Keep in Mind Before You Start

Building an independent e-commerce site and selling products is essentially an entrepreneurial venture. Since it is entrepreneurship, it should follow the principles of starting a business. Here are some key principles we’ve summarized, which may provide inspiration:

  • Success in a single attempt is rare; maintain low-cost trial and error so you can have a second chance.

  • Scarcity adds value; generic, mass-produced items are hard to sell.

  • Ensure your product is the top choice on the customer’s mental “shelf.”

  • Reject mediocrity: mediocre products won’t sell, and mediocre content won’t attract traffic. Once you break away from mediocrity, success begins.

  • Identify mistakes early and correct them promptly; check yourself frequently.

  • If the results are unsatisfactory, something is wrong—find the problem.

  • Continuously improve until you truly impress your customers.

  • Learn to collaborate; extra support can make a significant difference.

  • You don’t need to be good to start. You need to start to be good.