Get Your Business Ready for Prime Day

Prime Day is one of the biggest retail events of the year, and it’s not just for Amazon itself. 

It's an absolutely golden opportunity for online sellers to boost sales, gain new customers, and increase visibility. 

Whether you're selling on Amazon, Etsy, Shopify, or through your own platform, getting your online shop Prime Day-ready is essential.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you prepare your online retail presence and maximise your results.

1. Optimise Your Listings

Make sure all your product listings are in top form:

Use high-quality images (with lifestyle photos where appropriate).

Refine your product titles and descriptions using relevant keywords.

Add detailed specifications and clear pricing.

Make sure listings are accurate and free from errors.

Include positive reviews and ensure any customer questions have been answered.

Tip for Amazon Sellers: Update your backend keywords to target Prime Day-related search terms.

2. Create Irresistible Prime Day Deals

Prepare limited-time offers, bundle deals, or flash sales to attract bargain hunters.

Amazon: Submit your Lightning Deals or coupons well in advance.

Shopify & Etsy: Use app plugins or your admin dashboard to schedule discounts and banner announcements.

Consider site-wide discounts for independent retailers.

Bonus tip: Offer free shipping or express shipping options if possible.

3. Prepare Your Inventory

You don’t want to run out of stock mid-sale.

Review your sales history and forecast demand for popular products.

Ensure your suppliers and logistics are ready for a surge in orders.

For Amazon FBA sellers, send inventory to fulfilment centres early.

If you're selling on Etsy or via your own site, double-check your postage materials and dispatch times.

4. Enhance Your Storefront

Treat Prime Day as a mini relaunch for your brand:

Update your branding and visuals to reflect the promotional spirit.

Add a countdown timer, special banners, or “Prime Day Picks” section.

Create dedicated landing pages for special offers or bestsellers.

This is especially useful on Shopify or custom sites to guide traffic and conversions.

5. Run Targeted Marketing Campaigns

Don’t rely solely on marketplace traffic.

Promote your deals via email newsletters, social media, and PPC ads.

Use phrases like “Limited-Time Prime Day Offers” or “Exclusive Prime Day Savings”.

Partner with influencers or bloggers for wider reach.

For Amazon sellers, Amazon Sponsored Products or Display Ads can give your listings a significant push.

6. Streamline Customer Experience

Make buying easy and enjoyable:

Test your checkout process and mobile responsiveness.

Respond quickly to questions and messages.

Display trust signals like reviews, shipping info, and refund policies clearly.

Consider using chatbots or live chat on your Shopify or custom store.

7. Analyse and Follow Up

After Prime Day ends:

Review your sales data, traffic sources, and ad performance.

Retarget visitors who browsed but didn’t buy.

Send thank you emails and offer follow-up deals to new customers.

Use the data to refine your strategy for Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and the Christmas season.

Last points to ponder

Prime Day isn’t just about competing on price. It’s your chance to attract long-term customers, showcase your brand, and make your mark in a crowded marketplace. With careful planning and smart execution, your online retail presence can flourish well beyond the 48-hour sales window.

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Using Social Media to Grow Your Customer Base

A strong social media presence can transform your online shop from a side hustle into a thriving business. But it’s not just about followers: It’s about connection.

Choose the Right Platforms

Instagram: Great for product photos, Reels, and Stories.

Pinterest: Ideal for evergreen traffic to your shop or blog.

TikTok: Brilliant for viral content, behind-the-scenes, and trends.

Facebook: Still useful for community groups and targeted ads.

YouTube: Able to show long videos plus shorts, able to run livestreams

X: Good for reaching a big audience

What to Post

Product Shots: Showcase your items in use.

Behind-the-Scenes: People love to see how things are made.

Tips & Tutorials: Offer value beyond the sale.

Customer Testimonials: Social proof builds credibility.

Be Consistent, Not Constant

Aim to post regularly—but don’t burn out. Tools like Buffer or Later help you schedule posts in advance.

Engage With Your Audience

Reply to comments, answer DMs, and show personality in your captions. Algorithms reward interaction.

Bonus Tip: Use Hashtags and Geo-tags

Make it easier for new customers to discover you by tagging relevant keywords and locations.

UK Tax Tips for Sole Traders Running an Online Shop

Selling online as a sole trader? Here’s what you need to know to stay on the right side of HMRC: And keep more of what you earn.

Registering as a Sole Trader

You must register with HMRC if you earn more than £1,000 in a tax year.

Register via the HMRC website and you’ll be given a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).

Keep Accurate Records

Track all sales, expenses, receipts and mileage.

Use software like QuickBooks, Xero or FreeAgent to stay organised.

Know Your Allowable Expenses

You can deduct:

Platform fees (Etsy/Amazon fees)

Postage and packaging

Marketing costs

Office supplies

A portion of home office costs (electricity, broadband, etc.)

Be Aware of VAT Thresholds

If your turnover exceeds £90,000 (as of 2025), you must register for VAT.

