The Covid-19 pandemic that has swept the globe has led to many individuals losing their jobs or having their incomes reduced by a substantial amount. As a result, a large number of people have been finding it increasingly difficult to continue paying their financial obligations and monthly expenses. This having been said, what most do not yet know is how easy it is to start a business, even during the Covid-19 pandemic?

In most cases, everything from the manufacturing products, marketing, and selling them can be done without the entrepreneur having to leave his home. However, please keep in mind that this can only be done in the case of online businesses. These require that you build an online store, however, we will also look at how this can be done without having to pay any fees.

• Create an Online Store

Creating an online store is considerably easier than most would think. Regardless of what type of products you intend to sell, the general structure of the website is the same. Furthermore, most social media platforms already offer users the ability to set up stores through which to sell various types of merchandise. The deciding factor when choosing the right platform for you should be the products that you intend to sell. For example, affiliate marketing tends to work great on Instagram and standalone websites, however, handmade products (digital or physical) will be easier to sell through Etsy and Facebook. These social media stores can be created and maintained for free.

Also, keep in mind that you are not limited to these platforms. There are also several website builders such as WIX and Squarespace that enable users to build a website that has integrated eCommerce features. However, these usually require a paid subscription.

• Decide What Kind of Products You Want to Sell

Next, you will have to decide what you want to sell through the store. Those who have the artistical skills may find that it is easy to create and sell digital products, such as artwork, banners, images, and others. Choosing this category of products has the advantage of not requiring physical shipping or dealing with manufacturers. Creating handmade products is also extremely popular among both entrepreneurs as well as shoppers. Again, choosing this category of products does not require looking for manufacturers, however, you will have to decide how you will ship the products to your customers.

• Find a Manufacturer and Ask for Samples

Most entrepreneurs start online stores and sell products without ever having to handle any of the products. This is done by designing the products, finding a nearby manufacturer, sending in the specifications, and only ordering items when a customer has placed an order. In most cases, it is possible to give the manufacturer the shipping address of the client and have the product sent directly to them. This saves money, time, and space.

• Consider Getting a Loan to Give Your Business a Boost

Starting in any business is often difficult and the first few months are slow in terms of sales. Sales tend to only pick up once the brand or company gains popularity. Luckily, popularity can be bought through marketing campaigns. It is usually a good idea to get a personal loan and use it to finance an ad campaign on Facebook, Google, or other social media networks. This will give you all the funds that you need to drive traffic to your website and create a thriving community that will support your brand. However, please keep in mind that you should ensure that the personal loan is unsecured so that if anything happens and the business fails, you will not be in danger of losing your property to the bank.