Ghost Commerce: The New And Improved Way To Do Business

It’s 2024, Ghost commerce is the new and improved way to do business. You are going to learn all about it in today’s post.

Since the introduction of the internet, there has been a conscious effort to make every process seamless and easier, even commerce.

Due to this, we have what is known as E-commerce. I like to call E-commerce, easy commerce. This helps you to run your business online and reach a wider audience in a shorter time.

The pursuit for ease never stops with the internet. Slowly but steadily, a new idea known as Ghost Commerce has begun to influence the market and entrepreneurs.

Ghost commerce is a new e-commerce business model where new or existing businesses can leverage third-party platforms to run their activities.

What are Third-party platforms? Are there benefits to Ghost commerce? What is the Ghost part of the term?

These and more are what you’ll learn today.

What is Ghost Commerce?

The “ghost” in ghost commerce is referencing the type of business where there is no direct contact between the buyer or seller.

The whole process from buying to selling and sometimes bargaining, would be done entirely on the third-party platform.

In more ways than one, ghost commerce has taken loads off the neck of business owners. They don’t have to worry about shipping or inventory and other things.

All they need to focus on is branding and marketing. You would agree with me that those are core parts of business that need continuous monitoring.

Other aspects such as warehousing and shipping or logistics can be handled by other device providers.

Third-party platforms are applications that serve as middlemen between seller and buyer, producer and consumers.

Interestingly, when you look at it, Third-party platforms(TPP) are all around us today. Examples are Instagram, WhatsApp Business, Facebook, Shopify, branchbob, zobo and many more.

All in all, ghost commerce has come to ease the affairs on the consumer’s end by bringing the market closer to you.

They also alleviate retailer’s worry about setting up a business. By providing a platform, you get to ride on their eagle’s wing and reach farther than you could have imagined.

Ensure to focus on Customer relations, branding, and marketing and leave the rest of the boring stuff to them. Is it boring though?

How does Ghost Commerce Work?

For Ghost Commerce to work seamlessly, there are several key steps to take note of.

1. Setting Up The Online Store

Some TPPs give you a personalized page to set up your store. Like Jumia? Yeah, you can have your “YOU-MIA”. (That was a bad rhyme, I’m sorry).

E-commerce platforms such as Shopify, and Woocommerce offer this service. You get customizable sites where you can list your products and offer worthy services to customers.

2. Selecting Suppliers

After you’ve set up your online store, your products still need to get to the consumers at their convenience.

That’s where third-party suppliers come in. These guys would help you keep your products till when needed and can even offer logistics services.

If they don’t, you can always source more third parties.

3. Listing Products

Entrepreneurs have the freedom to choose which products they want to sell and make them unique to their brand.

They can customize everything from the product descriptions to the images and pricing. It’s a great way for them to showcase their style and create a personalized online store.

4. Orders from Customers

What’s the use of all these ghosting thingy? It’s to get customers. Which brings us to this step. Customers will visit the store and place orders.

The customers would be required to input their details including shipping addresses and payment information.

All these would help ease the process.

5. Forwarding the Order

The forwarding will happen from the retailer to the supplier. The process can be done manually or can be automated for ease and speed.

6. Fulfillment of Order

When the supplier receives the order, they pick, pack, and ship the product out.

During this process, the customer’s package would have an allotted number for better documentation and easier tracking.

7. Delivery To Customer

Now, you are getting to the latter stages of the transaction. However wordy or lengthy these steps may seem, they happen pretty fast.

After order fulfilment, the customer is alerted and is expectant. Eventually, the product is shipped off to the customer.

8. Payment

Usually, the customer pays online. When the retailer receives the payment, they will pay the cost of wholesale to the supplier. M

The remainder stays with you. This is the revenue.

These are the eight key steps that you need to follow. The remaining steps such as Follow-up and scaling are meant for the longevity and growth of the business.

Is Ghost Commerce Legit?

There are several grey areas to consider when considering ghost commerce as a seller and more importantly as a buyer.

Ghost commerce is legit, but just as there is the legit side to things there is a possibility of the illegal.

For one, you can’t ascertain the quality of the product. There have been cases of the popular “what you ordered vs what you got”.

Scammers can also set up fake online stores and get people to buy products that do not exist. You have to be watchful and research about their validity.

If you just hop on these sites or social media and don’t check if they are legit, you risk losing your money.

Despite this, ghost commerce is very much legit. However, scammers would use any chance to scam. It is still a viable option for retailers this year.

Under Ghost Commerce, there are many jobs to consider under it.

See: What Is Social Networking? Why is it Important?

Ghost Commerce Jobs

Jobs in this realm might include:

1. Website Development and Design

Creating and maintaining websites for ghost commerce operations, including e-commerce platforms, forums, and marketplaces.

2. Content Creation

Generating content such as product descriptions, marketing materials, and blog posts to attract customers to ghost commerce sites.

3. Customer Service

Handling inquiries, complaints, and support requests from customers who purchase goods or services through ghost commerce channels.

4. Logistics and Shipping

Managing the distribution of products purchased through ghost commerce, including sourcing, packaging, and shipping.

5. Cybersecurity

Protecting ghost commerce operations from detection, hacking attempts, and law enforcement actions.

6. Data Analysis

Analyzing customer data and market trends to optimize product offerings and marketing strategies for ghost commerce businesses.

7. Cryptocurrency Management

Handling transactions and managing cryptocurrency wallets for payments in ghost commerce transactions.

8. Legal Counsel

Providing legal advice and representation to ghost commerce operators to navigate legal complexities and potential consequences.

It’s important to note that engaging in ghost commerce activities may involve legal and ethical considerations, and many of the jobs associated with it may be risky or illegal.

How Can You Start Your Ghost Commerce?

Check: Social Media Marketing (SMM): A Complete Guide for Businesses

How To Start Ghost Commerce As A Side Hustle

Starting a ghost commerce business as a side hustle involves several steps:

1. Research and Niche Selection

It’s best to identify the niche that has growing demand. It’s best then to consider the competition. You don’t want to go into a saturated market.

You should consider areas where you have passion. This would help you stay in business despite setbacks.

2. Business Plan

A business plan is a detailed write-up about every angle that would make your business succeed presently and in the future.

Such angles include a vision and Mission statement, target audience, pricing strategy, marketing plan, financial statement etc.

A good business would help you know if ghost commerce is the best choice for you.

3. Legal Considerations

Business registration is important to ensure compliance with local and national regulations.

It’s key to obtain the necessary permits and licenses.

4. Build Your Platform

Create a professional website or use a platform like Shopify to set up your online store.

Make sure it’s user-friendly and optimized for conversions.

5. Product Sourcing

This involves finding trustworthy suppliers for your products.

Consider dropshipping to minimize inventory costs and logistical challenges.

6. Product Listings and Descriptions

If you aren’t good at writing, you might want to find someone for this. Your product description should be compelling.

Also, use high-quality photos to showcase your products.

7. Marketing and Promotion

Utilize social media, content marketing, email campaigns, and SEO to attract customers.

Engage with your audience and build a community around your brand.

8. Customer Service

Provide excellent customer service to build trust and loyalty. Respond promptly to inquiries and address any issues or concerns promptly.

Remember, consistency and perseverance are key to success in any side hustle. Stay focused on your goals and be willing to adapt to changing market conditions.

That brings us to the end of this ghost session. I know you’ve learned a lot.

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Conclusion

Ghost commerce is improving the way business is being done. More so, it’s giving leverage to retailers who need a helping hand. In such a time of tech, the ease it will bring is assuring.

Stick to the steps provided to you in this piece and you can begin your ghost commerce journey swiftly.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)