/ Ecommerce
How do I get my first online sales?
Your existing network, then one paid channel done properly. SEO comes later — it won't deliver your first month.
/ 01
The short version
'Build it and they will come' is the most expensive assumption in ecommerce.
/ 02
What actually matters
- • Tell your existing customers and network first.
- • Pick one paid channel (Meta or Google Shopping) and learn it.
- • Collect emails from day one — it's your cheapest repeat channel.
- • Get five reviews as fast as you can, even from friendly first buyers.
- • Local pickup or markets can seed early sales and reviews.
/ 03
The bit most people get wrong
Spreading a small budget across four platforms guarantees you learn nothing on any of them. Pick one.
/ 04
What to do next
Set a £10/day budget on a single channel for 30 days and measure cost per sale.
/ 05
Where RIOT fits in
We're a small Colchester studio helping UK SMBs get launching a shop right without agency waste or freelancer flake. If you've read this far and you want a second opinion on your specific setup, book a 20-minute call and we'll tell you honestly whether it's worth doing anything at all.
We work with clients across Essex, Suffolk, London and the wider UK — and remotely with brands abroad. No lock-in, no monthly retainer minimums, no pretending your problem is bigger than it is.
/ FAQs
Common questions
How much ad budget do I need?
£300–£500 to learn anything meaningful.
Do markets help?
Yes — cash flow, feedback and reviews.
/ Related
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Still not sure?
Book a free 20-minute call — we'll answer your specific version of this question with no sales pitch.
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