Did you know that 33% of all purchases occur online now? 

This means that if you don’t have an online presence, there’s a huge possibility that you’re missing out on a third of all potential customers.

Consequently—and as retail evolves—more brick-and-mortar businesses are jumping to ecommerce. It just provides more new opportunities to growth, broader market reach, and streamlined operations. 

But it also comes with challenges. So in this article, we’ll cover the steps you’ll need to take to smoothly transition from brick-and-mortar to ecommerce. And start making sales.

Why You Should Go From Brick and Mortar to Ecommerce?

Let’s start with this stat: The global eCommerce market is expected to rise to almost $7 trillion by the end of 2025. It’s a big market that’s only getting bigger. 

The ecommerce opens your business to new revenue streams compared to storefront only. 

You’ll be less limited by geography (or operating hours), which should help you reach customers 24/7, across the country—or even globe. 

On top of that, ecommerce provides better customer data. You can track, collect, and use this data to market your business to similar audiences online, acquiring new customers.

Operational costs? Lower. Scalability? Higher. With the right strategy and a smooth transition, you can grow fast and experiment with state-of-the-art marketing strategies. Plus, you’ll future-proof your business in an increasingly digital world.

Common Challenges of Transitioning to an Online Store

If it’s easy, you wouldn’t need to read this article.

Ecommerce offers plenty of perks, but the transition can have some hurdles. Selling stuff offline and online are two completely different things so it’s best to know stuff in advance.

For example, you’ll get in touch with new technology and online tools which doesn’t come natural to everyone. 

Logistics can also be a problem, with managing shipping, inventory, and customer service being a bit more complex online than “in the flesh.” 

There’s also the challenge of building online traffic and finding your place in a competitive online marketplace—where you’re technically competing with every similar online company in the world.

How to Transition From Traditional Stores to Ecommerce

We’ve created a simple five-step checklist that should help you set up your first online store. 

Let’s check it out.

Step One: Evaluate If You’re Ready For Ecommerce

Before jumping in, assess whether ecommerce aligns with your business goals and customer base. 

Evaluate whether your products appeal to online shoppers and if there’s sufficient digital demand. Conduct surveys or use tools to gauge customer interest in online purchasing. 

Also, ask yourself this:

Do you have the inventory capacity to handle online demand? Can your team manage online orders, customer support, and digital marketing?

Bottom line: Start by researching your competitors, identifying market demand, and ensuring you have the resources (time, money, people) to make the switch. 

Step Two: Choose the Right Ecommerce Platform

Once you’ve confirmed your readiness, selecting the right ecommerce platform is critical. 

This isn’t just about hosting your products—it’s about building a digital storefront that mirrors your brand’s in-store experience while streamlining operations.

What you should consider: Look at scalability, ease of use, and integrations with tools like payment gateways, shipping providers, and inventory management systems. 

For example, platforms that support mobile-responsive designs ensure your site adapts seamlessly to smartphones, a must in today’s mobile-first shopping landscape 

Which platforms to consider? We have a few suggestions:

• Shopify: Ideal for beginners, Shopify offers drag-and-drop templates, built-in SEO tools, and integrations with social media and third-party apps. Its user-friendly interface lets you launch quickly without coding expertise.
• WooCommerce: A WordPress plugin, WooCommerce suits businesses already using WordPress. It’s highly customizable and integrates with existing websites, making it a strong choice for hybrid brick-and-click models.
• BigCommerce: Geared toward scaling businesses, BigCommerce includes advanced features like product reviews, gift wrapping, and multi-currency support. It’s a solid pick for brands aiming to expand globally.

Of course, we’re a Shopify marketing agency and as such, we always recommend and help users set up their first Shopify store.

Final Tip: Test platforms with a free trial or demo. Prioritize platforms that align with your growth goals—whether you’re starting small or planning rapid expansion. Avoid overcomplicating things: simplicity often wins in the early stages. Pinky promise.

