When we talk about Movement Control order (MCO), the first thing we can relate is panic buying. People keep stocking up their food supply, raw material, homeware, and even skincare.

We always have that mission to help businesses grow online, and at this tough period, we're committed to making it easier for traditional businesses to start selling on their online store.

We've discovered some of the newly joined merchants and would like to highlight some to you as a reference.

1. Pgeon Mart by Pgeon 

Featuring available sellers in Penang, Klang Valley and Johor Bahru to ease consumers that looking for food.

2. BONFISKEN DELI

You don't have to wait for Facebook Live, you can buy seafood on the internet anytime.

3. Stayzon

Despite the food supply, people look for hand sanitizer too. They specialize in their pocket-size hand sanitizer which is safe for children.

In this post, we going to cover:

• Checklist before launching your online store
• Quick setup for your online store

Checklist before launching your online store

1. List down 3 preferred domain names

Get yourself to think of 3 domain names for your business, in case any of them is taken, you still have options.

2. Prepare your product images

No professional camera needed. Use your mobile phone and find good lighting (perhaps your garden) to take photos of your products.

3. Prepare your product information

Customers would like to know what they're buying from you, well-prepared product description can reduce your customer service workload.

4. Prepare your business document

Make sure you have your business registration copy (SSM), and company bank account statement (latest 3 months). It will be used for payment gateway account application.

5. List down your customers' FAQ 

You definitely have your top 10 questions being asked by customers. List them down and you going to show it on your online store.

6.  Prepare your business logo

You will need to display it on your online store, it represents your brand. 

Quick setup for your online store

1. Sign up an account

Sign up an account here: www.easystore.co, enjoy a free account to start selling.

Tips: Choose a proper store name, you can't change it later.

2. Pick a theme for your business

Go to Online Store > Themes > Customize > Save once the settings are done

Tips 1: We have pre-installed a theme for you, you can remain using it or change to another theme (browse more free themes).

Tips 2: This is where you will need to upload your business logo, choose your brand colour, so your store design fits your brand.

Tips 3: You can preview your store in mobile, tablet and desktop view.

3. Start uploading your products

This is where you key in your product name, image, description, price. 

Tips 1: Most of the EasyStore themes come with auto-crop function, you don't have to waste time cropping your photos.

Tips 2: Use bulk-upload function if you have more than 50 products.

Tips 3: Categorize your products in the different collection for easy-browsing experience

Tips 4: Write your product description as detailed as possible, it replaced your salesman.

4. Set up your payment method

Payment method setup in EasyStore is as easy as our brand name. Choose your payment method: Manual or Auto payment. 

In this critical period, we suggest auto-payment by the payment gateway. You got no time checking your bank account to verify customer's payment. 

Over 40+ integrated payment partners, we have our list of recommended payment gateways:-

Fast approval within 1 day: senangPay (50% off on senangPay advanced plan for EasyStore merchants)

Lowest transaction fee: Billplz (RM 1.50 per online banking transaction)

Fastest approval: Stripe (instant approval)

Free account for EasyStore's subscribers: iPay88 & eGHL.

Tips 1: You will get your integration ID/key from the payment gateway after your account is approved. Insert the key to your EasyStore payment setting. Read more Payment guides.

5. Set up your shipping method

We're almost done. Now, set up how you going to dispatch the parcels to your customers. Same question again, manual or auto shipping method? 

Manual shipping method setup requires you to set up the shipping rate by your own, and fill in the tracking info to update the order status. 

As for auto shipping method, it's what we called third-party integration. It will auto calculate the real-time shipping rate from the courier service, and it will auto-fill your customer shipping details when you fulfil an order. No hand-written work, just print out the airway bill and attach to the parcel.

Third-party integration available in Malaysia: EasyParcel, Lalamove, Ninjavan, CollectCo.

Tips 1: Offer free shipping can increase your conversion rate.

Tips 2: You can offer free shipping to specific product in EasyStore.

Tips 3: Read more Shipping guides.

6. Add in necessary pages

We reminded you to prepare your FAQ. Now it's time to display it on your online store.

If you have other pages like About Us, Shipping info, Size guide to add, you're at the right place.

Go to Online Store > Pages > Add page

Tips 1: You can choose where the page be displayed: Main menu, footer, or as a hidden page.

Tips 2: You can create your desired landing page as we provide an editor for you to customize the page.

7. Place a test order on your store

Go through the entire process before your customers. Go to your store, place an order and proceed checkout. Did you successfully checkout? Yes? You're good to launch your online store now! No? Having issue with your setup? Talk to our guru team, we will try our best to assist you at our soonest and help you to launch your online store asap. 

Now, start moving! We're ready to help you go through this tough time and can't wait to see you launch your online store with us. 

Wish to contact us? Email us at hi@easystore.co or reach us via WhatsApp message. 

Useful article:

Online Store Advanced Setup For Food & Beverage Business