- 15/02/2024
- Rohit Mishra
Today a vast share of the population dislikes the idea of going to the market and shopping for stuff, even if it be something as personal as cosmetic products. Yes, thanks to the ever-growing trend of online shopping, adding stuff to your cart and getting products delivered at home is the new shopping spree that everyone enjoys and adores.
So, if you own a cosmetic business, you surely would like to know how to start selling cosmetics online and make the most of this emerging trend. Join us on this journey as we unfold the secrets of a successful selling cosmetic products online.
What Are Cosmetics?
Cosmetic is a holistic term that includes a vast range of products that enhance or accentuate a person’s look. Often considered synonymous with makeup, these are two terms that are often misinterpreted. Makeup is only a sub-part of cosmetics and not all cosmetics include makeup. Broadly the term cosmetics includes the following:
- Skincare products like facewash, gels, toners, shaving foams, etc
- Personal products like toothpaste, deodorants, mouthwash, etc
- Haircare products like shampoos, conditioners, hair oils and hair gels
- Color cosmetics like lip colors, nail colors, and eye shadows
- Fragrances like colognes, perfumes, and body sprays
With an upsurge in the cosmetic industry and a growing trend towards selling beauty products online, this is one of the best industries to step in and grow your selling cosmetics online.
Where To Sell Your Beauty Products Online?
Selling beauty products online business offers various avenues for growth and sales. What is important is to tap the most lucrative one while registering your online presence everywhere. Some major platforms for selling cosmetics online are:
1. Online Store
Building an online selling beauty products store is one of the finest ways to showcase your cosmetic products and offer them for sale on your terms.
A cosmetic website can be tailor-made as per your business needs where there is complete control from inventory to payments, offering a hassle-free shopping experience to your customers. An exclusive store is a better place to start selling cosmetics online rather than through e-commerce sites where you need to pay a commission.
2. Social Media
Social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram are places to promote your cosmetic products and sell your beauty products online directly to your customers.
The world seems to be connected through social media and it is no doubt the cheapest and most effective way to showcase your products, sell your USPs, and attract a huge customer base. Offer your customers the choice to shop directly from your social media posts.
3. Marketplaces
Marketplaces like e-commerce sites Amazon, Flipkart, and Nykaa are great places to sell your beauty products online. They are not only safe platforms for business but also connect you with a wide base of trusted customers with the promise of repeat sales.
Besides, they also help in marketing your products, and with great offers, schemes, and discounts, they attract heavy-selling cosmetics online businesses that are lucrative for both parties.
4. Multichannel Sales
Multichannel sales strategy is using a mix of all the above platforms to sell cosmetic products online.
Choosing to sell your beauty products online through different avenues ensures you make great connections with your customers, touch a wide customer base, and reduce dependence on a single channel. It is the safest strategy to make online sales and promote your cosmetic business.
All the above platforms of selling cosmetics online ensure that you do safe business while giving your customers the best shopping experience and minimizing your cost of retailing and renting physical spaces to conduct business.
Selling Cosmetic Products Online: 7 Steps To Know
Knowing where to sell cosmetic products online, it is time to learn how to start selling beauty products online and the correct strategy to follow to make the most of it.
1. Find Your Niche
The first step is to identify your niche in an already saturated cosmetic market. Yes, you need to target a specific category of cosmetics and find new techniques and technologies emerging in that category.
Focus on only one or two categories of cosmetics to build your brand image around it and increase online selling beauty products. Some of the most trending niches these days include.
- Cruelty-free Cosmetics
- Vegan Cosmetics
- Organic Cosmetics
- Cosmetics to treat special skin problems
- Haircare products for specific hair problems
2. Create Your Brand
Your brand is a reflection of your business both in the offline and online selling beauty products markets. It speaks about the vision and values of your business and creates a strong business image in the customers’ minds.
It is the first impression of your business, so make sure it is strong enough to appeal to the customers. A strong brand is a combination of an impressive logo that speaks about your USP in the cosmetic industry.
3. Create A Business Plan
Launching and selling cosmetic products online requires working around a well-drafted business plan. Undertake in-depth market research to know the trending cosmetic products preferred by consumers.
