Kusnap is a credible platform that has helped entrepreneurs launch an e-commerce store with efficiency and seamlessness. Ever since its establishment, businesses have been able to move to the digital space considering the advanced technology age which we find ourselves today. These businesses have enjoyed numerous benefits associated with digital integration and inclusion such as wider exposure to target market, improved productivity, better growth rate, and so on.

However, Like many other e-commerce platform out there, sales on Digital stores on Kusnap can just happen on their own. In order to make sales, entrepreneurs are required to put in necessary effort and consider using tools that can help get your business to where you desire. It could be as simple as engaging your friends or family in your business, or as complex as using social media ads. Whatever the case may be, there must be a starting point.

While it is worthy to note that Kusnap itself employs different means to help digital stores on the platform make sales and boost profits, entrepreneurs on the platform also need to do their own part. The United effort put together will surely drive customers to your store and you will be off to a good start.

Through this article, we will take a look at different methods you can employ to start making sales on Kusnap. Along the way, you will see how you can win your first conversion and how you can build on it over time.

How long does it take to get sales on Kusnap?

This is one of the big questions most entrepreneurs ask, especially when they are just about to join the platform. This is totally normal, considering the amount of money, time, and effort invested in a business. Any wrong move could make damage and ruin everything.

To answer your question, it is important to understand that making first sales on Kusnap depends on a range of factors. These includes:

· The availability of an existing network of customers

· The age and authority of your domain (if you are buying an existing domain)

· The depth of your market research – and how your products and prices reflect your research

· How you present your products (images, product descriptions, etc)

· Attractive incentives you set up for visitors to buy from you.

Reasons MSMEs Fail

The business sector in Nigeria has seen lots of lots of changes over the last couple of years. The market has seen a much significant rise in the number of Micro, Small, and Medium enterprises (MSMEs). This is partly due to the fact that they are not so complicated to startup and run. The fact that it does not have to be capital intensive makes it an even more viable option for many of the entrepreneurs and Merchants across the country.

One thing to note, however, is the undeniable fact that as much as there is a huge influx of MSMEs in the Nigerian commercial industry today, a high percentage of them also pack up within few months of running. Actually, the rate of businesses that shut down after a brief period is so alarming, but isn’t so noticeable since there are immediate replacements for the ones who leave.

Many entrepreneurs or merchants who notice this trend might be discouraged by the fact that the ratio of MSMEs that stay above water to the ones that go under is so low. This is scary enough to deter anyone to venture and establish any MSMEs within the Nigerian market. Regardless of that fact, however, we have also seen many examples of businesses that have thrived and many have even expanded.

In order not to fall victim of these calamitous event of folding up within a few months of running a business, we are going to examine the different and major reasons why MSMEs fail. This will be an eye opener for potential investors in the Nigerian market looking to set up their business here on the home soil.

Zero/Inadequate Planning

There’s a popular saying that goes: “If you fail to plan, then you plan to fail”. This principle is multidimensional as it cuts across all sectors that affect human life, relationship-wise, health-wise, business-wise, and so on. MSMEs also are not left out. A lot of businesses are launched with probably a great idea for a specific product or service which as obviously thought, would yield massive profits, but eventually crash as a result of the inadequate or lack of a solid business plan to back it up.

Let’s not fail to note that there are MSMEs that also execute their ideas with a business plan but still end up with the same fate with businesses that lacked one in the first place. This can be as a result of many factors like unrealistic projections, inaccurate info, poor data translation, and so on.

To have an effective business place, it must incorporate the following:

· Mission and strategy

· Development financing

· Financial objectives

· Sales and marketing strategies

· Competitor analysis including pricing

· Market summary

· Resource plan

· Financial forecasts (income statement, balance sheet, cash flow forecast, capital requirements, working capital)

Relevance of Search Engine Rankings on E-Commerce

Search engine rankings are very important when operating a small or medium-sized business on the internet. Tools like SEO, SEO, and SEM are some of the trusted tactics of having a wider market coverage and brand promotion on the internet. A new e-commerce website is set up with the intent of being easily found in search engines. Ranking in Google is very important because an increase in the Search Engine Results Page (SERP) does not only boost the e-commerce to generate traffic and leads, it also provides the authenticity customers need to identify in your business.

Search Engine Optimization (SEO)

Search engine optimization can be described as the practice of increasing the quantity and quality of traffic to a website through organic means. Organic search e-commerce SEO is pivotal to the success of any e-commerce store.

How does SEO work?

Search engines are characterized by crawlers that gather information from contents across the web. The crawlers bring the gathered information back to search engines for indexing. When an internet user types a term or keyword into the search engine, this indexed information is fed through an algorithm which in turn delivers the most relevant information possible to the user. According to Advanced Web Ranking, 67% of clicks go to the first 5 results shown in search engines. Thus, the ranking and visibility of an e-commerce website are a function of how the SEO tools are being properly used.

