Setting Up Your Online Shop: A Step-by-Step Guide

Now that you’ve done your research and have an idea of what you want to sell, the next step is to set up your online shop and position it where your target audience is located. This step is crucial because, once online, you can sell your products or services to anyone in the world. If you’re involved in affiliate marketing, the logistics of delivering products are typically handled by the company you’re promoting, freeing you from those concerns.

Why Location Matters in Online Business

Even though the internet connects us globally, search engines like Google still prioritize local results. This means that when someone searches for a product or service, Google tends to show options that are nearby. Therefore, it’s essential to identify which part of the world you want to focus your business on. This decision should be guided by where there’s a high demand for your product or service.

Using Google Trends to Identify Demand

One of the best tools for determining where to position your business is Google Trends. This tool allows you to see what’s trending in different parts of the world and helps you identify where there’s demand for the product or service you want to sell.

Example 1: Understanding Product Demand with Google Trends

Let’s say you’re promoting a product like Herbalife. By typing “Herbalife” into Google Trends, you can see which regions have the highest interest in this product. For instance, you might find that Puerto Rico and Namibia have a high demand, making it a potential target market for your business.

Example 2: Identifying Seasonal Demand

You can also use Google Trends to identify seasonal products. For example, if you type in “Halloween shoes,” you might find that the search interest spikes around certain times of the year, such as Halloween. This indicates that “satin shoes” might be a seasonal item, and focusing on it could yield better results during specific periods.

showing seasonal demand on Google trends

Example 3: Targeting Popular Brands

If you’re considering selling a popular brand like Nike, Google Trends can help you identify the regions with the most interest. For instance, you might discover that the USA and Australia have high demand for Nike shoes. This insight can guide you to target these regions or, alternatively, you might choose to focus on regions with lower competition where you can stand out more easily.

The Importance of Keyword Research

Before you build your website, thorough keyword research is essential. Understanding what people are searching for will help you position your business effectively and ensure that your website attracts the right kind of traffic. Long-tail keywords (those that are more specific and less competitive) can be particularly valuable, as they often have lower competition, giving you a better chance to rank higher in search results.