers have as they meet you, see your store, and experience your company, product or service.
There are three phases of branding: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\n- Brand Identity –<\/strong> how your brand looks – It is the way that your business becomes recognizable. Everyone recognizes Coca Cola, Nike, and Apple. <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Brand Strategy <\/strong>– describes your mission! This solidifies your purpose, promises and how you can solve your customers’ problems. How do you want the world to see you? <\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Brand Marketing <\/strong>– Remember your customer persona, if you target everyone you attract no one. Brand marketing is basically communication of a brand to customers. <\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Put it all together! Create a company mood board to put all of your efforts into focus, find clarity through your mood board. Include things such as branding elements, graphic design elements, and product types to confirm your brand identity! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Branded packaging can be found on Vista Print<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\nHow to Start a Boutique Handbook<\/a><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\nStep 4: Set Up Your Shopify Account <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nMaking sure you have the right tools to sell online is critical. Shopify is the most robust of all e-commerce platforms for online boutique owners, and very simple to get started with. Start a free trial here<\/a> with Shopify.
Get it right the first time with this Shopify Launch Checklist. <\/a>
Multi-channel retailing is a necessity for most online stores. Here is a list of Sales channels that are compatible with your Shopify site. Reach more customers by coming to them instead of waiting for them to find you!
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- eBay<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Amazon<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Instagram<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Facebook Shop<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Google Shopping<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Buy button<\/a> & checkout links<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Messenger<\/a><\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Pinterest<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
Knowing what you are selling, to whom, at what price, and when it is sold is important for sales forecasting, event planning, and budgeting. In order to have the best data possible, it is important that you enter the following information every time you upload product information. (Hup tip<\/strong> – use the FAVES app<\/a> to make this simple and efficient). Make sure you\u2019re filling out all of the essential product details as you add products including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n- Vendor<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Product type\/classification (example Denim Jeans instead of Bottoms)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cost – Retail prices<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Detailed descriptions (color, style, cut, fabric, etc)<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Date of Order<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Quantity ordered<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Size variants<\/li>\n\n\n\n
- Cancel Date – a date that you expect items to be in your possession<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n
![\"How](\"https:\/\/theboutiquehub.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/12\/faves.jpeg\")
FAVES App<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\nAre you a LIVE seller:<\/em><\/strong> Check out <\/em>CommentSold <\/em><\/a>– <\/em>they are one of our preferred partners who offer a generous Hub member discount for their services. Link CommentSold and Shopify together to have an all-in-one-stop platform. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\nYou can never be too organized when running a business! Remember – knowledge is power, the more you know about your business the better you can run it! Shopify has endless apps and integrations, and if you go on to add a brick and mortar you can use their POS or integrate into many others with even more reporting! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Check out the Boutique Boss Planner as the #1 Retailer Resource on the market. Organize your sales, customers, expenses, inventory, promotions, and more right here<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 5: Wholesale Shopping <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\nLove to shop? You\u2019ll definitely start having fun with this part! There are lots of online wholesale marketplaces such as Hubventory<\/a>, but we suggest attending wholesale apparel markets<\/a> as a way to find and connect with vendors, especially for newbies.<\/p>\n\n\n\nAt markets, you\u2019ll be able to see the quality of the apparel, get inspiration, build relationships with vendors, meet and network with other boutique owners, and also visit the Hub\u2019s showroom for education, support, and swag! Your products are the biggest impression people will correlate with your business, make sure it\u2019s a good one. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when buying wholesale: <\/p>\n\n\n\n
1. Know your customers<\/p>\n\n\n\n
2. Understand all your wholesale buying options (markets, platforms, etc)<\/p>\n\n\n\n
3. Ask about product sizing<\/p>\n\n\n\n
4. What types of pre-packs does the vendor offer<\/p>\n\n\n\n
5. What are the minimum requirements of the vendor<\/p>\n\n\n\n
6. Price for profit<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Before choosing a boutique name and logo, research your target audience. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Define Your Target Customer<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Who are they, what do they value, what do they do in their free time? These are all great questions to ask yourself during this process. Some other things to consider during this initial research process are your online presence and competition. <\/p>\n\n\n\n -Where are your target customers’ eyeballs? <\/p>\n\n\n\n -What websites are they looking at? <\/p>\n\n\n\n -Where else do they shop? <\/p>\n\n\n\n -What social channels are they on? <\/p>\n\n\n\n -What are their shopping struggles? <\/p>\n\n\n\n Finding a product 1st and a customer 2nd is a risky way to build a business!\u00a0 If you find a customer in need of a solution, and then you offer the solution – there you will find a sustainable business! This is an interesting way to think about marketing and a way to get a better insight into your customer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Who Are Your Competitors?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n Who are the other players in this game? What are their strengths and weaknesses? Identify these, and you will find opportunities!<\/p>\n\n\n\n After brainstorming and coming up with the perfect name, snag those social handles. You want to make sure your boutique will be easily found online by your customers. Nothing\u2019s worse than finding a business you love but not being able to find them on socials because of different spelling in their handles \u2026 make sure to avoid this issue. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Business social handles should be: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Be sure to also purchase a domain for your website. There are many websites that you can purchase a domain name from such as GoDaddy<\/a>, IONOS by 1&1<\/a>, BlueHost<\/a>, or even straight through Shopify<\/a>. Each platform may offer different monthly pricing based on availability, so check out different options to see what will be your best bet. Top-level domains or TDL\u2019s are the domain extensions. The most popular ones include .com, .net, .edu, .org and .gov. In a boutique\u2019s case, .com is usually the best way to go as it is the most memorable for customers. A domain\u2019s cost can range from $2 – $50 a year depending on popularity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n TIP<\/strong>: If the domain that you want is already taken, you have the option of contacting the domain owner and negotiating a fair price.