For decades, people have worn T-shirts to express their personalities, beliefs, interests and associations. This trend is certainly not slowing down now or any time in the future. In addition to this, there are new developments that have made it easier than ever to design and print various T-shirt designs. All in all, selling clothes online is now a very popular business venture. It allows people to combine creativity with entrepreneurship to build online businesses. Here’s how to build an online T-shirt business using Shopify:
Choose your niche
Because technology has made it so easy to design, print and ship clothing, there are many entrepreneurs entering the field. In such a crowded environment, it’s important to stand out. If you try to appeal to the masses, that won’t happen. Leave that to the Wal-Mart of the industry. Instead, find a specific audience that you can focus on.
Even so, be careful not to spread it too far. For example, a sports-themed outfit can be too broad. On the other hand, if you’ve designed a line of T-shirts that celebrate the fact that MLB teams no longer exist, you can take advantage of the retro trend.
How do you know if your niche is viable
Unfortunately, just because you’re a fan of something doesn’t mean it has enough of an audience to support a viable business. Before you commit, do some research. First, check social media sites. Are there active Facebook groups related to the market segment you are considering? What about related hashtags on Instagram? Finally, examine the Subreddits relevant to your niche market. Do they exist? Are they active? Ideally, you want to pursue a niche market that has already generated some health interest.
Your T-shirt design must be the best
To gain traction, your design needs to be unique and high quality. Now, you don’t have to have the most gorgeous designs, but they should not be available anywhere but your store. They should also resonate with your target audience.
There are some very technical considerations that you may or may not be prepared to deal with on your own. If you are not, consider a vendor that specializes in designs that interest you, such as vintage T-shirt design, promotional T-shirts, or fan shirts. By doing so, you may find that you have more time to focus on customer service and other front-end activities.
Quality control is key
If you want your clothing business to last, you need to implement good quality control procedures. The last thing you need is a customer returning a poorly made T-shirt or an incorrectly filled order. Not only will you suffer financially, but your reputation will also be affected. Keep in mind that consumers today are quick to leave their feedback in the form of online reviews.
Also, higher quality shirts look and feel better, they last longer, and you can ask for a higher price. This is why it is necessary to reduce the manufacturing process or choose a good T-shirt supplier. Besides, it goes without saying that the shirt itself should be of the best quality. Avoid thin, itchy shirts.
Associate them with great brands
Brand is absolutely key in fashion. It combines the type of clothing you sell, the audience you hope to attract, the personality you project through your website, and any other content or communication that can engage an audience.
Creating a brand that is relevant, interesting and engaging is very important in this industry. This will set you apart from your competitors and attract the customers you are most likely to contact. Keep in mind that consumers who buy T-shirts now have more choices than ever before. Your brand will set you apart.
One thing to consider when developing a brand is whether your clothing product reflects any particular lifestyle. You can then use it to inform your brand so that you can connect with your target audience. For example, if you’re selling T-shirts with reference quotes aimed at an audience of college students, the tone you’re using might be similar to the tone you’re selling “It’s Wine Thirty! “In a very different tone. A T-shirt for Mom.
Know your inventory options
Would you rather buy T-shirts in bulk, use your own resources for printing, or choose a print-on-demand supplier?
One of the benefits of keeping your own inventory is that you can sell items in person. It helps if you plan to attend the event and sell your shirts there. You can also take advantage of the better price margins that come with buying in bulk. On the other hand, if you opt for print on demand, there is less risk and it is often more convenient. Keep in mind that if you start with print on demand, you’ll need less upfront capital, oh, and it’s a great way to test the market for your business online before expanding. Whatever you decide, consider the pros and cons before proceeding.
Open your Shopify store
Now that you’ve completed the above steps, it’s time to open your store and create your online presence. Fortunately, this process is as close to automatic as you might think. Shopify is popular for a number of reasons, but ease of use is definitely at the top of the list. This is a great Shopify setup tutorial that breaks things down into easy-to-follow steps.
Conclusion
Once you open your shop, you still have work to do. Unless you have a lot of promotion, no one will show up to place an order. Create a social media presence for your store. Show your designs on Instagram and other platforms. Remember those social media pages you studied earlier? Now is a good time to return to these issues and start engaging with potential customers. Start blogging and get some professional help to make sure your content is top quality! Shopify also has this feature. And If you want to know more information about print on demand, you can also visit our websit—printdoors.com. Print business cards and hand them out at the event. The more traffic you drive to the store, the better.. 