Encompassing Elements of SEO on a Site

1. Alt tags and descriptions.

2. Content length, uniqueness, readability.

3. Quantity and quality of links posted on the social media.

4. URL content, length, and structure.

5. Exact-match short and long-tail keywords.

6. Quantity and quality of links pointing to other pages on the website or other websites.

Some Ranking Factors for Search Engine Optimization

1. Constant production of unique contents.

2. Add keywords to image alt text.

3. Content readability with clear titles, H1s, and H2s.

4. Remove elements capable of slowing down your website.

5. Add keywords to the first and last 100 words of content on a web page.

6. Add internal links to new and relevant pages to build out the site hierarchy.

Importance of SEO

1. SEO increases organic search engine traffic. According to Databox, 90% of web pages get zero organic traffic from Google.

2. The higher your SEO score, the higher your appearance on search engines.

3. SEO increases your ranking in search results and gains more visibility online. This gives you an opportunity for potential customers to likely to click over to your site and convert.

4. It offers an engaging user experience by easily pulling the necessary information users need.

HOW TO START A RETAIL SHOP BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

A retail shop business is actually one of the oldest businesses in Nigeria today. It has been in practice for quite a while and has helped entrepreneurs in making money off the business. The business is one of the fairly easy businesses to set up as it doesn't really require any hard processes or requirements. In this business, you're in direct involvement with the final consumers and you're basically selling to them things that are essential and things they might need. Retail shops comes in different forms depending on the products sold in them but the main point is selling to final consumers. The business is one really profitable business that can fetch entrepreneurs high profits if set up well.

Just like I've mentioned, the retail shop is basically a place where consumer goods are sold or a place where most things or some of the major things needed by different consumers are sold. There are variety of products that can be sold in a retail shop and as long as the product is something with a high demand or even maybe a fair demand, then it is a good option and can definitely get in huge amounts of profit for business owners who start this type of business. Generally, retailers are individuals who are specialists in selling goods directly to final consumers. It is the main thing they do. And just like goods can be bought in bulk, it can also be bought in small quantities and this is where retail shops come in.

The retail shops, again depending of the kind of product sold, sometimes eliminate the option of going to the market by the final consumers. There are some products that are usually gotten in markets and sometimes these markets can be far and even the product to be gotten might just be in a really small quantity. With retail shops, you don't neccesarily need to go to the market as long as they sell what you want. Things like frozen food, food stuff, toiletries, confections and many more that can usually be gotten in the market are now sold in retail shops and individuals can just visit the ones nearest to them rather than go to a large market to get the same products.

HOW TO START A REAL ESTATE COMPANY BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

The real estate industry is a really big industry that is fast becoming one of the best options for business owners to invest. It is a really lucrative sector that brings entrepreneurs and people in the sector with large profits as big as millions when properly set up and depending on the properties and the place where the business is located. There are also a number of options for individuals and it is a business option for almost anybody as long as they work in the category or option that best suits them.

The real estate business typically involves providing housing facilities for individuals who are willing to get them. Housing or rather shelter is one major basic need of individuals and the real estate business provides people with the opportunity to get the kind of house they like under the best possible conditions. The business is a really lucrative one and like I've mentioned, it's a basic need for individuals so they'll surely be looking to get a house and your business will help them in securing a good place.

While providing housing opportunities might be the main part of the business, it also has a number of options for individuals willing to also get into the sector but are without sufficient capital or maybe they want to explore the options they have. The options from this industry includes building and being in charge of the properties, which makes you the landlord and the sole owner of your property. Also, there is the option of managing the properties for the landlords or property owners and lastly, you can also be an agent to help individuals get a suitable building and simultaneously help property owners get clients.

HOW TO START A PHONE AND OTHER GADGETS SALE IN NIGERIA

The technology sector is one of the biggest in the world that offers a lot of business prospects that are usually lucrative to entrepreneurs who start the business. The invention or introduction of certain technological devices have made things a lot more easier than it used to be. Things like smartphones, for instance, are very useful for almost every individual as they can easily do many things with the device that could normally take a long time and even too many complex equipments. This, of course, offers a good business option for individuals to deal in the sale of these devices as they have a very good demand for the products and this makes it a good business idea.

The sale of smartphones and other devices, just like the name implies, simply involves selling the named products and some other devices like computers, laptops, Television sets, and many more like that to customers who are willing to buy. The market for these products is quite well established and it is even becoming one of the fast rising businesses in the country today with many entrepreneurs looking at the massive potentials in the industry. The business is a really lucrative one and one that will definitely bring in huge amounts of profits if things are properly put in place and this is because of the high demand for products of that kind.

Like I've mentioned, there are variety of products that can be sold during the practice of this business and they are generally things that are in regular use by people. Phones, of course, are one of the most used things in the world and it's almost so hard to find someone who's not using it. Laptops are another thing that are quite popularly used for the business. It is also used by many people for different tasks. The two devices, phones and laptops, take a huge part of the business and other things like Television sets, Sound Systems, video games, and so on can now come into context.

HOW TO START A COMPUTER SCHOOL BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

A computer school business is one of the highly promising businesses in the country today with huge prospects of making profits for years to come. It's not really a new business but it is one that increasingly growing and gaining prominence in the country. Since the advent of technology, almost everything has become digital and the need to become aware and knowledgeable on how to operate the computer and also perform some specific functions on it is increasingly growing. A large amount of people still do not know how to operate the device pretty well and that makes the business a really nice option for business owners who want to start the business.

