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Blog / Beginner's handbook / How to Start an Ecommerce Business Without Money: A Complete Guide

Beginner's handbook

How to Start an Ecommerce Business Without Money: A Complete Guide

How to Start an Ecommerce Business Without Money: A Complete Guide
Zoe Amora Iranzo-Lauriņa

By Zoe Amora Iranzo-Lauriņa

14 min read

Are you tired of living paycheck to paycheck? Of trading your valuable time for a salary? Learn how to start an ecommerce business without money and get off the hamster wheel.

We’re not saying it’ll be easy. You’ll need to put in a lot of work and stay consistent. But if you follow the steps in this guide, you can build a lucrative ecommerce business within months.

Maybe you already have a genius business idea but don’t know how to bring it to life. Or perhaps you dream of passive income but have no idea where to start. Join the rapidly growing world of ecommerce, expected to reach a staggering $47.7T by 2030.

Ecommerce has a global reach and is more scalable than other business models like brick-and-mortar stores. It also has an incredibly low entry barrier. You can start selling products online with only an internet connection and a computer. Read on to find out how.

How to start an ecommerce business without money in 8 steps

Starting your own online business with no money is possible thanks to accessible business models, organic marketing tactics, free selling platforms, and more. Follow these 8 steps to get your online store up and running.

1. Pick a business model with low startup costs

The first step to starting your online business with no money is to pick a business model with low startup costs. Luckily, there are many excellent options out there:

Print-on-demand (POD)

POD is an ecommerce model that lets you sell custom products under your brand without holding inventory. First, you set up a store on an ecommerce platform or marketplace and connect it to a print-on-demand provider. Then, your customers place orders on your site. Lastly, your POD service provider prints, packages, and ships the product to them. It’s ideal for entrepreneurs and creatives with limited upfront capital.

a screenshot of a screenSource: Printful

For example, with POD, you can start a clothing line and sell custom hoodies, custom t-shirts, joggers, and more. Browse our 367 products to add to your ecommerce store.

See how other business owners made it by checking out successful print-on-demand store examples.

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is similar to POD. A third-party supplier manufactures, packs, and ships orders for your business. The difference is that you usually can’t customize the products with your own designs. But branded dropshipping lets you do that. Check out these 15 popular dropshipping business ideas to try this year.

Sell digital products

Consider selling digital products that cover a popular topic and offer helpful content. Examples of digital products include ebooks, font packages, branding kits, and photography presets. Bloggers can also offer a membership site or paid newsletter (like food writer Alicia Kennedy).

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Sell services online

If you have a particular skill, consider monetizing it. One option is to sell online courses. Or offer your services as a translator, virtual assistant, copywriter, tutor, and more. Freelance platforms like Upwork or Fiverr allow you to advertise your service-based business for free.

Affiliate marketing

Affiliate marketers earn a commission for promoting and selling products through affiliate links. Many brands offer affiliate programs you can sign up for. Join Printful’s Affiliate Program, and get 10% from every order made through your link.

Preselling

Preselling is an excellent tactic for selling products without any upfront investment. It also helps you confirm that your product or service is worth selling. Plus, it creates hype around your business idea or product.a woman smiling at the cameraSource: Rare Beauty

For example, Selena Gomez’s makeup brand, Rare Beauty, presells cruelty-free products. It attracts customers with its brand story and contributions to mental health services.

Sell handmade products

Is crafting beautiful handmade products your passion? Consider selling your handmade products on an established marketplace like Etsy or Amazon, or opening your own online store. You can also show your creative process on Instagram or TikTok and sell directly on the social media platforms.

2. Find products with high-profit margin

Balancing expenses, profit, and customer satisfaction is tricky for most ecommerce newcomers. But, pricing products correctly is crucial for a profitable online business. Below are tips for finding high profit margin products.

  • Use product research tools like Oberlo, JunlgeScout, or Amazon’ SellerApp to find trending, high-demand, low-competition products

  • Focus on niche products that cater to a specific target audience and solve a unique problem. Niche products are usually perceived as more valuable.

