Category: Thrifty Business Tips

Having a great product to sell is awesome, but selling it can be frustrating. You have to rent a space, buy the furniture for the store, and hire staff to help you manage the store.

That already sounds exhausting! But what would you say if you could do it all today without all those extra logistics?

Well, it’s possible! With the technology available today you can get started now. Open your own online boutique today with the tips fleshed out below.

Choose Your Products

To get on track to open your own online boutique today you need to start deciding what products you want to sell. Find products that people are looking for or are on trend. Try to cater to a specific niche with your products.

After you find these products, take amazing pictures of them. Find a white background and bright lighting to ensure high-quality pictures. If possible, try to record some video of your products as well.

When you are done taking pictures of your products, start writing up your product descriptions. Include measurements and special features. If it is relevant, include the materials your products are made of.

Get Your Finances in Check

You need to map out your budget before you open your online boutique today. Decide how much you will spend on getting your products, setting up your website, and shipping costs.

Make sure you know what bills you will need to spend and what days you will need to pay them. Understand that if you have a website, you will need to pay to maintain it and to update it regularly.

Getting the word out about your online boutique will be crucial to the business. Decide up front if you will be paying for marketing to be done or if you will be doing it yourself.

Set up Your Website

The next step to open your online boutique today is setting up your website. Make sure that your site design is organized and easy to navigate, as this aspect will help customers decide your credibility.

Since people will be purchasing products on your site, you’ll want to make sure it’s secure. Update your website regularly to ensure that it stays secure. And work on getting your site SSL certified.

Purchase your domain name and create one that is relevant to your boutique. This is what customers will be looking for on the web. Before you launch your site, test it. Make sure all of the pages load effectively. If your website takes too long to load it may cause customers to navigate away from it.

If you’re not sure what design would be best for your online boutique, look at other online stores. Note what you like and don’t like about the sites of other businesses and use them as inspiration for your own. Yizzam is a creative online website for buying t-shirts and is a great example to look at. Check it out here for more info.

Get on Social Media

To help extend your reach, meet your customers on social media. Ask potential customers what social media platforms they are on.

Then start creating accounts on those platforms. You won’t need to be on every platform, just the ones that matter.

Create relevant content that includes the products that will make users want to see you on their timelines. Post on social media weekly to keep up with trends.

Make sure your social media accounts look the same as your website. All pictures and posts should have the same branding as your website. This will increase brand recognition.

Organize Your Checkout

Since you will be selling things in your online boutique you’ll want to create an efficient checkout process.

Give the option for users to check out as a guest with just their email. Having users create an account can be pushy and may deter them from making a purchase. Simply getting their email will still help with marketing tactics later on.

If you want to start out simple and don’t want to spend time making a whole checkout process now, consider using Google Checkout or PayPal for your business. As these can be easier alternatives.

Set up Stores on Other Sites

After creating a website for your online boutique, start setting up smaller stores on other sites. This can help extend the reach of your products even further.

There are many users on online marketplaces such as Amazon, eBay, and Etsy. Create an account on these and put a few of your products for sale. In the bio of your account direct them to your website.

These smaller stores will help you channel more users to your website and start building brand loyalty right away.

Learn About Your Customers

It’s important that you continue to learn about your customers. Use Google analytics for your website to help you understand how customers are interacting with it. Try changing some of your tactics based on how your customers behave and see if your site improves.

Take a look at your social media accounts and the analytics behind it. This will help you create an effective strategy for what you post and when.

Organize monthly checks of the analytics to observe how your online boutique is growing or suffering.

Start a Blog After You Open Your Own Online Boutique Today

After more of the pressing setup is completed, dedicate one page of your online boutique website to a blog. This will help increase your website’s search engine optimization gradually.

Start writing articles on topics that people are looking for. Choose a few relevant keywords and incorporate them into your content.

By optimizing your site for search engines, you’ll help put your site on the radar of customers and increase your traffic.

By creating a blog, you’ll also be helping your customers with problems they have. Thus adding value to their lives. This can also help your boutique’s credibility.

Optimize for Mobile

Currently, about 1.6 billion people use their mobile devices to shop online globally. Being able to access your website through smartphones is a must. If you’re going to open your own online boutique today, it needs to be accessible by mobile.

When creating your website, test its accessibility on your phone first before launching it. If you are using a site like WordPress or Wix, select their options for optimizing mobile.

More Business Tips

So there you have it! You’re ready to start building your online boutique store. Don’t stop here though. Keep researching best practices and other technology that can help.

Being a part of the e-commerce world means constantly improving and growing. For more tips on how to start your own thrifty businesses check out our page.

Are you an avid camper and outdoors enthusiast that is tired of the corporate world?

In 2017, there is more opportunity than ever in the camping industry, especially in luxury camping, also known as “glamping”.The market for a camping company has vastly shifted towards younger generations, who love the idea of closeness to nature without sacrificing comfort or luxury.

There are many different companies emerging in this industry to serve the demand. To make matters more interesting, the U.S. is actually behind other countries in the availability of these opportunities for glampers.

So, what are you waiting for?

The benefits are enormous once this business is off the ground. You are the boss of your own company, and you get to meet people from all over the world.

Read on to learn how you can invest your love of camping into a profitable company.

The Market of the Camping Industry

In planning to enter the camping industry, it is important to research the existing market.

This step will depend on what your niche is, such as an app, product, or campground.

Regardless, the market is on the up, and it does not appear to be going anywhere.

The existing camping companies in the U.S. and other countries do usually have one commonality: they cater to a specific group.

This could be in the form of a church camp, flyfishing camp, fitness camp, wellness camp, or any other number of demands you can identify in the target market.

The statistics support the fact that this is a growing industry full of opportunity, with a 147 million dollar increase predicted for 2018.

No matter which niche your camping company decides on, follow the market trends as you form your business plan.

Different Types of Camping Companys

As mentioned, there are many different types of camping and outdoors companies that are emerging.

One key change in the industry with the influx of technology is the appearance of web-based platforms designed as middle-men for camping experiences, such as Campsited.

The market for apps of this nature is fairly saturated, but that does not mean that there isn’t the opportunity to come out with another platform that offers a different approach.

For example, Fluid Market is one app that has been wildly popular because it is part of the new sharing economy model.

As well, these apps can be utilized by your camping company to reach your target audience.

Additionally, some business models in the camping industry have thrived by doing camping differently.

Instead of traditional log cabins and primitive tent campsites, you could try renting out custom camping vans, yurts, teepees or other unique abodes.

Best yet, let’s not forget about the potential of a quality camping product. Outdoor enthusiasts love to purchase functional items to use during their adventures, from apparel to coolers to outdoor blankets.

Think big or thing small, the camping industry can suit it all.

How to Create a Camping Company Business Plan

So, you read about the basic market for camping as well as some business ideas. Now, you want to know how to start a business plan.

The next four steps include how to begin the plan, as well as making the business profitable.

1. Discover the Goal of the Business

This step may cause an existential crisis because it does require you to look within yourself and ask: “Who am I?”

Not to worry, because this question can be answered by what you like in the camping world.

If you regularly camp, and you are looking for an off-the-grid business, then a campground may be for you.

However, if you prefer the city life with the occasional adventure, considering other options involving technology or a product.

No matter what, this is obviously a crucial first step in the business planning process.

2. Decide on a Demographic

Once you determine the goal of the business, the next step is to decide who your target demographic will be.

This will be reflective of the type of interests and life situation you have. Examples of target demographics could include families, couples, international travelers, or fitness gurus.

You can further refine the target by catering to specific interests. A luxury campground could be eco-friendly, with local, organic foods or a spiritual one that is dedicated to those looking to be in touch with a higher power.

Regardless, it is better to try and be specific with your demographic, as this will make it easier to market and cater to them.

3.Take into Account Your Resources

In the beginning stages of planning, it is important to think about your current life situation and resources.

