Small Business Shops Online: A Guide to Selling and Shopping

Selling online can be a game-changer for small businesses, with 75% of online shoppers preferring to shop from smaller businesses.

In the US alone, there are over 30 million small businesses, many of which are now selling online. This shift has been driven by the fact that online shopping is more convenient, with 71% of online shoppers saying they prefer to shop online because it saves them time.

To set up an online shop, you'll need to choose an e-commerce platform, such as Shopify or WooCommerce, which can be set up in as little as 15 minutes. Once you've got your platform, you can start adding products, which can be done in just a few clicks.

By selling online, small businesses can reach a global audience, with 61% of online shoppers saying they shop online because it allows them to access products they can't find in stores.

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Facebook Shops is a great online shopping platform for small businesses. Creating a Facebook Shop is free and simple, making it accessible to businesses of any size or budget.

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You can find Facebook Shops on a business' Facebook Page or Instagram profile, or discover them through stories or ads. Businesses can customize the look and feel of their shop with a cover image and accent colors that showcase their brand.

Facebook Shops make it easy for customers to browse the full collection, save products they're interested in, and place an order either on the business' website or without leaving the app if the business has enabled checkout in the US.

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E-commerce features are the backbone of any successful online shop. They can make or break the customer experience, and ultimately, the sale.

A secure payment gateway is a must-have for any online shop, as it ensures customers' sensitive information is protected. According to research, 75% of customers will abandon their shopping cart if they don't feel secure making a payment online.

Having a user-friendly checkout process can also make a huge difference, with 60% of customers citing ease of checkout as a top priority when shopping online. This can be achieved by minimizing the number of steps required to complete a purchase and using clear, concise language on the checkout page.

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Amazon Launchpad is a platform that supports new businesses, launched in 2015.

It's a great place to discover unique items from smaller brands, with a focus on innovation.

The Launchpad provides expert advice, visibility, and other forms of support to help new businesses overcome challenges.

This platform enables hundreds of thousands of small companies to sustain or even grow their sales during difficult times, like the COVID-19 pandemic.

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E-commerce websites often offer exclusive deals to their customers, and one of the most popular types of offers is coupons. You can find a variety of coupons on e-commerce websites, including discounts on popular brands like Dell and Samsung.

Dell is currently offering a 10% off coupon code for new customers, which can be a great way to save money on your next purchase. I've seen this offer work for many people, and it's a great way to try out a new product without breaking the bank.

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Samsung is also offering a 10% off promo code for TVs, which can be a fantastic deal for anyone in the market for a new TV. This offer is available to anyone, not just new customers.

If you're in the market for a business PC, HP is offering an extra 5% off with their coupon code. This can be a great way to save money on a high-quality business PC.

Canon is also offering a 10% off promo code, but with an upgrade, which can be a great way to save money on a new camera or printer.

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If you're looking for a variety of products from small business shops online, you'll be happy to know that there are shops that cater to different interests. For instance, if you're a foodie, you can find everything from gourmet popcorn to handmade candies.

Some shops specialize in specific categories, such as Kitchen Kettle Village, which offers a wide range of products including canned goods, jams, olive oils, spices, baked goods, and more. Others focus on clothing and accessories, like Boutique 1780, which features women's boutique with sizes small to 3x.

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You can also find shops that offer a variety of products under one roof, such as Happy Happy Joy Joy, which is located at 157 East King Street in Lancaster, PA. For a list of some of the small business shops that offer a variety of products, check out the following table:

Note: The table only includes three shops, but there are many more shops that offer a variety of products.

Culinary delights abound in Lancaster County, and you'll find a variety of shops to satisfy your cravings.

Kitchen Kettle Village is a treasure trove of gourmet goods, offering canned goods, jams, olive oils, spices, baked goods, and more. You can also find high-quality cast iron and other kitchen essentials at Lancaster Cast Iron.

Lancaster Distilleries is a must-visit for spirits enthusiasts, with distilled spirits and mixers available. For a more laid-back experience, head to Seasons Olive Oil & Vinegar Taproom, where you can sample all things olive oil and spices.

If you're in the mood for something sweet, check out S. Clyde Weaver's gift packs featuring meats, cheeses, and other treats. Alternatively, visit Uncle Leroy's Candy Kitchen for handcrafted fudge and brittles.

Some of the top culinary shops in the area include:

If you're looking for unique clothing and accessories, Lititz has you covered. Here, you'll find a wide range of options to suit every style and preference.

Angry Young and Poor is a great destination for all things punk, offering clothing, accessories, and vinyls. Boutique 1780, on the other hand, caters to women with sizes small to 3x.

Charlotte Shoppe is a women's apparel store that also sells handbags and jewelry. Chyatee is known for its colorful and sustainable fashion. Earth to Lititz is a sustainable shop focused on apparel, footwear, and accessories.

j.a. Sharp Custom Jeweler creates made-in-PA jewelry, while Hamilton Watch Company is the only boutique in the US that historically crafts beautiful watches in Lancaster. Larkstone offers functional clothing and accessories for city living.

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Marie & Z Boutique provides affordable, stylish women's clothing. My Aunt Debbie sells pop culture-inspired jewelry and art. Pursenality Handbag Shop offers affordable designer handbags.

