Starting An Online Store in South Africa | 5 Things to Consider Before You Do

There is plenty of opportunity for e-commerce business in South Africa. However, starting an online store takes careful planning and consideration.
It’s been one year since I started my own online marketplace, iZULU. I’ve made tons of mistakes but I’ve also learnt A LOT. In this video, I’m sharing 5 things that I think are super important to think about before taking the leap and launching an online shop, especially here in sunny South Africa.
Points covered include:
1. Startup Capital
2. Product
3. Marketing
4. Fulfilment Method
5. Differentiation
Visit www.izulu.shop/ to browse through our catalogue of great local products.
If you’re a business owner looking to trade on iZULU, you can find all the info you need here: www.izulu.shop/vendors
Comment below if you’d like me to make more e-commerce related videos.
THANKS FOR WATCHING!
M U S I C
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S U B S C R I B E
/ @andixaba
New Videos Every Tuesday (and sometimes Thursdays too!)
F O L L O W
Instagram | @andixaba
Twitter | @andixaba
Website | www.izulu.shop
Instagram | @izulu.shop
Facebook | / izulu.shop
A B O U T M E
I'm Andiswa - career girl and entrepreneur. I'm super excited to take you all along this crazy ride. Starting a business is much more than what people make it seem. It takes grit, hard work, and a lot of learning. I'm taking you through the trenches and on the mountaintops with me, giving you a good look inside the life of a startup entrepreneur AND sharing all the things I’ve learnt/will learn along the way.
Let’s get SOCIAL!

[@muvhuyamudau4081]

Finally a South African youtuber so relatable

[@michellewhitneyprince1298]

And extremely well spoken and knowledgeable

[@hardcorecrypto6737]

Hi it's bitcoin opportunity I have been doubting his platform until I gave him a try with the sum of $150 USD luckily for me I received my profits of $1600 USD thanks to Mr Williams for his good work contact him if you may have an interest to invest on his platform here also his WhatsApp contact
[phone]
@cryptowillams

[@somethingbronzie]

Yes girl we want and NEED to know. Whoop whoop for an SA take on ecommerce🥳

[@vanessavanmusic]

Yes please! I would love to learn more. Thx for your info 😊

[@yaneliswakhoza5901]

I needed this video cc thanks let me binge watch your videos

[@nomfundoshangase3834]

Wow. Thank you sis. This information was great!👍

[@Xanddy035]

This is an amazing video. I gained alot of insight🙏🏾🔥

[@adriaanvennerscheepers718]

Great video, thank you Andi!

[@mpotseng_bentley]

This is so informative and I need to get hold of you.

[@keltonnayana8284]

Very informative. Thank you for the great content.

[@somethingbronzie]

This is the best definition of drop shipping I've ever heard ! Thank you thank you Dankie!!!!

[@AndiXaba]

Thank you so much 🙏 appreciate your feedback!

[@lolafebruary1887]

Thank you for sharing, I love the idea of your platform for solely South African products. Definitely going to refer to your business in one of my videos

[@AndiXaba]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@banele_tshabalala]

This was just awesome, reminded of concepts I had totally forgotten about. Thank you very much

[@AndiXaba]

Glad to hear that!

[@yolekankosi2304]

Thank you babe 🥰please do a vedio on which plug- ins are essential, payment gateways etc...

[@thabangmabe_]

Really great video! Very informative🙌🏾🔥

[@chizobagule9024]

Andi, I had no idea you had a YT channel! It came up in my suggested feed, so congrats boo. This is great content ♥️

[@AndiXaba]

Thank you, Chi Chi 💕 really appreciate the feedback!

[@sandiswamntwini4770]

Thank you lady. Great content.

[@lindiwemkhize6408]

Came across yo channel while researching on this topic. So helpful.... Thank you so much for the info

[@AndiXaba]

I’m so glad to hear that! Thanks for watching 💕

[@claireshoniwa8165]

Very insightful am in South Africa and passionately driven to start my own e-commerce stores thank you🙏🏾. Any videos giving more details in the e-commerce space will be appreciated

[@AndiXaba]

Thanks for the feedback 💕 Will definitely be making more videos on e-commerce in the coming weeks!