The business involves opening up or setting up a place where individuals will be able to come and learn and be equipped with basic skills relating to the computer. It can be set in a school format or just a regular training center. At this place, individuals can learn how to properly operate a computer or laptop and how they can go about some of the functions that the device has. Since the invention of computer, and especially in this 21st century where everyone is required to have a good knowledge of these kind of things, the need for this kind of training has become increasingly important and it offers individuals with a chance to get it done in a conducive atmosphere without any issues.

The world today, has given a lot of importance to the need to get equipped with basic computer knowledge. Most of the jobs that would normally not require the need for it have started migrating to the use of it and it has become a neccesary requirement to be a computer literate before you get such jobs. Teachers, Engineers, Bankers and almost every other profession now makes use of the device to go about their normal daily activities. This leaves individuals who do not posses these basic skills with no other choice than to learn it to be able to keep their jobs. Computers and its functions makes things very easy and that is why many companies are now applying it at their place of work.

HOW TO START AN ONLINE FOOD STORE BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

In recent times, online businesses have quite become the main focus for many entrepreneurs. An online business, not only removes the option of having a location for your business but it comes with a couple of benefits that makes starting a business online very comfortable. Many people today spend time on their smartphones or computers and the social media world is becoming even larger, making business thrive easily in the space. The online space is also welcoming for typically almost all businesses and one of such is the online food business which is still a pretty much new business and one with a huge prospect for future entrepreneurs to try

The same way a restaurant can be operated in a physical space, a similar thing can be operated online except you can't have people sit and eat online. The online business allows individuals to make orders for food made by experts and get them delivered to them without having to go out. Some restaurants run this kind of method of operating but again, with the business being online, you don't need to get a place, instead you can make the food from your home and send it to your customers who are willing to buy.

For online business owners, it eliminates the option of having to get a location where the business can operate. Food is very essential and everyone eats. While cooking might be an extremely complex and stressful chore for some, others are sometimes in positions or places where they can't cook, work maybe and with this, an online food store becomes a good option to get food especially if they can't leave their work place. All they'll need to do is to make an order and the food can then be delivered to them.

HOW TO START AN ONLINE CLOTHING STORE BUSINESS

Most businesses in the 21st century have gone from having physical stores to actually operating online. This is of course, due to the fact that options are now available that makes it easy for individuals to actively run their businesses online without any issues and also decreasing the amount of work done especially as having a physical store involves even more work than doing it online. Almost everything done in a physical store can be done online and even easier. Infact, almost all businesses can be operated online as long as it able to reach its target audience online and also provide ways they can transact business. One of the most popular businesses that is practiced online is the online clothing store business.

An online clothing store is simply a clothing store online. Clothes get to be displayed to customers, they can buy it and have it delivered to them without moving or going anywhere to get it. Even as entrepreneurs or business owners, you don't need to go anywhere or meet with the customer to get them their products. Everything is strictly done online and no physical interaction whatsoever is needed from both the seller and the buyer. The seller will of course need to get the products, and that is when they'll need to move during the course of the business.

The business is one of the most popular and profitable businesses practiced online. Clothes are worn by everyone everyday to go about their daily activities. Individuals will at one point or the other need to get clothes and rather than go through stress of looking for a physical store or a place where clothes are sold, they can just get them online. The business is a really profitable business and once the business is started and marketed well, you'll definitely start getting your customers in no time and start making the profits.

HOW TO START A LOGISTICS BUSINESS IN NIGERIA

The logistics business is one of the fast rising and lucrative businesses in the country today. Things need to be moved from one place to another and that's how this business comes into being. It provides individuals with an opportunity to send goods or products from one place to another without having to do it themselves or going to a distance to get the goods transferred. The business is fast rising and becoming one of the bright business prospects in the Nigerian business world today. The demand for the services from this business is increasing by the day and it could also make individuals who venture into it get huge amounts of profits if properly set up.

The logistics business simply involves the transfer or movement of goods or products from the point of origin to the comfort of the final consumers. It simply means helping with the transfer of a product from one of place to another.For example, if Mr A has something to send to Mr B and the both live far apart from each other, they can just hire a logistics company to send someone to pick up the product from Mr A and hand it over to Mr B without stress or having to go through any issue in getting the product to the required destination. The business is something that has been in practice for a very long time even though not for business activities.

With many businesses setting up online and having all their operations done remotely, there will definitely be need at one point or the other to get final products to consumers and in doing that, logistics companies come in handy to help sort this issue. Stores and several other types of online businesses are opening up and some of them involve actual goods that needs to be in the hands of a consumer such as food stuffs, clothes, bags and so on. To ensure easy distribution or transfer of the product in question, you'll need to hire someone who can help deliver the goods as it will be extremely stressful to do it all by yourself and even if you choose to, orders come from different places. That's how the logistics business comes in for a business like this. It is complementary to online business.