According to EMARKETER research, revenue from online shopping is projected to hit $7.9 trillion by 2027, an astounding figure you may be eager to claim your share of. But in order to do so, you’ll need to adopt an essential tool of the trade: an e-commerce platform. This digital asset will equip you to build and customize a virtual store, manage your inventory, accept secure payments, and even keep tabs on your customer base. Here are four top options to consider, any of which could help you achieve your true earning potential.
Square’s ubiquitous white and square-shaped card reader was once all the rage at farmers markets and food trucks aplenty. And while tap to pay has somewhat diminished in demand, the company’s e-commerce platform, known as Square Online, remains a common implement of numerous online shops. More than just a payment tool, it furnishes you with all you need to create a robust and immersive virtual store; thanks to its simple, intuitive customization options and helpful video tutorials, you can go live within minutes of initiating your plan.
The basic version of Square Online, requiring no monthly fee, boasts ample tools for easing store setup and management, including integrations with social media for making cross-platform sales, compatibility with Square’s point-of-service system for processing and tracking live transactions, and SEO tools that can attract more website traffic. However, be aware that despite the “free” label, the company will still claim 2.9 percent plus 30¢ on every transaction. Then again, this means that you only pay if you sell—an appealing perk for upstart ventures.
You can also upgrade to Plus mode for an additional $29 a month to utilize all the prior elements plus more customer-friendly ones, the ability to customize your site to your brand, and the option to set up patron loyalty programs. And if you enroll in the Premium plan for $79 monthly, you’ll unlock a slightly lower transaction fee at 2.6 percent and even more perks, the most noteworthy being 24/7 customer support for peace of mind as you craft and captain your new enterprise.
Named for a shortened version of “e-commerce widget,” this service may be ideal for those who already have a successful brick-and-mortar, pop-up, or social media-based business due to how it allows you to embed your virtual store on an existing website and various social media pages. Popular examples of such integrations include Squarespace websites and Instagram, each of which you can manage from Ecwid’s centralized inventory platform. Additionally, you can optimize it for a mobile layout to welcome smartphone shoppers into your store.
Many clients have particularly enjoyed Ecwid’s organization features, including task reminders and product categorization, that ease the inventory process and allow them to focus on other store-management responsibilities. You can even review customer-behavior analytics and craft email campaigns to help foster repeat business. Do you wish to do more with your platform? Look to the site’s in-house coding and design services, which can assist you in optimizing your third-party integrations.
Begin with the Starter plan for only $5 a month (no transaction fees to be found) to build a basic store, or opt for one of the three higher tiers for advanced features. The Unlimited plan earns especially high marks since it allows users to create a multipage website with infinite product slots, SEO features like a blog, and more.
This product offers robust and versatile solutions for simplifying online-business leadership, enabling business owners to sell effortlessly across multiple channels. You can accept transactions in person with a point-of-sale system, on a branded online store, via a mobile app, and through direct integrations with social media sites as well as on other popular online marketplaces. What’s more, this system eases management of all your operations, from payment processing and order fulfillment to shipment of goods and analytics review.
In addition, Wix eCommerce utilizes AI to present highly relevant products to browsing customers, craft segmented email campaigns, create custom social-media marketing programs to increase conversion rates, and more. In fact, the platform is so advanced that it guarantees 99.99 percent uptime and high-performance stability, even during peak sales times. Just as cutting-edge is its unparalleled drag-and-drop design editor, which will allow you to build a personalized storefront without writing a single line of code.
Merchants can also expand their businesses beyond selling products—such as by booking service consultations, hosting events, and managing customer memberships—all within Wix eCommerce’s comprehensive environment. Getting started is as simple as creating a free account and building your online store; however, once you launch it and begin taking payments, you will need to switch to one of the four paid options. Try the Business tier for $39 monthly, for instance, and you can enjoy enlarged storage space, additional collaborator possibilities, and much more.
Billed as “a beginner’s playground and an expert’s home turf,” this service provides a broad range of benefits for just about any online seller. Its comprehensive software is designed to simplify setup—its website asserts that you can go live in just five steps—and it welcomes customization to your heart’s content. The generous standard features, like straightforward order tracking and inventory management, can elevate just about any e-commerce business, but the platform is also well regarded for its smooth integration with other products. Consider those within Zoho’s suite as well as Mailchimp’s marketing tools.
Yet even if you choose not to expand into these full perks, you can still enjoy numerous benefits through Zoho Commerce. Some standouts to note are price lists you can generate for your customers, template-swap tools that ease shop redesign, and product specifications that showcase enticing details (e.g., 100 percent cotton) to buyers.
