How to Start Ghost Commerce in UK?

Ghost commerce is a fun game in the world of e-commerce. These days, they are calling it the “Swiss Army Knife” of the business world. Sharp as it may be, ghost commerce can be your ticket to a multi-faceted, versatile revenue stream. 

Some of you might have seen it being linked to affiliate marketing. You can say it’s much larger than that. It's an entire new type of digital business capitalising on the power of recommendation and influence​​. Today, we'll talk about the steps you must take to launch your Ghost Commerce business in the UK, detailing effective strategies and practical tips for success. So buckle up, and let's dive in!

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What is Ghost Commerce?

For those of you who haven’t read our last blog that detailed the why and how of ghost commerce, we will take a revision class.

Ghost Commerce is a business type where you market and sell goods without owning a physical store. It's a blend of dropshipping, affiliate marketing, and influencer marketing, where you promote products owned by others and earn a commission on sales. 

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Why Choose Ghost Commerce?

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High Earning Potential: The income potential in Ghost Commerce is substantial, with there being no limits.

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Low Risk and Cost: It requires minimal upfront investment, as there is no need for product creation, inventory, or customer service​​.

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Flexibility: This model allows you to work from anywhere with an internet connection.

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Starting Your Ghost Commerce Business

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1. Finding Your Niche 

Select a niche that you're passionate about and knowledgeable in. Perform keyword research and assess the market size, competition, and monetization potential​​.

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2. Branding and Domain Selection 

Choose a brand and domain name that reflects your identity and values. Ensure it's catchy, relevant, and SEO-friendly​​. Consider using SHOPLINE UK to create your online presence.

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3. Website Setup 

Use platforms like WordPress for a user-friendly and customizable website. Ensure your website is aesthetically pleasing and easy to navigate​​.

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4. Joining Affiliate Programs 

Partner with companies through affiliate programs like Amazon Associates or Commission Junction to gain access to unique tracking links​​.

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5. Content Creation 

Create engaging, well-researched content to establish trust and credibility. To streamline content creation, utilize tools like Jasper or Writesonic​​.

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6. Driving Traffic 

Develop a robust SEO strategy and use social media engagement and email marketing to drive traffic to your site​​.

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7. Performance Monitoring 

Use analytic tools like Google Analytics and MonsterInsights to track and evaluate your affiliate marketing efforts​​.

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8. Expanding and Boosting Income 

Expand your business by joining more affiliate programs, exploring new niches, and refining your marketing strategies​​.

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Advanced Tips for Success

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Every business comes with insider tips that have been collated by those who have experienced success (or even failures with respect to what-not-to-do). Let’s find out what you should do and what you must avoid. 

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• Find High-Demand Niches: Use tools like Google Trends to identify popular niches​​.

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• Build Strong Relationships with Brands: This is key to earning commissions and growing your business​​.

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• Comply with Laws: Ensure adherence to UK tax and consumer privacy laws​​.

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History of Ghost Commerce

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Ghost commerce is a relatively new term, but it all started with …surprise….the food business. 

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Ghost Kitchens: These are commercial cooking spaces rented by either established restaurants or startups to prepare delivery-only meals. They've become increasingly popular with the rise of food delivery apps. 

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Some of the initial businesses in this area include:

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• CloudKitchens: Founded by Travis Kalanick, the former CEO of Uber, CloudKitchens provides kitchen spaces for restaurants focusing on delivery.

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• Kitchen United: This kitchen-as-a-service company provides optimized kitchen spaces for restaurants to prepare delivery and takeout orders.

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• Reef Technology: They transform urban spaces like parking lots into delivery kitchen hubs.

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Another aspect of ghost commerce is dropshipping businesses.

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Dropshipping: This is a retail fulfillment method where a store doesn't keep the products it sells in stock. Instead, when a store sells a product, it purchases the item from a third party and has it shipped directly to the customer. Some popular platforms and businesses in this area include:

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• Oberlo: Integrated with Shopify, Oberlo allows you to easily import dropshipped products into your e-commerce store and ship them directly to your customers.

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• AliExpress: A popular choice for dropshipping, AliExpress offers a wide range of products from Chinese suppliers.

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• SaleHoo: This wholesale and dropship directory connects drop shippers to suppliers.

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Conclusion

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Ghost Commerce offers an innovative, flexible, and lucrative business model that's perfect for the digital age. With the right approach, it can be a significant source of income, allowing you to work on your terms and from any location. Remember, success in Ghost Commerce requires dedication, continuous learning, and strategy optimization.

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Embark on your Ghost Commerce journey today with SHOPLINE UK, and unleash the potential of this dynamic digital business model!

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