This includes how much money you may have to invest in the company, or the availability of land.

If you have a family member that owns a large bit of land that they are not using, now is the time to reach out to them about your idea.

This also applies to any outdoors-related idea. It can be difficult to know how to start a business without the means or knowledge of how to do so.

Therefore, explored your networks, as well as supplementing with internet research.

Location is everything in the event that you decide to invest in a campground, it cannot be overstated enough.

The best and most profitable campgrounds are often in an amazing area with an existing tourism industry.

4. Get the Business off the Ground

At first, as with any business, it can be a struggle to get started. There is a lot that goes into a camping business, and you should expect to dedicate time and money to this endeavor.

Remember that it’s the little things that can help your business stand out in a crowd. Cultivate a campground that people would know is different, somehow or someway.

Moreover, marketing is the best way to grow your business, especially online. Branch out and explore different advertisement options, and don’t forget the importance of SEO.

Follow Your Dreams

The truth is, most of us dream of escaping the monotony of the work world. Many people are unhappy with their careers, and yearn to follow their passions.

Better yet, no matter if your business is a camping company or something else, entrepreneurship is truly the only way to be your own boss.

So, if you are passionate about the outdoors, don’t let life hold you back. Explore your dreams, and be the master of your own destiny.

Check out our blog post on tips for hiking with kids if you love the outdoors, but aren’t quite ready to take the plunge into owning a business today.

Did you know there are 38 million businesses that are based out of the home in the U.S.?

Yup, in the U.S. alone there are 38 million home-businesses which generate $472 billion in annual revenue. Of those 38 million, 20% of those businesses earn $100,000-$500,000 each year.

What we’re trying to get at is there are tons of people running businesses out of their homes and earning comfortable livings doing so.

Women overwhelmingly start home businesses (72%) for many reasons. They can spend more time with their kids, they like the flexibility, or they want to escape corporate life.

If you’ve been thinking about starting a business at home, check out our list of home business ideas for women.

Start an Etsy Shop

Do you have a knack for calligraphy? Jewelry making? Leatherwork?

Starting an Etsy shop is one of the most popular home business ideas for women. You can do what you love every day and see the joy your crafts bring to your customers.

You can also sell your crafts at farmers markets. This also gives your online shop more exposure.

Be an Online Broker-Dealer

If you’re coming out of corporate financial services, being an online broker-dealer is a lucrative position. Many professionals leaving corporate finance will set up shop at home and collect clients from past dealings.

There are a number of online exchanges where you can purchase investment vehicles for your clients. For example, TripleNet Gateway specializes in NNN property leasing investments and allows broker-dealers to purchase and sell on their exchange.

Explore Blogging

Starting a blog is one of the most attractive home business ideas for women. Blogging can be a highly lucrative business for those who carefully cultivate their online community and boost their web traffic.

There are no restrictions on what you can blog about. You can blog about one of your passions, provide expertise from your professional field, or start direct selling.

Through your blog, you can also sell products and services. For example, you could career coach or write a cookbook and sell it.

Found a Virtual Assistant Service

Virtual assistants are in high demand for all types of businesses. For the most part, businesses or individuals who need VAs are finding them through websites where VAs can post their experience.

This means there is still a gap for VA services that recruit, interview, and train VA specifically for each client. Starting a VA business is highly lucrative, especially if you already have a list of people who would benefit from having a VA.

Offer Coaching

If you like helping people achieve their goals, online coaching might be for you. With so many ways to communicate over the internet, there’s hardly a limit to who your clients can be.

The type of coaching you go into will mostly rely on your background. Popular types of coaching include career, business, fitness, life, financial, and direct-sales coaching. The list goes on.

There’s No Limit to Home Business Ideas for Women

Your mind is the limit when it comes to starting a business at home. You can do practically anything as long as you can figure out how to monetize it.

You can find tons of resources for home business ideas for women online. There are even Facebook and LinkedIn groups where women can encourage each other on their home business journey.