Redeux Vintage is a boutique that connects the past and present through its vintage clothing offerings. The Tattered Shirt sells Lititz-branded apparel and accessories. The Main Street Exchange offers modern, modest women's clothing.

Three Little Birds Boutique is a women's boutique that also provides stylist services. Urban Southern creates handmade and high-quality leather goods. Vicious Circle Vintage sells vintage clothing for all folks.

Here are some of the clothing and accessories stores in Lititz, grouped by type:

Depop, Poshmark, and Etsy are popular platforms for buying pre-loved and vintage items. These platforms have made it easier than ever to find unique and one-of-a-kind pieces.

Depop has over 15 million active users, making it a great place to find rare and hard-to-find items. You can often find high-end designer items at a fraction of the original price.

Poshmark has a strong focus on community and social interaction, with many users sharing their personal style and fashion choices. This makes it easier to discover new brands and styles.

Etsy is the largest marketplace for vintage and handmade items, with over 40 million active listings. You can find everything from antique furniture to vintage clothing.

Buying pre-loved and vintage items on these platforms can be a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly option. By reusing and repurposing existing items, we can reduce waste and minimize our impact on the environment.

Depop allows sellers to list items quickly and easily, making it a great platform for those who want to declutter their closets and make some extra cash.

Social media integration is a game-changer for small business shops online. You can find and support local businesses by using hashtags like #handmade, #shoplocal, and #supportsmall on Instagram and TikTok.

With Facebook Shops, businesses can set up a single online store for customers to access on both Facebook and Instagram, making it easy for anyone to bring their business online and connect with customers. Creating a Facebook Shop is free and simple, and businesses can customize the look and feel of their shop with a cover image and accent colors.

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Facebook Shops are rolling out now, and you can find them on a business' Facebook Page or Instagram profile, or discover them through stories or ads. People can browse the full collection, save products, and place an order without leaving the app if the business has enabled checkout in the US.

You can also use Instagram to shop for products directly from Posts or Reels made by small brands, and a "View Shop" button takes you directly to their shop on the platform. Instagram makes it easy to tap and shop for products from small brands you know or discover new ones on the "Explore" page.

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You can shop on Etsy for unique items directly from artisans from around the world. Etsy has changed its policy to allow sellers to use outside manufacturers, but you can filter your results by "made by", "designed by", "handpicked by", and "sourced by" for more transparency.

Etsy is not what it once was, but it's still a great place to find one-of-a-kind items. Try doing a reverse image search on the item you're interested in to see if it turns up on mass-market sites.

Depop and Poshmark are also great options for shopping second-hand or vintage items from home. You can create a profile to shop for or sell vintage or pre-loved clothes on these platforms.

If you're looking for vintage or pre-loved items, you can also check out Etsy, which has a vintage section. Sellers on Etsy can offer vintage items beyond just clothing, such as holiday ornaments.

Lancaster, Pennsylvania is home to a thriving small business community, with many shops and stores selling unique products online. Lancaster is known for its rich history and cultural heritage.

The city's central market has been in operation since 1730, and its vendors sell everything from handmade crafts to local produce. This long history of entrepreneurship has created a fertile ground for small businesses to flourish.

Many Lancaster businesses have successfully adapted to the shift to online shopping, with some even reporting a significant increase in sales since going online.

As a small business owner in Lancaster, you're probably looking for ways to grow your online presence. We're working with partners like Shopify and BigCommerce to give you the support you need to succeed.

These organizations offer powerful tools to help entrepreneurs start and run their businesses and move online. Shopify, for example, provides a platform to create an online store and manage inventory.

By partnering with these companies, you'll have access to a range of tools to help you build and grow your Facebook Shop and use other commerce tools. This is a game-changer for small businesses like yours.

CedCommerce, another partner, specializes in helping businesses move their online stores to new platforms. This can be a huge relief if you're struggling to manage your current setup.

ChannelAdvisor and Feedonomics are also part of our partner network, providing tools to help you manage your online sales and inventory. With these tools, you'll be able to focus on what matters most – growing your business.

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Lancaster is a city that truly celebrates the arts, and you can experience it firsthand by visiting the various galleries and studios that call the city home. Curio. Gallery & Creative Supply is a must-visit for any art enthusiast, offering a wide range of art supplies and books to inspire your creativity.

One of the most impressive things about Lancaster's art scene is the diversity of styles and mediums on display. You can find everything from original paintings to hand-painted wooden bowls at the galleries and studios.

If you're looking for a unique shopping experience, be sure to check out Gallery on Market, where you can find hand-painted wooden bowls that make perfect gifts or additions to your own home decor.

Lancaster also has a strong focus on community and inclusivity, as seen in the work of Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio, a creative arts studio for adults with intellectual disabilities.

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Some of the top artists to look out for in Lancaster include Curio. Gallery & Creative Supply, Freiman Stoltzfus, Friendship Heart Gallery & Studio, Gallery on Market, Julia Swartz Gallery, Keisha Finnie Art, Liz Hess Gallery, and Red Raven Art Company.

Here are some of the top galleries and studios to visit in Lancaster: