Can I sell services in an online store?

Selling services in an online store opens up significant opportunities for entrepreneurs to grow and improve their business. Online business removes geographical restrictions, allowing you to reach customers all over Finland or even internationally. This significantly expands your potential customer base.

An automated online store allows you to sell services 24/7 without having to be constantly available. Customers can explore your services, book appointments, and pay for their purchases when it suits them. This saves you time and frees up resources to produce the services yourself.

An online store also provides an excellent platform for the scalability of your service business. You can easily add new services or modify existing offerings to meet customer needs. In addition, online store analytics tools help you understand customer behavior and continuously optimize your service offering.

What services can I sell in an online store?

In an online store, you can sell almost any service that can be clearly productized and priced. Selling digital services is particularly smooth on online store platforms, as they can be delivered to the customer immediately after the purchase.

Digital services such as online courses, webinars, consultations and digital guides are excellent e-commerce products. Professional services such as marketing plans, graphic design or accounting services are also well suited for online sales.

Physical services, such as hairdressing or massage services, can be sold in an online store through a booking system. The customer can book and pay for an appointment in advance online, which streamlines the appointment booking process and reduces cancellations. Coaching and courses, which are carried out either live or remotely, are also popular e-commerce services.

Memberships and recurring services, such as monthly coaching programs or ongoing consulting, can be easily automated using the subscription features of ecommerce platforms.

How do I build a functioning online store for selling services?

Building a functioning online service store starts with choosing the right platform. Shopify services provide an excellent foundation for an online store suitable for selling services, as the platform can be customized to suit different needs.

Make sure your online store includes clear and attractive service descriptions. Tell the customer exactly what they get when they purchase your service, what the service process is like, and how long the service will last. Good images and possibly videos help to concretize the intangible service product.

Integrate a robust booking system into your online store if you sell time-based services. The system should automatically update available times and prevent duplicate bookings. Versatile payment methods, such as online payment, credit card, and mobile payment, improve the customer experience and increase conversions.

Carefully plan the customer journey in your online store. The purchase process should be as clear and smooth as possible. Also pay attention to post-purchase communication: automatic confirmation messages, reminders and feedback requests improve the customer experience.

What legal issues should be considered when selling services online?

There are several legal aspects to consider when selling services online. E-commerce solutions must be built to comply with applicable legislation, especially consumer protection.

Services sold in an online store should have clear cancellation terms and rights. Consumers generally have a 14-day right of withdrawal for services purchased online, but certain special services (such as services tied to a specific time) may be an exception. Make sure that the cancellation terms are clearly displayed in the online store.

Data protection legislation, and in particular the GDPR, sets requirements for the processing of customer data. An online store must have a clear privacy policy that explains how customer data is collected, processed and stored.

Terms of service are a key part of selling services. Clearly define what the service includes, what the responsibilities and obligations of the parties are, and what happens in case of potential problems. Also, make sure that tax issues are taken into account in the pricing and invoicing of the services.

Consider consulting a legal expert when setting up your online store so that all legal details are taken into account and you can focus on growing your business with peace of mind.