So, you’ve got a small business – maybe a cute little shop, a vibrant market stall on the weekends, or an online store with a loyal customer base. Things are going well, but there’s this nagging thought in the back of your mind: Could I be doing more? The answer is a resounding yes, and expanding your business onto other platforms might just be the perfect move. 

Sure, every business should be doing the basics like marketing, but sometimes marketing isn’t enough, and sometimes, in order to really get known, you’ll need to expand. Yes, even those with a website should consider this, too! So, with all of that said, let’s dive into why this could be a game-changer for you.

It’s All About Reaching More Customers

Your physical store or current online setup might be rocking, but have you considered the vast sea of potential customers out there who don’t know you exist yet? This goes back to what was said above: sometimes, even with marketing, you have your limits. Sometimes, people will only use certain platforms for their orders, and that is that. Maybe you’re making something handmade? Crafted? Something that’s artisan? 

Well, in that case, platforms like Etsy and Big Cartel are ideal marketplaces where shoppers are already looking for unique, handmade, or niche products. But why the extra work? Well, by setting up shop on these platforms, you’re essentially placing your products in front of millions of new eyeballs. It’s like opening a second store but without the hefty overheads.

Diversify Your Revenue Streams

Remember that old saying, “Don’t put all your eggs in one basket”? It’s especially true in business. So it’s best to expand onto different platforms; you’re not just increasing your customer base – you’re also diversifying your revenue streams. This means that if one platform has a slow month, others might pick up the slack. It’s a smart way to ensure your business stays steady and resilient, no matter what curveballs come your way.

It’s Easy to Scale

So, this goes hand in hand with what’s being said above; at the end of the day, businesses need to scale, and in order to scale, there needs to be expansions and longevity. For a lot of businesses that expand to other platforms, this eventually means expanding their product line, too. For example, maybe you would make ceramic pots in your business, but now demand is picking up, plus you’re seeing that quirky pots are fairly popular on Etsy (the platform you expanded to). 

Well, in this case, to scale, you’d get a 3D printer and start making quirky pots; for the most part, the costs to scale would be expensive; you’d need materials like clear 3D printer filament, the printer (obviously), and some other tools. Basically, the startup cost for a new product line doesn’t need to be complicated.

But you shouldn’t totally shift to just making these; you’d be making 3D-printed pots and ceramic planters. So, this is merely an example of scaling, but overall, it just helps show that expansion usually means it’s easier to scale and that it’s easier to maintain longevity. 

Best Way to Learn and Adapt

Finally, being on multiple platforms provides a unique opportunity to learn and adapt. Each platform comes with its own set of analytics and customer feedback, which can provide valuable insights into your business. You can see what products or services are performing well, understand customer preferences, and tweak your offerings accordingly. Plus, market research becomes easy.