Starting an e-commerce business in Australia

17 July 2022 5 Mins Read

If you are an entrepreneur who wishes to enter the e-commerce market in Australia, the industry is ripe with opportunity right now – making it the perfect time to do so. Here’s a handy guide on how you can start an e-commerce business in Australia today.

Online shopping has become increasingly popular due to the convenience and accessibility it offers. Australia is the 11th largest market for e-commerce, with a revenue of US$31 billion in 2021 and which is expected to grow to US$32.3 billion by 2024. People are investing in the e-commerce business in Australia as it offers them a lucrative opportunity to generate more revenue streams. Even if you have a traditional brick-and-mortar business, opening an e-store alongside it will allow you to tap international opportunities, expand your global reach, and ultimately increase your revenue.

If you wish to start an e-commerce business in Australia but don’t know where to start, you have come to the right place. Here, we will guide you on what it takes to create an e-commerce business and all the steps needed.

Steps to get started

Starting an e-commerce business in Australia is somewhat similar to starting a traditional business in Australia, however there are several instances where an e-commerce business deviates from a regular brick-and-mortar business. According to Finder, to start an e-commerce business Australia, the following steps are needed:

1. Do adequate market research

The first step is to research the market and decide which goods or services you want to sell. You have to identify your target audience and the market niche to know what competition and scope it holds. Choose a niche with good competition but not one that is already saturated. When embarking on research, also figure out in greater detail other aspects, such who your supplier will be, and what kind of manufacturing, inventory, and logistics will be involved.

2. Register your business

The next step is to pick a name for your company and get it registered. You will get an Australian Business Number (ABN). This step also involves registering the domain name on the internet and creating your social media handles. Create your company logo to be unique and grab customers’ attention. An additional key thing to note is that your e-commerce business must register for Goods and Services Tax (GST) if your annual turnover is greater than AU$75,000.

3. Create your online store

Choosing the right platform to create your online store is probably the most important aspect of starting an e-commerce business in Australia, as you can select from a variety of e-commerce platforms available on the market. Thus it is important for you to weigh their pros and cons.

Here, we will discuss some of the popular platforms and then some tips on choosing the best platform.

Comparing popular electronic business platforms

WooCommerce

WooCommerce is a WordPress plugin that provides a user-friendly interface and a lot of options to customise your store. It is an excellent choice for entrepreneurs as it is cost-friendly, easy to use, SEO friendly, and has options to integrate payments. However, it has some performance constraints and limited scalability.

Shopify

Shopify offers a user-friendly interface with many design options, built-in hosting speed and security, SEO options, and various plugins. However, it is costly and the option to customise is a bit difficult for beginner users.

Magento

Magento is another platform which has the benefits of being SEO friendly, scalable, flexible design, and advanced shopping cart features. However, it is quite technical and requires programming and development skills, as well as professional expertise for maintenance.

Selecting an e-business platform

When choosing a platform for your e-commerce business Australia, choose the one which successfully delivers the objectives that you have set, not just the most popular one. The following factors must be considered:

● Your business needs

● Vendor experience and expertise

● Cost of the platform

● SEO friendliness

● Scalability

● Security

● Maintenance and sSupport

● Mobile -friendliness

● Self-hosted vs cloud-based

Create an e-commerce website that is user-friendly and provides users with reliable search options, multiple modes of payment, and multiple delivery options.

4. Choose the right payment methods

Choose the right payment methods and gateways which, in terms of e-commerce business Australia, means choosing from credit cards, e-wallets such as Paypal, Mastercard, Visa checkout, POLi internet banking, mobile payments, and bank transfers.

5. Create a thorough marketing plan

Advertise your business with a wholesome marketing strategy by investing in e-marketing and expanding your reach on major social media platforms. The next step is to have a logistics plan in which you can choose a 3PL company like DHL Express to provide you with various logistics and delivery options.

How DHL Express can help you start your e-commerce business

DHL Express is a reliable trade partner which helps local businesses in Australia ship to international destinations and expand their market reach. Through streamlined procedures and processes, you won’t have to worry about the logistics aspect of business. You can focus on your products, their quality, and marketing and leave the logistics and shipping to a reliable third-party provider. For more information about how DHL Express can be beneficial in your exports, open an account with us to start enjoying the benefits of MyDHL+.