Dive into your competitor’s business strategy and understand how the big players make a place for themselves in a populated industry while leaving their mark. Once you carve your cosmetic business plan for online sales, you are better placed to execute it with minimum challenges coming your way.
4. Sourcing Products
Selling cosmetic products online requires companies to maintain a good stock of quality cosmetic products. Products may be sourced from different places like wholesalers or you may route them through a drop shipping company that handles your delivery.
Alternatively, you may stock your products from a Private label manufacturer with A2Z solutions from manufacturing to packaging. The last and most exhaustive source is manufacturing your cosmetic products.
Whatever source of products you choose, remember it is the ultimate quality and performance of your products that decides your sustainability in the cosmetic industry. Pricing, packaging, and branding are three crucial factors to consider when developing or sourcing a product line.
4.1 Dropshipping: A dropshipping supplier handles all the order processing for you. When a customer places an order, it goes straight to the dropshipping supplier, who completes the order on your behalf. Choose a reliable dropshipping company and always ask for a sample before assigning the complete order to them.
4.2 Private Labelling: Online cosmetic sellers may choose to source their products through white labeling. Here an off-shelf product or cosmetic formulation is given private labeling by the cosmetic company. Most favorable for small cosmetic business owners who cannot invest much in production, this idea allows them to sell formulations under their brand.
4.3 Wholesale: Sourcing products from wholesalers is another way cosmetic companies can obtain products for their business. Buying in bulk and then indulging in online retail sales gives cosmetic companies an advantage in booking profit margins. However, most cosmetic products here are generic and not bespoke to meet customer needs.
4.4 Manufacture your products: If you want to offer customer-centric and tailor-made cosmetic products to your customers, then opt to manufacture your products. This method is time-consuming and requires much research on the ingredients. Manufacturing cosmetic products also requires in-depth knowledge of legal regulations and FDA rules.
5. Decide on Your Packaging & Shipping
Selling cosmetic products online requires sellers to pack them safely and ship them to their destination on time. E-commerce packaging should be safe, durable, and leakproof to ensure that the products reach the consumers safely without damage.
However, companies should also focus on environmentally friendly and budgeted packaging options to reduce their cost. Similarly choose a reliable shipping partner, that offers quick delivery and has its shipping rates and charges. This will ensure that you offer the best online shopping experience to your customers right from purchase to delivery.
6. Promote Your Website
If you want to sell your cosmetic products online, invest in a good quality website that is a virtual store and showcases all your product lines. It should be designed in a way that makes browsing different categories of cosmetics easy and in a user-friendly way.
Keep the payment and check-out options simple with minimum steps to attract customers to your website and give them a pleasing shopping experience. Incorporating technology through, virtual trials and AI recommendations further adds icing to the cake.
Link your website to social media platforms for better coverage and to widen the customer base. Opt for an SEO-optimized website and have some beauty bloggers review your products to increase the credibility of your products.
7. Provide Exceptional Customer Service
‘Customer is the king’ The adage can never be ignored whether you choose to sell your beauty products online or offline. Offering exceptional customer service helps you win over their loyalty and translates into repeated sales.
Maintain clear communication with your customers through feedback, suggestions, and customer support services. Be prompt in informing customers about their purchases, payments, and their order status. In case of customer inquiries, offer quick replies through prompt and friendly customer services.
Add a touch of personalization and brand voice when communicating with your customers. Offer live chat support, after-sales services, and personalized thank-you notes to strengthen the bond with your customers.
All the above steps can help you start selling cosmetics online and push your cosmetic products closer to your targeted customers through minimal effort.
Conclusion
Selling cosmetic products online can only be very rewarding if companies follow certain essential steps. Targeting the correct market segment, finding your niche, creating a brand image, and offering a product line that meets customer needs are some of the star ingredients to selling beauty products online on a roller coaster ride.
Ensuring safe digital payments and processing online sales to deliver the consignments safely are two of the biggest challenges for online cosmetics sellers. But besides all the roadblocks, once you set your system right, online selling beauty products offers an opportunity to connect with your customers virtually and offer them bespoke cosmetic products to enhance their image and your reputation.
