words Al Woods
Everyone owns at least one t-shirt. It is the most popular garment worldwide and can be paired with anything. If you’re thinking of starting an online business, this is a viable, low-cost option. You can quickly get started and earn without a large investment. Here’s how to start an online t-shirt business.
How to Start an Online T-shirt Business (Image Credit Pexels)
Pick a Niche
A niche is a specific audience that you’re targeting with your merchandise. You may decide to focus on a specific age group, activity or interest. Because t-shirts are popular and can be worn by many different people, it’s a good idea to pick a niche that you’re passionate about. For example, if you’re a huge comic fan, target that interest. Customizing or printing your shirts with images from pop culture can attract a larger audience.
Also, get to learn what your target audience prefers. For instance, if you want to sell next level t-shirts, who are more likely to buy your products? Is it the teenager passionate about video games, someone in their 20s looking for a way to express themselves, or older adults? Take time to research and test the market to know who your customers are.
Source for T-Shirts
Pick a supplier that offers quality merchandise at a reasonable price. Ensure the quality is on point, start small, and work your way up as needed. Some things to check for include:
- The weight and feel of the fabric
- Color choices
- How the shirt fits
- The printing quality
- Turnaround time
- Customer service
You can find suppliers online or work with a local vendor. It’s best to work with someone who specializes in this industry. They will give you advice on different t-shirts printing options and offer order fulfillment services to save time and money. Go for one that offers services to small businesses to get the best deals and faster processes.
Create an Online Store
Now that you have a niche and t-shirts, create a store. Use an eCommerce platform to design your store and set up the checkout process. You don’t need any technical skills to do this. Make it easy for customers to place orders and communicate with you if they have inquiries.
The last thing you want is to lose a customer because they couldn’t understand the checkout process or found it too complicated. Pay attention to the user experience and design a beautiful store that is easy to navigate.
Outsource Your Order Processing Services
If your store is growing, it’s important to outsource your order processing services. This will give you a chance to focus on building the business and leave fulfillment to a third-party company. While it may sound like an additional cost, it’s a great way to save time and money in the long run. So before you jump into selling, learn more about this service and ensure it will fit your needs. Look for a company that offers reasonable pricing guides, same-day shipping, inventory management, and quality assurance services.
Market Your Store
Marketing your online store is one of the most important steps to increasing sales. Spend time and money on marketing so that your target audience finds you. Marketing strategies to try include:
- Social media
- Email marketing
- Search engine optimization (SEO)
- Pay per click (PPC)
- Word of mouth marketing
Use a combination of these to reach as many people as possible. For example, use Facebook ads to drive traffic to your store and SEO to rank better in search engines.
Work on Keeping Customers Happy
Happy customers translate to repeat sales. Work on building a relationship with your customers so that they come back and recommend you to their circles. Create surveys and customer support systems to gather feedback on your store and the merchandise. Use this information to improve your business to continue growing.
Adjust the Strategy for Better Results
Starting an online t-shirt business is a great way to earn extra money. All you need is a niche, quality t-shirts, and an online store. Once you get started, work on marketing your store to attract more customers and boost sales. Keep adjusting the marketing strategy until you find something that works for you.