<\/em> <\/p>\n\n\n\n Once you purchase your domain, you will be prompted to complete its registration and verify ownership. These instructions and specific how-tos will be outlined on the platform you choose to purchase the domain from. Additionally, when it\u2019s time to start building that website, freelance designers can be found on websites such as Fiverr<\/a> or Upwork<\/a> and can be hired based on your request and your budget. As we always say here at the Hub, do what you do best and hire out the rest!<\/p>\n\n\n\n Protecting yourself, your assets and your ideas is a very important part of being a business owner. The bigger you get the bigger your problems, but also the more you have to protect. That is why it is so important to start off protecting yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Determine your Business Entity type <\/a>– the entity you choose will determine implications for your business both legally and financially. Getting a small business loan and the amount of taxes you will pay depends on your entity type.<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Licenses<\/a> – The licenses and permits you need from the state, county, or city will depend on your business activities. You can\u2019t legally perform business without the proper licenses. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. EIN Number – also known as an Employer Identification Number or Tax ID Number, is used to identify a business entity, trust, estate, and various other entity types.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. Sales Tax Permit – necessary for selling online or in-store. This permit allows the seller to collect sales tax. Remember, this tax is not yours! Sales tax is paid to the state quarterly and submitted along with the appropriate state tax forms.<\/a> <\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. Trademark<\/a> – To keep others from profiting from your work. Trademark your name, logo, and slogan. Do your homework prior to registering your trademark to ensure what is yours is yours and not someone else’s. This protects your business from copycats but also protects you from lawsuits in the future. You can search the USPTO Trademark DataBase here<\/a> to make sure you are not infringing on someone’s trademark. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Create a unique logo using Canva<\/a> – simple enough anyone can do it. 6. Copyright<\/a> – Protect your work. This shows proof of ownership and the ability to allow others to use it or not use it. You can Copyright tangible creative work, photos, art, music, etc. <\/p>\n\n\n\n 7. Bookkeeping <\/a>– Keeping up with money coming in and money going out of your business on a weekly basis is important to success. Proper documentation and transaction organization provides clarity in your business. Paying taxes and producing financial documents becomes far easier with a bookkeeping system in place. <\/p>\n\n\n\n <\/p>\n\n\n\n The Boutique Hub is not a law firm, nor are we attorneys. The information provided is general legal information and should be taken into consideration when starting a business. If you are unsure of legal matters you should contact a lawyer.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n Now that you have your initial research from step one, your name and logo, and your legal matters out of the way, it\u2019s time to connect the dots and figure out branding elements and create the perception you hope consumers have as they meet you, see your store, and experience your company, product or service. Put it all together! Create a company mood board to put all of your efforts into focus, find clarity through your mood board. Include things such as branding elements, graphic design elements, and product types to confirm your brand identity! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Making sure you have the right tools to sell online is critical. Shopify is the most robust of all e-commerce platforms for online boutique owners, and very simple to get started with. Start a free trial here<\/a> with Shopify. Knowing what you are selling, to whom, at what price, and when it is sold is important for sales forecasting, event planning, and budgeting. In order to have the best data possible, it is important that you enter the following information every time you upload product information. (Hup tip<\/strong> – use the FAVES app<\/a> to make this simple and efficient). Make sure you\u2019re filling out all of the essential product details as you add products including:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Are you a LIVE seller:<\/em><\/strong> Check out <\/em>CommentSold <\/em><\/a>– <\/em>they are one of our preferred partners who offer a generous Hub member discount for their services. Link CommentSold and Shopify together to have an all-in-one-stop platform. <\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n You can never be too organized when running a business! Remember – knowledge is power, the more you know about your business the better you can run it! Shopify has endless apps and integrations, and if you go on to add a brick and mortar you can use their POS or integrate into many others with even more reporting! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Check out the Boutique Boss Planner as the #1 Retailer Resource on the market. Organize your sales, customers, expenses, inventory, promotions, and more right here<\/a>! <\/p>\n\n\n\n Love to shop? You\u2019ll definitely start having fun with this part! There are lots of online wholesale marketplaces such as Hubventory<\/a>, but we suggest attending wholesale apparel markets<\/a> as a way to find and connect with vendors, especially for newbies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n At markets, you\u2019ll be able to see the quality of the apparel, get inspiration, build relationships with vendors, meet and network with other boutique owners, and also visit the Hub\u2019s showroom for education, support, and swag! Your products are the biggest impression people will correlate with your business, make sure it\u2019s a good one. Here are a few tips to keep in mind when buying wholesale: <\/p>\n\n\n\n 1. Know your customers<\/p>\n\n\n\n 2. Understand all your wholesale buying options (markets, platforms, etc)<\/p>\n\n\n\n 3. Ask about product sizing<\/p>\n\n\n\n 4. What types of pre-packs does the vendor offer<\/p>\n\n\n\n 5. What are the minimum requirements of the vendor<\/p>\n\n\n\n 6. Price for profit<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Step 2: Name, Logo and Domains<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\n
Step 3: Legal and Organizational Matters<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
<\/p>\n\n\n\nStep 3: Branding and Surprise\u2026 More Research!<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
There are three phases of branding: <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
Branded packaging can be found on Vista Print<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\nStep 4: Set Up Your Shopify Account <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Get it right the first time with this Shopify Launch Checklist. <\/a>
Multi-channel retailing is a necessity for most online stores. Here is a list of Sales channels that are compatible with your Shopify site. Reach more customers by coming to them instead of waiting for them to find you!
<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
\n
Step 5: Wholesale Shopping <\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n