From a survey of 174 respondents, it was discovered that the majority have considered initiating an online business but are hesitant to do so.

 

Rachel Yeo, 18, who recently graduated from St Joseph’s Institution International (SJII), mentions that she is interested in starting an online business, if not for the many challenges it poses.

 

Some of her concerns are that “it’s super competitive” and “you don’t know how successful you will be”.

 

Though establishing an online business may seem like an uphill task, here are some tips you can follow to ensure that you are on the right track.

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1) Sell products that you are passionate about, and not for the sole sake of making money

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Hannah mentions that she has been making jewellery and accessories as a hobby since she was 16 years old, and she started her business in September 2018.

 

She says the versatility of clay allows her to express her creativity and make intricate flower designs.

 

“It’s always been a dream of mine, like when I was a kid I wanted to have my own store so now I kind of do but it’s online!” she says cheerfully. 

 

Similarly, Fatin Nur Syaza Bte Rosli, 19, sells handmade pins and keychains under the handle of @fish.skins on Instagram.

 

She says, “I’ve always loved making DIYs and handmade crafts ever since I was a child, but stopped after being busy with school. During circuit-breaker this year, I spent most of my time creating pins and making crafts has become my hobby once again!”

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2) Be disciplined

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Setting distinct goals during your journey of managing your business can help you stay motivated and disciplined.

 

Hannah says that managing an online business requires discipline because she does everything from designing the products to producing the products, interacting with customers, taking photos, writing captions for her Instagram page, and so on.

 

“I’ve got to do my own math, calculate expenses, clean my room,” she says with a laugh, “pack orders, mail orders, design my own packaging, things like that.”

 

Remember that if you start to slack, your business will take the toll.

 

 

3) Set up and promote your business 

 

Though Instagram is a popular platform, some think it is oversaturated with users and hence difficult to grow their business.

 

“I find that Instagram doesn’t put you on the recommended page if you don’t have that many followers,” says Rachel.

 

Hannah advises online business owners to utilise hashtags so that your posts can reach people other than your followers. She adds that she tries to post pictures of her products, tease upcoming products, and interact with her followers as frequently as possible.

 

Hannah also has a website that has all of her brand’s essential information, to allow customers to purchase her products from there.

 

You can also use Instagram’s paid promotion to ensure that your posts reach a larger audience, as Hannah says she has done.

 

She also has engaged with Refash at Orchard Gateway to stock her products, which “helps to reach more people that [she doesn’t] get online”. Although these shops do take fees from her, she says it is at least “still a form of promotion and advertisement”.

 

If you’re considering starting an online business, now’s the best time to take the plunge.

 

Fatin mentions she was afraid that her business would not make profit, however, the overwhelming support from her loved ones encouraged her to do so.