Vegans eat foods "as close to the tree" as possible.
Many consumers prefer a vegan diet and lifestyle. According to "Vegan Cooking for Dummies," health benefits, including easier digestibility of plant foods, draw many people to veganism. Vegans eat no animal flesh or foods derived from animals.
Manta.com reports 16,086 health food stores in the U.S. With 308 million people living in the United States, according to the U.S. Census Bureau at year-end 2009, your business has upside potential.
Write a business plan after research into the competitive landscape for your business. Use your business plan to obtain necessary funding.
Instructions
1. Contact your local and state licensing agencies to inquire about what you'll need to open your online vegan store. Search Business.gov Licenses and Permits as a place to begin. Speak with the local and state health departments to learn more about the requirements for storage and shipping, if appropriate. Obtain a tax identification number for the business.
2. Register your domain name if you haven't already. Choose a name that's easy for customers to remember. For example, as of 2010, ConnecticutVegan.com is available. Hire a website designer to ensure that your site is secure and easy to use.
Many customers find an online store after shopping on Amazon.com or eBay.com, so consider developing your Internet presence on these sites before opening your online store. Consider linking to other synergistic sites, such as TreeHugger.com and vegetarian societies and organizations found on VeganFood.com.
3. Select a physical location for your office. Register your company with the Better Business Bureau. Obtaining a good score helps attract customers with concerns about buying from your online store.
If your online store drop-ships products to customers, your need for warehouse space is lessened. Arrange drop-ship supplier relationships for the products your store will offer. Consider the costs and logistics of direct supplier relationships. Freshness and the cost of obtaining the best products are factors to consider.
4. Develop a marketing plan for your business. Vegan foods, as a niche, may include gluten-free products. Gluten-free product sales continue to climb as physicians identify celiac disease in a percentage of their patients. Decide whether offering vegan shoes, backpacks and purses fits your strategy. The markup on these items may provide an attractive return on investment.
5. Identify several products that are underrepresented by other online vegan outlets. For example, if your business plans to market the world's best vegan cookies, think about leading with this product during the winter holiday season.
6. Hire employees for your physical office, or on a virtual basis. Many online businesses take advantage of virtual support employees or call centers. Investigate ways to outsource customer service as your business grows.
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