Step Three: Build and Optimize Your Online Store

One thing to keep in mind is that your online store is your digital storefront. 

And just as your brick-and-mortar store needs constant maintenance and polishing, so does your online website.

Here are a few tips:

• Design for Trust and Ease: Start with a clean, intuitive design that mirrors your brand’s in-store personality. Use high-quality product images and detailed descriptions to compensate for the lack of in-person interaction. Ensure seamless navigation.
• Optimize For Mobile: Over 60% of online purchases happen on mobile devices. Test your site on smartphones to ensure layouts adapt, buttons are tappable, and checkout flows smoothly. Slow load times? Optimize images and leverage platform tools to boost speed.
• Optimize for SEO: Your physical store relies on foot traffic; your online store needs search visibility. Use keywords customers might type (e.g., “eco-friendly slippers”) in product titles and descriptions. Shopify has built-in SEO tools, for instance.
• Streamline Checkout: Cart abandonment rates soar when checkout is clunky. Offer guest checkout, auto-fill addresses, and clear shipping cost visibility upfront. Add trust badges (e.g., SSL security, payment method logos) to reduce hesitation.

If this all sounds too complicated, hit us up.

Step Four: Set Up and Sync Online and Offline Processes

This transition doesn’t mean you’ll have to abandon your physical store. 

Quite the contrary—iit means creating a unified experience. 

Start by syncing inventory systems to avoid overselling or stockouts. Use third party tools to track stock in real time across both channels. 

For hybrid models, consider offering in-store pickup for online orders (BOPIS), which boosts foot traffic and reduces shipping costs.

Train staff to handle dual operations: they’ll need to manage online orders, process returns, and answer customer queries via email or chat. You can use platform integrations to streamline repetitive tasks, like printing shipping labels or updating inventory.

Customer service also requires alignment. 

Ensure policies like returns or exchanges are consistent online and offline. Use shared customer databases to personalize interactions—recognizing a repeat buyer’s preferences, whether they shop in-store or online, builds loyalty.

Finally, leverage your physical store as a marketing tool. Promote your website in-store with QR codes or flyers, and vice versa—use email campaigns to drive foot traffic. 

By treating online and offline as complementary channels, you’ll create a seamless, omnichannel experience that keeps customers engaged wherever they shop.

Step Five: Market Your Ecommerce Store 

After all is said and done, t’s time to drive traffic and sales. 

Start by attracting visitors through SEO, social media, and paid ads. Optimize product pages with keywords and leverage platforms like TikTok or Instagram to showcase products in action. 

Then, convert visitors by ensuring mobile-friendly designs, simplifying checkout, and using pop-ups or discounts to nudge hesitant shoppers. 

Build loyalty through personalized emails, loyalty programs, and user-generated content. 

Track analytics to refine strategies—double down on high-performing channels like email campaigns or sms campaigns for ecommerce. 

Blend these tactics to turn browsers into loyal customers and sustain growth in a competitive market.

Monitor performance and adjust your strategy using analytics tools to improve reach and conversion

Physical vs Online Store: Key Differences

When comparing physical and online stores, key differences arise in cost structure, customer interaction, and scalability.

 Physical stores incur expenses like rent and utilities, while ecommerce businesses focus on platform fees and shipping costs. 

In-store experiences rely on face-to-face service, while online stores must build trust through clear policies, fast responses, and UX. 

However, ecommerce offers scalability with fewer barriers. You can test new products quickly and reach broader audiences without needing more physical space. 

Still, ecommerce demands strong logistics and digital know-how. Understanding these differences helps you prepare mentally and operationally for the shift.

From Bricks to Riches

Transitioning from brick-and-mortar to ecommerce is more than a leap. In fact, you can call it a full-on digital dive. 

However, with the right platform, seamless operations, and savvy marketing, you can become a part of a global market without geographical (or temporal) barriers). 

So while the process may have its challenges, the rewards are well worth the sweat and clicks.

And if you need any help in this important step—feel free to reach out. We have helped many brands make this jump seamlessly.