Submit Your Self Assessment

Deadline: 31 January for the previous tax year (paper deadline is earlier).

Penalties apply for late filing or payment.

Branding Your Online Shop: A Beginner’s Guide

In a crowded digital marketplace, branding is what sets your shop apart. 

It’s not just about a logo: It’s about the feeling your store gives customers the moment they land on your page. 

Whether you’re on Etsy, Shopify or Amazon, consistent and compelling branding can turn browsers into loyal buyers.

Why Branding Matters

Builds Trust: A cohesive look and feel makes your store appear professional.

Creates Recognition: People remember brands with distinct personalities.

Drives Loyalty: Branding is how you turn one-time buyers into repeat customers.

Key Elements to Focus On

Name: Choose something memorable and easy to spell.

Logo: Invest in a clean, simple design—tools like Canva can help you get started.

Colour Scheme & Fonts: Stick to 2–3 core colours and 1–2 typefaces.

Tone of Voice: Is your shop playful, premium, eco-conscious? Let it show in your copy.

Brand Consistency Is Key

Use your chosen visual and verbal identity across:

Product photos and packaging

Social media

Email newsletters

Customer service replies

How to Set Up and Operate Your Own Online Retail Establishment Using Etsy, Shopify, Amazon or Similar Tools

In today’s digital-first economy, setting up an online retail business is not just potentially viable, it’s often preferable. 

Whether you’re looking to turn your hobby into a side hustle or launch a full-time eCommerce enterprise, platforms like Etsy, Shopify, and Amazon make it easier than ever to get started.

 But while the tools may be powerful, success still depends on careful planning and consistent effort.

Here’s a step-by-step guide to launching your own online retail establishment using some of the most popular platforms available.

1. Choose the Right Platform for Your Product

Each eCommerce platform comes with its own strengths:

Etsy is ideal for handmade, vintage or craft supply items. It caters to buyers looking for unique and creative goods.

Shopify offers a fully customisable eCommerce storefront. Best for those wanting full brand control and scalability.

Amazon gives you access to a massive customer base but comes with high competition and strict seller guidelines.

Tip: Many sellers start on Etsy or Amazon to test the market, then expand to Shopify as their brand grows.

2. Research and Define Your Niche

Even the most user-friendly platform won’t help if you don’t know who you're selling to. Ask yourself:

What problems does your product solve?

Who is your ideal customer?

What are your competitors doing—and how can you do it better?

Use tools like Google Trends, Answer the Public, and each platform’s own search bar to find out what people are searching for.

3. Set Up Your Store

Here's what you need, regardless of platform:

Business Name: Choose something memorable, relevant, and available as a domain.

Logo & Branding: Consistent visuals help build trust.

Product Listings: Use clear photos, compelling descriptions, and relevant keywords.

Pricing Strategy: Consider your costs, competitors, and value proposition.

Platform-Specific Tips:

Etsy: Use all 13 tags and make use of Etsy SEO best practices.

Shopify: Invest in a clean theme and consider useful apps for shipping, upselling, etc.

Amazon: Understand FBA (Fulfilled by Amazon) vs FBM (Fulfilled by Merchant).

4. Sort Out the Logistics

Payment Processors: Stripe, PayPal, or built-in options depending on your platform.

Shipping & Fulfilment: Will you ship yourself or use a fulfilment service?

Taxes & Legalities: Register as a sole trader or limited company and understand your VAT obligations.

In the UK, you’ll need to register with HMRC. Depending on your turnover, you may need to charge VAT. Keep accurate records from day one.

5. Drive Traffic to Your Store

No matter how good your product is, people need to know about it. Here are a few ways to build traffic:

Social Media: Instagram, Pinterest and TikTok are especially good for product-based businesses.

Email Marketing: Build a mailing list and reward sign-ups with discounts.

Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): Optimise product titles and pages with keywords.

Ads: Consider paid advertising on Google, Meta (Facebook/Instagram), or within the platform (Etsy Ads, Amazon Sponsored Products).

6. Provide Stellar Customer Service

Good reviews lead to more sales. Offer excellent customer service, respond to messages promptly, and go the extra mile with packaging and personalisation.

7. Analyse and Improve

Use analytics tools (Google Analytics, Shopify Reports, Amazon Seller Central) to monitor:

Best-selling products

Customer demographics

Conversion rates

Use this data to adjust your pricing, marketing strategy and product offerings.

Points to ponder

Starting an online retail business is a journey that blends creativity, strategy and perseverance. With the right platform and mindset, anyone can tap into the global marketplace and build a successful eCommerce brand. Whether you choose Etsy for its artistic flair, Shopify for its flexibility, or Amazon for its scale, the key is to stay consistent, learn as you go, and always keep your customer at the heart of your business.

Want to Learn More?

Check out our guides on branding your online shop, UK tax tips for sole traders, and using social media to grow your customer base—all right here on That’s Business.

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