  • Pick a product sourcing method that allows you to customize your products. This will let you set higher prices and build a memorable brand. Selling white-label products through the print-on-demand business model is an excellent choice.

  • Pick seasonal and trendy products. Most of us don’t buy tank tops in winter and scarves in summer, right? Choose products relevant to the time of year and the latest trends. For example, Nadia the Artist sells spooky art prints in October and colorful illustrations in summer.

  • Use a subscription model. Consider selling products on a subscription basis. Then you’ll ensure regular income for your ecommerce business. Some products that work well with this model are beauty products, ebooks, and supplements.

Birchbox is a perfect subscription-based business example.Source: Birchbox

If you’re starting a dropshipping business, browse these high profit dropshipping products.

3. Partner up with a supplier

To start your own business with no money, you need someone to handle manufacturing, warehousing, and shipping. Your customers won’t care that you didn’t manufacture the product yourself. As long as the product is good quality, they’ll be satisfied. That‘s why it’s crucial to choose your supplier wisely.

Consider these points before signing a deal:

  • Quality and product selection. High-quality products build trust with your customers. They also result in fewer complaints and produce higher returns on investment (ROI). Choose a supplier offering a wide selection of trending products potential customers would buy.

  • Turnaround time. According to research, customers claim that faster delivery matters more than price. Of course, customers will expect a longer fulfillment time if you offer custom-printed products, but you still have to communicate that clearly and upfront. Find out more about Printful’s order fulfillment times.

  • Reputation. A good way to vet a supplier is to check other merchants’ opinions. With Printful, you’re choosing the best in the industry, according to over 31K reviews.
    a collage of images of kidsSource: Printful

  • Location. If possible, choose a supplier close to you to reduce shipping time and costs. Printful has fulfillment centers in the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, and Mexico.

  • Communication. When partnering with a supplier, you’re establishing a new business relationship. Effective communication is key to any successful relationship. Printful offers 24/7 customer support to answer any of your queries.

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4. Create your brand identity

a notebook with a pen and glasses on itSource: thebluediamondgallery

What sets a successful ecommerce business apart? A strong brand identity. It helps you build a loyal customer base and leaves a lasting impression on people’s minds.

Here are the key steps to create a unique brand identity:

Choose an available brand name

Conduct a trademark search using the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) database. Ensure your brand name is unique and not already registered.

Check for available social media handles as well. You want people to be able to search for your brand and recognize you easily. 

Your logo is one of the first impressions of your brand. It should be captivating, memorable, and adequate for your product or service. Research what types of logos successful brand competitors use to ensure your brand’s logo is one-of-a-kind. 

A logo frequently combines several visual elements, so there are a few things to consider, like font, imagery, and color scheme. Start by familiarizing yourself with color theory to learn design basics. You can use free tools like Canva to create a logo yourself or hire a graphic designer.

Determine your brand’s visual identity

The visual identity includes your brand’s color palette, fonts, images, shapes, and other visual elements used in its products and promotions.

Consider how different font types evoke various emotions. For example, a large, bold font conveys strength. Serif fonts are frequently connected to authority. A script font can communicate to consumers that your company is more lighthearted. 

Establish brand guidelines

A brand’s guidelines outline how its visual identity, typography, tone of voice, and logo should be presented, ensuring brand consistency across all marketing platforms. Brand consistency fosters customer loyalty and trust.

First, decide on a color palette that you’ll use across your entire brand—on your website, marketing campaigns, social media pages, and other visual brand assets.

Then, choose one font for headings and one for general text. Save decorative fonts for your logo or special occasions.

Next, set the guidelines for aesthetic elements and effects. If you use photographs, ensure the tone, colors, and filters are consistent. Don’t forget to include tone of voice and use of language.

Register a domain name

Ensure your domain matches or is closely related to your brand name. Before purchasing, check if your desired domain name is available. Use domain registration platforms like GoDaddy, Get .Store, or Google Domains.

Dive into more details in our complete guide on how to build a brand

5. Create products

Now that we’ve covered the legal formalities, it’s time for the fun part—creating products! You can skip this section if you’re going the classic dropshipping route. But if you want to place your unique designs on 367 products with the power of print-on-demand, read on!

With Printful, you can design your products with our free Design Maker. You can either upload your existing designs or use Design Maker’s tools and resources:

  • 712 fonts

  • 20400+ clipart (300+ clipart collections)

  • 3100+ ready-made designs

  • 550+ background graphics and 175 colors

Valuable read: 11 Things You Didn’t Know Printful’s Design Maker Could Do

You have two options when designing products. Go to Printful’s Catalog, choose a product, and start designing from there. Or, go to your Dashboard > Product catalog, choose a product, and click Create product template.

a man wearing sunglasses and a black sweatshirtSource: Printful

After customizing your product, save it to templates. From your Dashboard, go to Product templates to access it. You can add it directly to your online store or download mockups for retouching in a photo editor or posting on social media.

Find a complete guide on how to create designs for products in our article on how to start a print-on-demand business.

Also, check out our video tutorial on how to create products with Printful’s Design Maker.

Check out these free image resources for design inspiration. You can also hire a graphic designer to create designs that align with your vision.

6. Choose your selling platform

There are several routes you can take. Create your own website or use an existing ecommerce platform or marketplace. Each option has its pros and cons.

Ecommerce platforms

a screenshot of a websiteSource: Shopify

Platforms like Shopify, WooCommerce, and BigCommerce offer user-friendly interfaces and customizable templates. You can access market research tools, content marketing tools, and more. Ecommerce tools can help you sell products online.

Some platforms require an initial investment, while others offer free plans and trials. Many ecommerce platforms integrate with print-on-demand services. Browse the list of Printful’s ecommerce integrations.

Pros:

  • Control over design, branding, and customer experience

  • Extensive customization options

  • Scalability as your business grows

Cons:

  • Time-consuming initial setup

  • Potential costs for advanced features

Online marketplaces

a screenshot of a storeSource: Etsy

Marketplaces like Amazon, eBay, and Etsy provide immediate visibility to your products without extensive marketing efforts. They also offer free listing options.

Pros:

  • Access to a large existing customer base

  • Simple listing processes

  • Customers’ trust as they’re already there to buy products

Cons:

  • Fees for listing products and sales commissions

  • High competition from other sellers

  • Limited branding and control over customer experience

Ecommerce website

a screenshot of a websiteSource: Squarespace

Creating your own website provides the highest level of control and flexibility. Use tools like WordPress and WooCommerce or website builders like Wix or Squarespace. With their help, you can create a professional-looking site on your own.

Pros:

  • Full control over branding and customer journey

  • Independence from third-party platforms and fees

  • Search engine optimization (SEO) opportunities to attract organic traffic

Cons:

  • Time and effort required for building and maintaining the website

  • Some technical know-how may be beneficial

  • Costs money (starting from about 39$/month)

When choosing, consider what you’re selling and who your target audience is. Also, know your technical skills, startup capital, and how you plan to scale your business. For example, Etsy is perfect for selling clothing, art, or handmade goods. eBay is the number one platform for electronic products. Ecommerce platforms or custom websites are excellent for scaling businesses in the future.

7. List your products and start selling

Once you’ve chosen your selling platform, it’s time to list products online. Competition is fierce, so how can you stand out? Online businesses must feature impeccable product listings that capture buyers’ attention.

Follow these tips to start selling your products.

  • Use high-quality photos

According to Amazon’s Image Guidelines, using photos that are at least 500 × 500 pixels increases a listing’s quality. But, hiring a photographer and models to take photos of your products is expensive. Luckily, you can create stunning product photos without spending a dime!

Use Printful’s Mockup Generator to download free product photos with your designs.

a man wearing a yellow hat and blue sweaterSource: Printful

  • Optimize your listings

Follow SEO (search engine optimization) best practices. Include relevant keywords in your titles and descriptions. This helps your product appear higher in search engines like Google, eBay, Amazon, or Etsy. Create SEO-friendly product listings based on your chosen platform’s requirements. More on SEO in the next section.

  • Write compelling product descriptions that captivate your audience

Focus on the benefits of your product and make the description easy to read. Include product specifications, dimensions, and materials. Use bullet points for easy readability. Incorporate storytelling to connect with potential buyers.

  • Set competitive pricing

See what prices other businesses are setting for similar products. This gives you a clear idea of what customers are willing to pay. Keep your prices within that range, but ensure a healthy profit margin.

  • Provide stellar customer service

Did you know that 20% of your current customers may be the source of 80% of your company’s profits? Excellent customer experience will increase buyer loyalty, positive reviews, and repeat purchases. Even if you’re a solopreneur selling on social media, being kind to your customers costs nothing and can give you a huge competitive advantage.

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8. Market your business

Successfully launching your ecommerce business with no money requires active marketing. An effective marketing strategy can boost visibility, drive traffic, and increase sales.

Use these tactics to market your business with no money or little upfront investment.

Email marketing

Email marketing is the most effective marketing strategy, with an impressive ROI of $42 for every $1 spent. Send newsletters, personalized messages, and automated sequences directly to your customers’ inboxes. Some email marketing services like Klaviyo or Mailchimp offer free plans. Check out these email marketing strategies for better results.

Influencer marketing

Social media influencers affect people’s purchasing decisions by promoting or recommending products. Partner with influencers to reach new audiences and build credibility. Microinfluencers are more inclined to accept brand promotion in exchange for complimentary products. Find out how to run the perfect microinfluencer campaign.

Optimize for search engines (SEO)

Improve your website’s search engine rankings. Identify relevant keywords and optimize your site’s structure and content. Search engines use algorithms to organize search results and provide the best content for users. Bots, or crawlers, gather and add information to the search index. This index helps the algorithm rank pages for specific keywords. Find out more in our ecommerce SEO guide for beginners.

Use social media marketing

Build a strong social media presence on platforms your potential customers hang out on. Engage with your audience and provide valuable content related to your product. Social media is free to use and a powerful tool for making money online. Check out these social media strategies for a successful business.

Leverage paid advertising

Once your business starts making money, you can reinvest in paid advertising to scale. Use platforms like Google Ads, Facebook Ads, and Instagram Ads to target specific audiences. You can filter audiences based on demographics, interests, and behaviors.

Watch our Facebook Ads for beginners tutorial. Also, check out these Google Ads marketing tips for your online store.

Analyze and adjust

Track your performance and refine your marketing strategies based on insights. The secret to any successful business owner is the ability to adapt. If one tactic isn’t working, try another one.

a group of people climbing up a bar graphSource: LinkedIn

A true entrepreneur is resourceful

It’s a wonderful time to be alive. Nowadays, anyone can start an ecommerce business with no money.

Leverage the power of low-cost business models like POD to create one-of-a-kind products. Let your supplier partner handle logistics while you focus on product design and marketing. Build a solid brand identity and connect with your customers.

Who said you need to invest thousands of dollars to start a business? Go slow and steady and avoid risks or capital loss. You can always reinvest your earnings later on. Start with a business plan, and come back to this guide to help you every step of the way!

Read next: Clothing Line Business Plan Guide.

 

author

By Zoe Amora Iranzo-Lauriņa on Jul. 15, 2024

Zoe Amora Iranzo-Lauriņa

Guest author

Zoe is a creative writer, multilingual translator, and certified yoga instructor with a passion for learning, traveling, and global cuisine. When she's not typing away at her PC, you can find her teaching yoga in the park, reading on the couch with her cat, or plunging in the Mediterranean.

Zoe is a creative writer, multilingual translator, and certified yoga instructor with a passion for learning, traveling, and global cuisine. When she's not typing away at her PC, you can find her teaching yoga in the park, reading on the couch with her cat, or plunging in the Mediterranean.