Once you decide on your home business, you’ll need a home office. Learn more about setting up a home office here.

It takes less than 10 seconds for people to form an opinion of you. Can you afford to make a less-than-stellar impression in the place where you need it most – at work?

As a mother, working from home is probably your ideal situation. But if you count yourself among the almost 74 million moms that work outside the home, you know how important personal presentation is.

Here’s the big question – can you keep up with your kids and still stay stylish? Once you read our guide to office attire, your answer will be YES!

Suit Up

If there’s one thing every woman needs in her closet, it’s one great suit. The ensemble – a blazer and either suit pants or a skirt – seems easy enough, but there are ways to do it wrong.

First, splurge a little and make sure it’s good quality. You’ll pay a high price now but high-quality outfits last a long time.

Second, make sure it fits perfectly. You don’t want pants that are too long or a blazer that bunches in weird places. Getting it tailored makes a big difference.

The Perfect Ratio

You most likely will work for a place that has a “business casual” office attire policy. This allows you a bit more flexibility in your look.

With more formal offices, you will be stuck with stuffy button-downs and blouses. With business casual, you have more options.

Having more options, though, might make you feel overwhelmed. Don’t fret – there’s a formula for keeping your wardrobe in check.

Have a small set number of neutral bottoms and double that number for your tops. So if you have five pants and skirts, you’ll need 10 tops.

That way you can easily mix and match and create multiple outfit possibilities.

Sounds expensive? It doesn’t have to be. Keep this 6PM promo code handy and start building an amazing work wardrobe.

Office Attire Accessories

If you’re stuck in a conservative office, you can let your personality shine through accessories! Here’s a chance to get creative and add some sparkle to the workplace.

Have a certain passion or hobby? Consider a charm necklace with little symbols of what you love dangling off of it. Think how amazing a pair of bright pink heels would look peeking out from the hem of a charcoal suit.

While simple dangling earrings bring a bit of bling to your look, leave the giant hoop earrings for the weekend.

Bonus Tips

Don’t forget one of the working woman’s best friends – a fantastic attache or work bag. It should be neutral to go with all of your outfits and large enough to fit your work essentials.

As a busy mom who also brings home the bacon, it’s easy to forget to take care of yourself. Your skin will show your exhaustion – take a few minutes to lavish it with some simple TLC.

Love perfume? Not everyone does. You sometimes spend more time with coworkers than you do with family. Don’t overwhelm them with a super strong scent.

Do you have a surefire strategy for showing your best side at the office? We want to hear it! Leave a reply and start a conversation!

You started your blog because you’re passionate about what you do—whether it’s being a mom, an accountant, a gardener or a social media marketing whiz.

But let’s face it. You also want to get more blog traffic. You want to develop a following. And maybe you’d even like to make some money on the side through affiliate partners.

You want to find like-minded people who like what you have to say. You know they’re out there. How do you get them to your website?

Fortunately, there are some great ways to get more blog traffic on a budget. Let’s explore how.

1) Get a Real Domain Name

When you started your blog, you may have just been testing the waters. But now you’re ready to give it a go for real.

If you’ve still got Wix, Weebly or BlogSpot on your domain name, it’s time for an upgrade. If you’re serious about becoming a professional blogger, you need a real domain name.

Your website name is a major part of your personal brand. If you’re hanging on to a free domain name to save money, you’re costing yourself more.

People won’t take you or your website seriously.

Even if it’s not true, it looks like you’re just one of the many weekend bloggers who half-heartedly throws a blog together. If it looks like you don’t care, they won’t care either.

You could get more blog traffic just by showing that you’re committed to your fans, your blog, and your topics.

Choose a platform that’s fast and mobile-friendly. Get your blog set up. And then find a domain name that exemplifies what you do.

2) Welcome Visitors with a Great Experience

A great visitor experience will help you get more blog traffic because people will come back and share with friends.

As a bonus, providing the right experience helps improve your visibility in searches. When your site is optimized for people, you’re on your way to being optimized for search engines as well.

