It’s amazing to think of all the ways the internet has reshaped the world in which we live, especially the business world. Indeed, you can start an online business in under an hour and for less than a hundred bucks! Conversely, 90 percent of online businesses fail. However, people of faith go against the odds every day, believing in their hope for better days, even when evidence points to the contrary. So, running a small business should be right up your alley!
Running an e-commerce business is an uphill battle, but don’t let that deter you from pursuing your dreams of entrepreneurship. With the right tools, strategy, and faith in your mission, you can accomplish amazing things. That’s why we’ve taken the time to provide Christians with advice to navigate the world of online business.
Learn as much as you can about your target market.
God’s word in 2 Timothy 2:15 outlines the value of study and diligence, and it’s a lesson you should apply to running your e-commerce business. It says, “Study to show yourself approved …” Study your market before launching your business and learn as much as possible about your customers and competitors.
We live in the information age, and big data insights are golden to small business owners. TaskmonkAI is a tool that provides a single source of truth for e-commerce businesses, making it easier for them to collect, label, and apply data to business processes and marketing. To learn how Taskmonk’s AI data platform can help make your e-commerce operations smarter, visit their website at taskmonk.ai.
Don’t be afraid to start small.
Another great lesson you’ve probably come across in your Bible studies is God’s word on small beginnings. Zechariah 4:10 says, “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin ….” When you flip to the New Testament of your large print study Bible, there’s wisdom to be found in Hebrews 12:1 about sustaining your efforts, saying, ” … let us run with endurance the race that is set before us ….” Don’t be afraid to start small, and no matter the circumstances, don’t give up.
Embrace social media.
It’s easy to find the negative in social media. However, it has so much more good to offer, especially for e-commerce business owners. Indeed, it’s the most effective and affordable way for small businesses to grow their target audience. Research to determine what platform is best for your small business and focus your efforts on building your online presence. It’s better to focus on building a community rather than building your following.
Be driven by your mission rather than profits.
The key to success in business is to provide an in-demand product or service. Focus your efforts on filling a need rather than earning profits, and the profits will soon follow, but the key is giving people something they need.
Launching an e-commerce business is remarkably easy, but building a lasting online business takes hard work and an effective business strategy. You can increase your chances of success by performing market research to learn as much about your target audience and competitors as possible. Don’t be afraid to start small—in the words of Christ in Matthew 17:20, “For truly, I say to you, if you have faith like a grain of mustard seed … nothing will be impossible for you.” Embrace the power of social media to grow your business and impact change, and be driven by your mission rather than profits.
As you know, nothing is possible without faith, so you must have faith in yourself, your business, and, well, your faith. Running an e-commerce business is a marathon and not a sprint. If you enter your business with a sprinter’s mindset, your online business, like most others, will reach its finish line in four months, which isn’t good. Run a race of endurance and perseverance, and watch your tiny mustard seed blossom into something big and wondrous.