Whenever people think of starting a business, a print on demand t-shirt company definitely pops up on the list. A POD business looks fun and cool, and to some extent, you are right. Having your brand, being your own boss, creating your own product design; that's all great, isn't it? No need to carry inventory, low startup costs, and fast shipping are some of the reasons why POD has become popular amongst budding entrepreneurs. But as exciting as it may sound, to get the ball rolling you need to consider various points.

POD is a real business and if you don't treat it like that, your chances of starting a flourishing business become bleak. It is an effective e-commerce model that acts as a strong competitor against other business ideas. A POD platform works differently in comparison to conventional e-commerce models. Before you start attracting customers to your store, understand how POD works and read these tips to run a successful online business.

A general outline of how a POD business works

    •  To start a POD business, create an online store and integrate it with an e-commerce platform, like Shopify, WooCommerce or Etsy.           

    •  Either your own printing facility or partner with a printing company that offers dropshipping services.

    •  If you don't have an online store, don't panic. There are specific platforms that allow you to create an online store using their platform.

    •  Once you have created your online store, open it to the world.

But starting a print-on-demand store is not enough to increase your website traffic and reach that profit margin. Learn certain tricks and hacks. Let's explore the factors you need to consider to take your business to the zenith.

Always think like your customers

We have all heard the phrase "the customer is king"; this holds true for online as well as a brick and mortar business. To run a successful POD business, get inside your customer's head. Know what your customers are, their likes and dislikes. What are their biggest issues and greatest concerns? With detailed information about your customers, create designs that will appeal to them and they would be ready to pay for. The secret behind running a successful business is to know your customers.

Help customers to visualize products

What’s the one thing that compels customers to hit the back button? After asking this question to a group of customers, we found that the inability to understand the product is the main reason for the loss of sales opportunity. If customers are unable to picture the product in their minds and see themselves wearing it or using it, they are not going to buy it. That's the last thing you want your customers to do. Use mockups to avoid such situations. If you sell t-shirts, use a t-shirt template and mockup to create products that your consumers can easily view, giving them an idea of how the product will look.  

Add a maximum of five product variants

Without any doubt, offering variations and multiple options to customers will increase your sales.  Offering different colors and sizes that encourage customers to spend more money can increase your profit margin. However, there comes a point when too many options annoy customers. The aim is to sell products to customers and not confuse them with too many choices; they may feel an analysis paralysis, a feeling where customers struggle to make a decision. Too many colors or designs will leave customers feeling overwhelmed, leading to customers not buying anything. Understand that not every design looks good in every color.

Avoid copyrights and check if written phrases are trademarked

Have you spotted a design that you want to sell or test in your store but are not sure whether it will work, and sure if the product is copyrighted? If any artwork is subjected to copyright, it's better not to use it; you don't want to come under the red flag of the authority. According to copyright laws, you can't duplicate the same design and sell it in your store. However, you can use a design for inspiration and create your own version of it.

Have lifestyle images of products

It’s better to use lifestyle photos rather than just mockups on a white background of your products. Lifestyle images of products are a great way to attract customers and increase engagement, boosting your sales. However, it doesn't mean you have to take photos of yourself wearing the t-shirts and uploading them. Use the services of Placeit to create larger-than-life lifestyle images in a hassle-free manner.

With these tips, you are all set to start your POD store and get your business rolling. Offer an expansive range of products, including designer coffee mugs online, to attract your target audience.