If I were starting an ecommerce store today, there are several things I would have liked someone to tell me. Here are some detailed insights with examples and references:

1. Choose a niche market: It's crucial to identify a specific niche market to target, rather than trying to cater to a broad audience. By focusing on a niche, you can better understand your customers' needs and tailor your products and marketing strategies accordingly. For instance, instead of selling generic clothing, you could specialize in sustainable fashion for eco-conscious consumers.

2. Conduct thorough market research: Before diving into any business venture, it's essential to conduct thorough market research. This involves analyzing your competitors, understanding your target audience, and identifying market trends. Tools like Google Trends, SEMrush, and SimilarWeb can provide valuable insights into search volume, competition, and customer behavior.

3. Build a user-friendly website: Your website is the face of your ecommerce store, so it's crucial to create a user-friendly and visually appealing interface. Ensure that your website is mobile-responsive, loads quickly, and has intuitive navigation. Additionally, optimize your site for search engines by incorporating relevant keywords, meta tags, and high-quality content.

4. Invest in high-quality product photography: In the ecommerce world, customers rely heavily on product images to make purchasing decisions. Investing in high-quality product photography can significantly impact your sales. Consider hiring a professional photographer or using high-resolution images that showcase your products from different angles. Platforms like Shopify offer various apps and integrations to enhance your product photography.

5. Implement effective marketing strategies: To drive traffic and sales to your ecommerce store, you need to implement effective marketing strategies. Utilize a combination of digital marketing channels such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, email marketing, influencer collaborations, and content marketing. Experiment with different strategies and analyze their performance using tools like Google Analytics or Facebook Ads Manager.

6. Focus on customer experience: Providing an exceptional customer experience is crucial for the success of your ecommerce store. Offer multiple payment options, provide detailed product descriptions and sizing charts, offer easy returns and refunds, and provide excellent customer support. Personalization and engaging with customers through personalized emails, chatbots, or loyalty programs can also enhance the overall customer experience.

7. Leverage social proof and customer reviews: Social proof plays a significant role in building trust and credibility for your ecommerce store. Encourage customers to leave reviews and ratings for your products, and prominently display them on your website. You can also leverage user-generated content (UGC) by encouraging customers to share their experiences on social media platforms using branded hashtags.

8. Continuously analyze and optimize: The ecommerce landscape is constantly evolving, so it's crucial to continuously analyze your store's performance and optimize your strategies accordingly. Regularly review your website analytics, sales data, customer feedback, and conversion rates to identify areas for improvement. Tools like Hotjar, Optimizely, or Crazy Egg can help you track user behavior and conduct A/B testing for optimization.

Remember, starting an ecommerce store requires dedication, persistence, and adaptability. Stay updated with industry trends, learn from your competitors, and always strive to provide value to your customers.

References:

• Shopify: https://www.shopify.com/
• Google Trends: https://trends.google.com/trends/
• SEMrush: https://www.semrush.com/
• SimilarWeb: https://www.similarweb.com/
• Hotjar: https://www.hotjar.com/
• Optimizely: https://www.optimizely.com/
• Crazy Egg: https://www.crazyegg.com/