Starting an online boutique on Shopify is an exciting venture that allows busy women to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams. However, juggling the responsibilities of running a business and managing other aspects of life such as being a mom, being a wife or even having another full time job, can be challenging! I definitely understand so to help you navigate this journey more efficiently and make the most of your time, I have compiled ten productivity tips specifically tailored for busy women like us. Let's dive in!
1. Set Clear Goals and Prioritize:
Start by defining your goals for your online boutique. Establish both short-term and long-term objectives and prioritize them based on their importance and urgency. This clarity will guide your focus and help you allocate your time effectively. If you have any goals for your life in general, I suggest doing this as well. I was taught at a very early age around goal setting so I am pretty used to it. I have an informational book that I created around how I not only set my goals but how I actually reach them! Grab yours in hardback or paperback HERE
2. Create a Schedule and Stick to It:
Develop a well-structured schedule that includes dedicated blocks of time for different tasks. Set aside specific hours each day for inventory management, marketing, customer service, and other essential aspects of your business. Sticking to a routine will enhance your productivity and ensure you make consistent progress. Something that I have found incredibly helpful during my dedicated blocks of time to ensure I stay distraction free is setting my phone on "focus mode." I do have a Samsung phone so I am not sure what it is called on any other device brand but this mode allows me to have access to certain apps such as social media or games. I can also set certain phone calls and texts to go straight to voicemail. This allows me to not get distracted by anything! If there are times when I NEED to get on Instagram, I will set a timer for a small amount of time so that when it goes off and I happen to be in a rabbit hole, I can get back focused! I also have a schedule on my wall. I have dedicated certain days for certain things. For example, I only work on emails and planning on Sundays. I only shoot YouTube videos or videos for my businesses on Saturdays. Figure out what works best for YOU!
3. Delegate and Outsource:
Recognize that you can't do it all alone. Identify tasks that can be delegated or outsourced, such as content creation, social media management, or customer support. Hiring freelancers or virtual assistants from Fiverr or Upwork can lighten your workload, allowing you to focus on strategic aspects of your boutique. As a past store manager, this was easy but NOT easy to do because as a businessowner, I wanted to ensure that everything was up to my standards and done in the time period I needed. I have used freelancers off Fiverr before to create social media posts but I never used the posts lol. However, with the rise of AI, this has been a game changer for me! I use several different AI tools and I will for sure be creating a YouTube video (and maybe a blog) around the different tools that I suggest for all your businessowners!
4. Utilize Productivity Tools:
Leverage technology to streamline your workflow. Shopify provides a range of built-in tools and apps that can automate various tasks, such as inventory management, order processing, and analytics. Additionally, consider using project management tools like Trello, Asana or even your phone calendar to keep track of your to-do lists and deadlines. I have a video all about the best apps that I use for my Shopify sites. You can watch it HERE
5. Optimize Your Website:
Ensure your online boutique is user-friendly and visually appealing. Optimize the layout, navigation, and product displays to provide a seamless shopping experience for your customers. Streamlined websites not only improve customer satisfaction but also save you time on addressing unnecessary support emails and things of that nature.
6. Take Advantage of Social Media Scheduling:
Maintaining a strong social media presence is crucial for your boutique's success. Use social media scheduling tools like Hootsuite, Later, Planoly or Buffer to plan and automate your posts in advance. This way, you can maintain consistent engagement with your audience while reducing the time spent on daily content creation. I use the Later app and now you can schedule posts in Instagram itself!
7. Implement Efficient Inventory Management:
Keep your inventory organized and up-to-date to avoid unnecessary delays and customer dissatisfaction. From experience, I am telling you that this is a necessity. Regularly review your stock levels, invest in inventory management tools, and consider adopting a just-in-time inventory system to optimize your product availability and reduce storage costs if you have a warehouse outside of your home.
8. Embrace Email and Communication Templates:
Crafting individualized responses to every email or customer inquiry can be time-consuming. Create a library of email and communication templates to address common questions, inquiries, or order-related issues. Customizing these templates for each situation will save you valuable time while ensuring personalized interactions. You should have ALOT of automations already created so that time is also saved for sending out segmented communication.
9. Delegate Personal Responsibilities:
Not only should you delegate business needs but take the time to find a way to delegate household chores, errands, or childcare responsibilities whenever possible to maintain a healthy work-life balance. This will for sure prevent burnout!
10. Practice Self-Care:
Remember to prioritize self-care to make room for yourself. Ensure you allocate time for exercise, rest, and spending quality time with loved ones. Find a self care routine that works for you so that you can relax and unwind. I find it easier to be alone at night when everyone is asleep. That is when I meditate, write in my gratitude/prayer journal, eat/watch what I want or just in silence if need be!
Starting and growing an online boutique on Shopify can be a fulfilling and profitable endeavor for busy women. By implementing these productivity tips, you can streamline your operations, make efficient use of your time, and achieve a successful and sustainable business. Stay focused, stay organized, and remember to find moments of joy and fulfillment amidst the entrepreneurial journey. Good luck with everything!