It’s never good to keep things bottled up — especially the potential of your wine business. According to Statista, the online alcoholic drinks market generated 17 billion dollars in revenue in 2023 — that’s 10 billion dollars more (a 143 percent increase) than five years ago. So if your small business hasn’t tapped into e-commerce, now’s the time to sell wine online.
Let’s be honest — leveraging online sales can be a challenge for those who don’t have experience selling their products in the digital realm. But learning to take advantage of the internet for your wine store can uncork a serious revenue stream.
There’s a lot to figure out before you can get to that point, so take it slow and follow the process. Lucky for you, we’re here to help you understand how to sell wine online, the steps to get started, tips on leveraging your e-commerce platform, and how to stand out from the competition.
Why is it important for my store to sell wine online?
The biggest advantage of your store having an online presence is the ability to reach more customers outside of your direct geographical area. This makes your store more accessible for those that don’t live nearby, and allows you to gain visibility from people that wouldn’t see your store while they’re driving to work or out on a walk.
Another factor as to why it’s important to sell wine online is the convenience that online shopping offers. It’s much easier (and increasingly popular) to have products delivered to your doorstep if you live a certain distance from the store. Your customers can order online and choose pickup as an option, too — letting them browse products from the comfort of their homes instead of walking through your wine shop. This is a great option for customers who aren’t within the delivery radius as well.
What are the first steps to take when creating an online wine store?
The first step that you need to take before you can sell wine online is to research the laws and regulations in your area. Each state has their own requirements for online liquor and wine sales — including age verification and licensing.
Once you’re sure you’re following all local regulations and guidelines, you can choose an e-commerce platform that best suits your small business. Some platforms, such as BottleZoo, make things easy on wine store owners by offering hands-off website creation, integrated inventory management features, and a simple, user-friendly interface.
After you’re set up, you need to decide how to handle delivery. Will you hire in-house delivery drivers, or work with a third-party service like DoorDash?
You should also consider your target audience when building your online presence. What is your ideal customer base? Nearly 40 percent of online liquor and wine sales come from millennials and Gen Z, according to Wine Business, so any effective wine e-commerce store should be sure to cater to a younger market compared to most traditional wine retailers.
How do e-commerce platforms work with in-store inventory?
Before you pull the trigger on an e-commerce platform, make sure it integrates with your point of sale solution. Modern e-commerce platforms (that are supported by your POS software) have the capability to track stock levels in real time, meaning you won’t ever oversell a product. This also affords you the time needed to restock products so that your customers are never disappointed by “out of stock” labels.
Additionally, the best e-commerce platforms for wine stores offer in-depth data analytics so that you can make the best decisions for your business. You can easily find your best- and worst-selling products, making your life easier when inventory planning.
Most e-commerce platforms will integrate with other systems that your wine store may use, including (but not limited to) CRM tools, accounting software, and email marketing services. They also can streamline the order fulfillment process, printing shipping labels and keeping customers informed on shipping status.
Choosing the right e-commerce platform is a big decision, so it is key to figure out what you want to get out of your online store before choosing a platform.
How can I separate my online wine store from competitors?
Simply having an online wine store puts you one step ahead of the competition. But you can level up by finding a way to effectively market to your customer base.
There are several ways to do this, such as sending exclusive deals to existing customers via text, or printing off in-store advertisements with a QR code. Consider running “Web Discount Wednesday” or “Thirsty Thursday” promotions to have customers regularly visit your online wine store. You can also run paid ads on Facebook or Instagram targeting your main customer demographic.
Once you do get people to your online marketplace, be sure to make it a memorable experience. Include photos, the story behind your business, and bios on unique products. Consider adding reviews for each product so customers can share their experience with both the wine and your small business.
Sell Wine Online with Bottle POS and BottleZoo
Still looking for a hand in selling wine online? We’re here to help!
Bottle POS makes it easy to get your wine shop online with our in-house e-commerce platform, BottleZoo.
BottleZoo integrates directly with your point of sale, making pickup and delivery a breeze, giving you full visibility on inventory, and helping you reach new customers who wouldn’t have known about your business before going online.
With over 500 liquor stores listed and one million website views, BottleZoo is a reliable e-commerce solution for any small business looking to sell wine online.
We want to help you make the best decision for your business, so schedule a demo with one of our leading industry experts to see if Bottle POS and BottleZoo are the right solutions for your wine shop.