[@Vate_Syl]

Very exciting 😊I love this

[@peculiqrs1799]

Thank you 💜💜 this is so informative, love your channel (subbed immediately 😅😹😹)

[@faisalmalik12one7]

nice info..keep sharing pl👌🙏

[@tunasha8883]

Love this thanks

[@siyabongagwala6066]

You are amazing ma noNkosi, ulisusile ufasimbe emehlweni wami. That's is why I followed you channel immediately. I have been in a provess to set up an online store but bengi mancikancika ngalolo daba. Nami angazi ngoba bengifuna ukusixhumanisa nabantu balapha ekhaya kodwa ngakhumbula ukuthi nakimi imbala kulikhuni ukudedela imali yami kulobuxhakaxhaka bobuchwepheshe besimanje. I think I'm gonna embark to more research and thank you for pioneering up a great marketing platform like iZulu. I love you ❤🔥🙌👌✌

[@exaucemayer]

Im starting an online store and launching it next year February and I love your video. Thank you

[@AndiXaba]

Thank you sis! All the best for your launch - let me know how it all goes ✨

[@kabelodiphoko5892]

Great video. Very insightful

[@thessavanzyl]

You are stunning. Please make more videos on this topic.

[@HOLO_FX]

Awesome video

[@karabothape9379]

Thank you so much for making this video. It is so informative, engaging and readily comprehensible.

[@AndiXaba]

Glad it was helpful! 💕

[@joshualinejoskid7390]

Hi

[@sphamandlambeje9524]

Thank you sthandwa I'm learning from you

[@palesa5881]

Eyyy just became your 1k subscriber. Loved this video ❤️

[@AndiXaba]

Yay! Thank you 🙏🏽 ☺️ 💕

[@mogiegovender3169]

Hi Andiswa. Thank you for your insight on this subject. I found it very informative. I am currently researching about selling online.I havent decided on a product yet ,as I am considering many options.Will contact you if need be.Thank you once again dear.

[@abislifeandfood6432]

Hey i would like you talk more on this, i am starting my natural, organic locally produced hair products. I nees a lot of info as i am planning to create an e-commerce.

[@kutullompulwane8901]

Hey.. Thank you very much. The content is very helpful.

[@kutullompulwane8901]

How does Izulu handle shipping?

[@joyshub1101]

Truly helpful 🥺🥺

[@joyshub1101]

Thank you for this🥺🥺

[@ayeshagaffoor1910]

Thank You for the video. Having a hard time finding help with starting the actual Online website. Where do i start.

[@ohman-motivation]

Loving the intro

[@marybaloyi5618]

great one

[@becomingwithkb6896]

Amazing content 😍😍, Thank you sis🍃

[@AndiXaba]

Thank you so much 💕🙏🏽

[@avelafipaza3320]

thanks Andi im even more keen to venture into e-commerce keep up the good work!!!

[@vinassesakala6122]

Heyyy thank you so much for the information, really appreciate it but the background music is a bit loud n distracting, it was hard to concentrate for people like me loool but thank you chickaaa

[@mbali4369]

Hi Andi. Thank you for creating this video. Yes to more related content

[@AndiXaba]

You got it! 💕

[@hardcorecrypto6737]

Hi it's bitcoin opportunity I have been doubting his platform until I gave him a try with the sum of $150 USD luckily for me I received my profits of $1600 USD thanks to Mr Williams for his good work contact him if you may have an interest to invest on his platform here also his WhatsApp contact
[phone]
@cryptowillams

[@mudindan_n]

Andi, Thank you so much

[@Ash-to1gp]

Great video! What is the ball park figure needed to get off the ground? Also, how do you vet your product? thanks !

[@melissakhoza2364]

You are so well spoken n well informed. Thank u for this video❤️

[@AndiXaba]

You're so kind, thank you for watching 💕

[@hardcorecrypto6737]

Hi it's bitcoin opportunity I have been doubting his platform until I gave him a try with the sum of $150 USD luckily for me I received my profits of $1600 USD thanks to Mr Williams for his good work contact him if you may have an interest to invest on his platform here also his WhatsApp contact
[phone]
@cryptowillams

[@sithembisobonganishoba6737]

I love this, I've learnt a lot.

[@AndiXaba]

Glad to hear it! Thanks for watching!

[@thabosiphiwemngoma4772]

Could you please give us your insight on why the South African Market is reluctant on participating in e-shopping and strategies on how to stimulate it.

[@ayandanobatana3440]

I'm a new subscriber ❤

[@johng5295]

Great content.

[@frankyntimoney]

Hey thank you so much for the information but im a little confused whn it comes to finding International vendors
They need a resellers permit and I don’t really know what that is in SA

[@ricardochetty2121]

Thank you for the video
I am interested in knowing
How we advertise our products on your iszulu website

[@simply_mandiiemkhonto1921]

thanks for this video, it really helped to clarify somethings for me . i would like to know if you have made a video about fulfillment methods

[@AndiXaba]

Glad you found this help! Fulfilment methods video coming up soon!

[@msgeebw]

Very helpful - Botswana

[@justpassing6643]

Informative video, powerful. Thank you for this. Please tell me how you came across this information, I have been trying to find steps on how to open an online store and procure products locally and globally, but my research skills just seem to lead me to dead ends. So what are your methods of research?

