How to Start Your Own Online clothing Boutique
When I first decided to start my own business, I had no idea where to begin. It was pretty difficult to find all the information I needed to complete the process, which is why I wanted to write this blog post. I wish I had found this information sooner for myself, and avoided some unnecessary costs and confusion! Below, I outlined the steps from start-to-finish of how I created my own online clothing boutique. Keep in mind, I live in Minnesota, so this process might be a bit different if you are in another state, but it’ll still be very similar! I should also warn you to expect some decent size expenses when starting your own online boutique. But, you do need to spend money to make money!
Create a name
Create a name for your online boutique. This should really capture the essence of your boutique. Be sure its a name you will love even years from now!
What’s Your Niche?
Decide what style of apparel you want to sell, and why. Who is your target consumer and what are they shopping for right now? Research and curate a sample collection to get a better idea of what product you want to purchase for your store, and use this as your inspiration.
Images from www.whiteopalboutique.com
REGISTER YOUR DOMAIN NAME
Next, choose your website name. you could make it easy and just use the name of your boutique, or else I have seen several owners opt to call it www.shop(insert name here).com. It’s really what you think will be best! Buying a domain name will typically cost anywhere from $9-$15, but this can differ depending on the domain extension or the domain registrar you choose. I used GoDaddy.com to register my boutique name.
Apply for an ein
What’s an EIN? An Employer Identification Number! This is how the government will categorize your business and tax you. Fun stuff I know, but you need it! Head over to irs.gov to apply. You will most likely file your business as a Sole Proprietorship or an LLC, unless you plan on hiring employees.
Apply for a wholesale license
(resale permit)
In MN, this number is the same as your EIN. However, you will need to apply for a Sales and Use number since you are going to buy and resell products on your website. You will file this with your state’s Department of Revenue. If you are in MN, you can file HERE.
File a Fictitious Business Name
(Assumed Name, DBA)
The purpose of this is to inform the public of who actually owns the business. You will do this through your local newspaper, for a specific period of time. There is a registration fee for this, so check prices with multiple local newspapers for the best rate.
Open a new bank account
Next, you will open a new bank account for your online boutique. You will need to bring two things with you in order to do this: Your EIN number, and proof that you filed a fictitious business name (DBA). The newspaper you filed with should send you a copy of your filing after the time period has passed.
Create your website
Now comes the fun part! You will most likely want to choose a website building platform unless you plan on creating one from scratch. I personally use Shopify. I tried a few options beforehand, but Shopify has the best integration and customization by far! They also have great customer support resources if you have questions. No graphic design experience necessary, and very easy to use. Check it out HERE. I’ve heard Squarespace is also a great option for an online boutique, but I prefer it for blogging, rather than e-commerce.
Purchase Wholesale Clothing
This is definitely the best part! Start researching fashion trade shows. Most are in large cities, and definitely worth the trip! MAGIC Las Vegas is my absolute favorite, they go all out! You can browse all of the different clothing booths, purchase while you are there, or exchange information with vendors, and purchase online. In times of COVID-19, virtual tradeshows are also an option! FashionGo.com is one of my favorite resources to discover new brands, all in one online location!
Photograph your Product
It’s highly worthwhile to invest in a nice camera to take pictures for your website. This is even more important when you are an online-only boutique. The pictures can make or break the sale! Upload your photos to your website and enter in detailed descriptions of your product (size measurements, details, fit, etc.) Again, your customers can’t try on before they buy, so you will want to be as descriptive as possible.
Marketing
The easiest (and cheapest) way to market your boutique is through social media! I use Instagram and Facebook to direct traffic to my website. Anytime you have new items, or run a promotion, be sure to mention it to your social media following! Influencer marketing is another great option if you want to spend a little more, and get your product in front of a wider audience.