Site Speed

Do everything you can to make your blog as fast as possible. Nearly1/2 of people expect your blog to load in 2 seconds. After 3 seconds, most people will go somewhere else. If it takes over 5 seconds, you won’t get much traffic at all.

Free speed testers like WebPageTest.org will help you understand if you’re on the right track. Google also has a speed test but it’s not compatible with Ajax-based sites like Wix.

If your site is slow, you can do some things by yourself to speed it up.

1. Reduce the sizes of your images.
2. Don’t overdo videos
3. Don’t overdo embedding
4. Check your site each time you add something new

If you want to learn to do more, take free coding classes at W3Schools or pay to get a class certificate.

But check with your web host first. Some sites that run on templates give you limited access to the code.

Navigation

You might be amazed by the clever navigation options made available to you. But to provide the right experience, keep navigation simple and intuitive. If your visitors have trouble knowing what to click when they visit, they won’t come back.

And they won’t tell their friends.

That’s less traffic for you.

Use vibrant images and great writing to wow your visitors. But keep navigation simple.

Mobile-Friendly

Test the mobile-friendliness of your site. Over 1/2 of traffic is on mobile devices. Your blog should look amazing on it.

Some quick tips for mobile-friendliness include:

1. Making sure your web host adjusts the page for mobile (or you do)
2. Using large, easy-to-read fonts
3. Keeping paragraphs short
4. Eliminating distracting elements on mobile
5. Checking how your site appears on mobile

3) Think Outside the Blog

You can’t get more traffic because people can’t find you.But as long as people can’t find you, you remain hidden at the bottom of the barrel on search engines like Google.

A vicious cycle plagues your site.

Reach out to other bloggers with similar blogs. Be on the lookout for opportunities to guest post on the other site. Agree to write them an amazing post in exchange for a link, bio, and pic.

Many sites these days use Gravatar. You can upload your pic and information. Then when you guest post, your Gravatar follows you from site to site.

What you’re doing is leveraging someone else’s traffic to gain a following. Through this, you can earn your own traffic and build a stronger personal brand.

Ever heard of the Oprah-Effect? It’s like that but on a smaller scale.

4) Get Social on Social

Get more blog traffic by sharing with others on social media.

You’re probably already active on social media. But social media for a blog can be very different.

You may want to start a dedicated account for the blog or use your own. Share inspirations and other blogger’s posts. In addition, entice people back to your website to check out your latest blogs.

Show that you’re part of a community in your niche. And through it, build a following of people who will visit and love your website.

Use free automation tools like HootSuite to schedule posts for maximum impact. They also have great tools to help you curate posts to share on your account.

Be personal and approachable in your posts—not overly promotional—to earn a following.

5) Be Consistent & Stick with It

It can take a little time to build up your blog. For a while, the people may come in at a trickle. It can be discouraging.

But fake it ’til you make it. As you continue to drive more people to your site, your visibility in search engines and on social media will rise.

You’ll be able to do less promotion and more working on your blog. You can even monetize your blog with affiliate ads if you want. But don’t overdo it and lose your loyal fans.

Set a schedule for your posts. Your goal should be 1-4 amazing articles a week. Some of the most successful bloggers post 15-20 pieces of content a month.

But never sacrifice quality for quantity.That could hurt your blogger brand. Keep fresh ideas flowing in by spending time on other blogs, social and forum sites to see what people are talking about.

Start a topic log where you jot topics every time one comes to mind. This way, you never run out of ideas when it’s time to write.

If you have trouble keeping up, hire a content writer to help manage your blog. If you’re monetizing your traffic with affiliate marketing, they’ll easily pay for themselves.

Get More Blog Traffic Now

With these tips and consistent effort, you can quickly begin to get more blog traffic. Get serious with a real domain name. Be active on social. And create the right “customer experience”.

When you do, people will want to come back and tell their friends.

For more thrifty momma tips on everything from DIY to running a business, check out our blog.