To begin, book a personalized demo and fourteen-day free trial, after which you can select the proper plan for your business’s size, number of employees, budget, necessary tools, and more. Larger-scale enterprises can even hire Zoho Commerce to build a custom operation. The platform takes no transaction fees and its membership fees are competitive across the board, making this one of the most cost-effective e-commerce services out there.
TAKE ACTION:
Determine the goals and budget for your digital store, then consider which of these products may provide the benefits you need.
Over the decades, each generation has reshaped company culture and expectations, bringing distinct strengths to the workplace. Baby boomers, known for their strong work ethic, loyalty, and preference for hierarchical structures, have long been the backbone of many industries. Generation X, often seen as independent, adaptable, and entrepreneurial, bridged the gap between analog and digital work environments. And millennials pushed the envelope further, embracing technology and challenging the status quo for greater efficiency.
Now attention turns to the newest generation entering the workforce—Generation Z. Born between the late 1990s and early 2010s, these workers bring unique values, expectations, and work habits that set them apart from the rest. To attract and retain such talent, it’s essential to build a dynamic and forward-thinking workplace that leverages their potential to the fullest.
No matter which industry you belong to, technology and social media have become unavoidable necessities for marketing, branding, and customer engagement—and this generation may be the key to utilizing both successfully. Not knowing a time without the internet, they generally possess a clear understanding of what people are looking for in an increasingly digital world, keeping their finger on the pulse of what’s popular. These individuals’ familiarity with technology also means they’re often skilled with all sorts of devices and software. And when they’re not, they’re quick to pick it up and even find ways to use it more efficiently. Plus, they tend to be highly sociable, which can go a long way toward strengthening company culture.
As with any employee, though, Gen Z workers need to be comfortable in their environment to feel motivated and empowered to succeed. This doesn’t necessarily mean adjusting all your practices, but by adapting in reasonable ways, you can not only appeal to and keep such talent but also potentially please the rest of your workforce.
A healthy work-life balance is more important now than ever for employees across the board, and you may find this especially true with Gen Z workers. With a strong focus on flexibility, many are seeking job opportunities outside the norm of an in-office nine-to-five. Depending on your company’s needs and business model, appealing to this preference could mean offering remote or hybrid work schedules, embracing flexible work hours, providing unlimited PTO, or even moving to a four-day workweek. Whichever route you take, avoiding rigidity can help increase productivity overall—per FlexJobs, 77 percent of current remote employees believe they get more work done at home than in an office. And, as a bonus, when workers are happy with their work-life balance, they may be less likely to look for a job elsewhere, thus improving retention.
Perhaps even more than flexibility, Gen Zers crave a strong sense of purpose in their careers. In fact, a 2025 Deloitte survey found that 89 percent of Gen Z respondents considered a sense of purpose to be very or somewhat important for their job satisfaction and well-being, and around four in ten actually left their job because it lacked purpose. As a business leader, aim to be transparent about your organization’s commitments and, most importantly, follow through on them. For instance, your sustainability efforts may involve actively reducing your carbon footprint, prioritizing recycling, and only partnering with other like-minded business.
As noted earlier, Gen Zers are arguably the most tech-savvy generation yet. Having been raised with smartphones and social media, they work best with seamless digital communication and aren’t afraid to embrace any new tool that arises, including AI. Further, they value efficient work processes and, in turn, consistently challenge existing practices to seek new, creative ways to get something done in less time and to a higher standard. So when you invest in modern digital tools, streamline workflows, and foster a culture of innovation, you create an environment where Gen Z workers can thrive, leading to consistent fresh ideas and potential long-term growth for your organization.
Being so immersed in a fast-paced digital world where information is instantly available, Gen Zers seek the same level of responsiveness in the workplace. This means moving away from only offering annual performance reviews and instead adopting a flow of regular constructive guidance and real-time recognition for their work. Providing immediate feedback, such as through weekly one-on-one check-ins, instant messaging platforms, or project evaluations, will help keep them engaged and continuously improving.
Beyond performance assessments, Gen Z workers also value mentorship and open communication with leaders and other team members. They thrive under managers who take a coaching approach rather than a directive one and enjoy being able to ask questions freely and collaborate with coworkers, embracing the chance to learn from them. Further, offering career development opportunities and encouraging continuous learning will not only keep them motivated but also build a stronger, more dynamic team.
When integrated well, Gen Z workers present businesses with a chance for increased innovation and growth. By understanding their unique needs, you can position your company to thrive in the face of an ever-evolving workforce.
TAKE ACTION:
Evaluate your company’s existing policies and culture, and identify opportunities to align them with Gen Z’s values to establish a more forward-thinking workplace.
Wisconsin-based scratchboard artist Melissa Helene discusses her path to entrepreneurship, quest to help other creatives navigate it, and ever-expanding business.
Walk us down your path to becoming an artist:
I grew up creating art—I was always drawing and took every art class available in junior high and high school. In college, I didn’t know what I wanted to do, but I did know that I didn’t want to be a “starving artist” or an art teacher. So I got my degree in sociology with a minor in youth studies and worked in the nonprofit realm for several years after graduating.
However, I was regularly looking for something different. Since I was already making graphite and charcoal drawings and oil paintings as a hobby, I started planning to do art full-time. Soon after, I discovered scratchboard, an art form where you carve images into Masonite boards composed of a smooth white clay base with a black ink overlay. Something immediately clicked: I’m a very type A person, which made the medium’s attention to detail very appealing to me. I founded Melissa Helene Fine Arts and Photography soon after in 2015.
Were you always eager to start a business?
Yes. Before I did, I was actively trying to sell my art more. At one festival, I confided to some fellow artists that I was thinking of launching a full-time art business, and they encouraged me. I decided to move forward with it that same weekend. In retrospect, it was a very bold move; I didn’t have any relevant knowledge or even a job at the time. But it worked out.
Who else supported you along the way?
My parents were hugely supportive and integral to me being able to start my business. I literally couldn’t have done it without them—I was still on their health insurance! My dad has been the workhorse behind my success for a long time, helping me figure out booth displays and how to hang and frame items. Plus, both of my parents are salespeople by trade. My mom in particular loves to actively talk to people and sell, and she’s taught me how to get better at landing the sale in different scenarios, such as when someone’s got a work in their hands. However, we definitely have different approaches when we’re at art festivals. As the mother of the artist, she can get away with saying things about my work that I wouldn’t dare utter. [Laughs]
How did you eventually develop your business acumen?
At that festival I mentioned, a few of my artist friends were hustling to sell their works. I peppered one with business questions, but she couldn’t answer most of them. I quickly discovered that many working artists don’t have that sort of background; the majority are just flying by the seat of their pants. They don’t even keep records, such as receipts, or track their income or expenses throughout the year. I was shocked.
Ultimately, I went out on my own to learn business, essentially through lots of great resources and online mentors—I read blogs, listened to podcasts, and took business courses. However, none of them applied directly to being an artist. For example, online entrepreneurs focused primarily on coaching or selling other products. I had to do a lot of cherry-picking through the information to figure out how I could incorporate proven strategies into my business. I found that very exciting, and I still do everything I can to continue learning, especially keeping up with social media trends.
You also teach other artists about how to be businesspeople. Would you elaborate on that?
I wanted to start helping other artists because I think everyone could benefit from approaching their art as a business. If you want to do it just for the love of the craft, go for it. But too many are making things so much harder for themselves by not having anything in place to analyze what’s working and what’s not. The way that I’ve always approached my business from day one is that it is a business and I need to make my living from it. That’s why, unlike most artists, I don’t get super attached to my pieces or have any issues selling what I’m making—after all, it’s the reason I’m making it.
With you focusing so much attention on growing your business, what do you get from continuing to attend festivals?
From an artistic standpoint, I get almost nothing. I’m there purely for business. You can really tap out a market very quickly if you’re only locally focused, especially in my case since I live in a tiny town in Wisconsin. Festivals get my work in front of huge crowds; tens of thousands of people may be walking through. And even though only a small percentage of those are going to see my pieces and an even smaller percentage will connect with them, it’s well worth it.
Plus, while there are many other ways I could choose to get exposure for my work, I’ve found art festivals to be the most efficient. I have a nice following on social media and have sold a little there, but I haven’t quite cracked the code on it yet. So at least 70 percent of my business comes from festivals, where I get to network and meet other artists and art show directors, interactions that lead to different types of opportunities. For example, I’m using these events to promote my online course, which I’m trying to build up as well.
My goal eventually would be to sell more via my website and social media and attend fewer festivals as my business grows. Right now, though, I’m still doing anywhere from ten to fifteen a year. That may not sound like a lot, but it is when you’re selling mostly original artwork.
You’ve been running your business for a decade. How does that make you feel?
It’s crazy. My life has changed so much during that time, like getting married and having our kid. But starting my business was absolutely the right choice since it perfectly merges the two parts of my personality: orderly and creative. That said, being an artist isn’t easy, and trying to make a business out of being an artist is even harder. I’m proud of myself for doing that.
For more info, visit melissahelene.com
Depending on which industry your organization occupies, tense customer interactions may seem commonplace—but they don’t have to be. Just ask Skye Michiels, a national real estate coach and motivational speaker and the founder of With Heart Coaching, a platform that supports entrepreneurs through incisive business guidance. Utilize his proven insights, and you’ll not only smooth over customer complaints more deftly but also boost your chances of attaining and preserving ongoing loyalty.
What, exactly, makes a customer troublesome? Michiels’s explanation is much broader than you might expect. “They aren’t just someone who’s unpleasant—they’re someone who resists trust, struggles with decision-making, or constantly shifts expectations,” he says. “They might be overly skeptical, overly demanding, or even disengaged.” But as diverse as these characteristics may seem, Michiels states that every crank shares one of two common denominators: at their core, they either feel unheard or doubtful that what you’re offering is actually in their best interests.
Take, for example, a home-security company dealing with a tough client who makes recurring customer-service calls, claiming that they don’t understand how to utilize the system’s features. In this situation, they aren’t simply irritated but also fail to reap value from the security services, which puts them at risk of ceasing their business.
How the company handles this individual will dictate the future of the relationship. Address their demands—such as by sending a technician to demonstrate the system’s features—and it can potentially retain them. Fail to do so, and they may instead turn to a competitor. The same is true with prospects: be attentive to their needs, and you could very well add them to your client list. Otherwise, you may struggle to close the sale and eventually hear a definitive “no.”
The next time you face a troublesome client, take the following steps to help build their trust and earn or retain their business.
Listen well
Michiels emphasizes that you should always seek what’s at the root of people’s struggles, which is essential for effectively meeting and exceeding their expectations. “Ask clients to tell you more about their issue, then actively listen to their questions, fears, and complaints,” he suggests. “When they feel heard, their resistance drops.” This goes beyond packaged statements like “I understand your concern.” Instead, you should communicate directly to the needs they express, such as by stating “I apologize that our price schedule was unclear. Can I walk you through how it works so you’ll know what to expect in the future?”
Speak calmly
“Don’t match resistance with more resistance,” Michiels warns. “That only fuels the fire. The keys are staying calm and unemotional, keeping your energy steady, and avoiding taking the bait.” After validating customers’ concerns, he recommends shifting the conversation from confrontation to collaboration. Posing open-ended questions like “What’s holding you back?” and “What would make you feel like buying today is the right decision?” could help lower their defenses.
From there, ask what you can do to resolve their issues, being willing to stretch beyond ordinary customer-service practices if necessary. When people associate your organization with solutions rather than problems, you’ll increase your chances of securing their future business.
Act on feedback
“Every complaint is a road map for improvement,” Michiels says. “Instead of getting defensive, treat feedback—no matter how it’s delivered—as free consulting. For example, if someone is frustrated about slow delivery times, ask yourself, Is this a pattern?”
Raise any repeated grievances with your team, and get to work brainstorming solutions for them. And once you roll out changes, announce them on your website, social media, and other marketing channels, spreading the word that you’ve listened to client reviews and are taking corrective steps. “Turning negatives into tangible action builds loyalty,” Michiels adds.
While it’s useful to practice good conflict resolution, Michiels insists that adopting certain tactics can help you circumvent such issues altogether. “Communicate clearly so customers have realistic expectations, be transparent about pricing and timelines, and overdeliver on service,” he says. Building a brand based on trust will make your client base naturally easier to work with.
Additionally, aim to answer people’s questions before they ask. “Doing this creates a feeling of security and confidence, which helps prevent difficult interactions,” Michiels states. This could mean having your sellers tell clients at the point of sale how the fee schedule works or where to go for troubleshooting questions—whatever may head off potential confusion and frustration.
While you may hope to smooth every client relationship, don’t do so at the expense of your team. For example, you should never tolerate outright verbal abuse, threats, or customers who simply resist the solutions you extend to them. “Remember, it’s not personal,” Michiels says. “People act out based on their own stressors, not because of you.”
And don’t forget the old adage of knowing when to walk away. “Not every customer is the right fit for your organization, and that’s OK,” Michiels says. In some cases, the time spent fostering an extremely problematic customer could be better directed toward converting more promising prospects or following up with existing ones to nurture their repeat business.
TAKE ACTION:
Consider how you can incorporate Michiels’s advice into your team’s future customer interactions.