[@Ongezwa_Ntsepe]

very informative love

[@ag_kwalarelaxationsoundfor6601]

Hello izulu. Good content.ake video on how join space

[@bangiswaniashantie4686]

Nice. You explained it so well. How can i design my own website without paying someone to do it for me?

[@ntombizodwamotsoene4579]

Hey Andy, I am new subbie, a very informative content, thank you Sis wam

[@AndiXaba]

Ngiyabonga sisi 💕

[@iambloopy]

Hey ❤ can you please do a video on shipping?

[@reo600]

Love your content !

[@AndiXaba]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@cindylederle6076]

Love your video - so real and relevant !!!! Thank you ! I want to know : I am using WIX for my website but I am stumped at the payment side. I have not registered a company yet as I am not sure how this will grow and develop in the future, I really want to know about payments from outside of ZA - either using Paypal or by Credit card ??? Can you help me please?

[@okthisisawkward]

Great video, very informative 👌🏾

[@AndiXaba]

Glad to hear it! Thank you for watching 🙏🏽

[@gabikunda3952]

I just came across your channel today and I love your content.just subscribed from Botswana.

[@AndiXaba]

Welcome and thank you for the support 💕

[@hardcorecrypto6737]

Hi it's bitcoin opportunity I have been doubting his platform until I gave him a try with the sum of $150 USD luckily for me I received my profits of $1600 USD thanks to Mr Williams for his good work contact him if you may have an interest to invest on his platform here also his WhatsApp contact
[phone]
@cryptowillams

[@MrsDyarvane]

😍😍jij your store is beautifully setup

[@AndiXaba]

Thank you so much 🙏🏽💕

[@soulfulsessionswithsihleen3522]

Hi Sis Andiswa, do you advice using one specific model for all of your products or the pre-make model for smaller items and then the make to order model for bigger items?

[@Snenhlanhlangc]

Hi andi, thank you for the insightful information but I was wondering if I could set up shop with I Zulu marketplace and use it as the website for my business and can I customise the domain name or website link?

[@Pthulo]

love learning from other queens

[@hardcorecrypto6737]

Hi it's bitcoin opportunity I have been doubting his platform until I gave him a try with the sum of $150 USD luckily for me I received my profits of $1600 USD thanks to Mr Williams for his good work contact him if you may have an interest to invest on his platform here also his WhatsApp contact
[phone]
@cryptowillams

[@_zoesh]

awesome, thank you, great informative video !

[@lwazixaba2750]

Siyabonga 🙏🏽

[@InsiderSA]

THANK YOU

[@luvomemeza9599]

I'm launching my store soon, I'm promoting the local clothing brands in Durban. This was very insightful ^_^I'll come back and drop my link if that's okay

[@jibsonlara6363]

I earn $20,000 weekly from my blockchain wallet with the help of Mrs Rose I recommend her as the best trader her testimony is everywhere for more info contact her on [e-mail] or WhatsApp: [phone]

[@kgauheloletsholo5083]

your store looks stunning 😍😍😍😍😍

[@AndiXaba]

Thank you 🙏🏽 💕

[@nomahlubiminter4533]

This is Gold🤞🏾

[@AndiXaba]

Thank you 💕

[@traceykhumalo]

Wow... Amazing❤️

[@AndiXaba]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@clintchrystie6727]

Love your content ❤

[@AndiXaba]

Thank you 🙏🏽

[@techbusinesseducation3838]

Keep talking about this topic Dear you doing well!

[@techbusinesseducation3838]

Online store and selling products packaged and marketing and Ads facebook ads and google ads. E - COMMERCE FACTORS & Entrepreneurship Online.

[@hardcorecrypto6737]

Hi it's bitcoin opportunity I have been doubting his platform until I gave him a try with the sum of $150 USD luckily for me I received my profits of $1600 USD thanks to Mr Williams for his good work contact him if you may have an interest to invest on his platform here also his WhatsApp contact
[phone]
@cryptowillams

[@FernandoMussole]

Hi was good to hear about e comercio in South Africa what about us in Angola?

[@kathrynk9231]

Hi thank you for the video❤️
Can you please make a detailed video on how to create a larger clientele base through Facebook and instagram.
Can you also recommend a company or individual who can create a website like yours?
And if I have a product I want to sell on your website how can I contact you?

[@_kingkaizen]

Hi Andi. I want to know if your selling platform is an established/upcoming brand and if it drives a lot of traffic.

[@nathanaelletuka4420]

Subscribed

[@fungailarrisaphiri3224]

Hello great info thank you, may I know the legal requirements

[@monampanethobejane9065]

Hi,do you know anything about ready made stores and what is your take on them

[@aphiwemkhwanazi2041]

where can i buy hair extensions / hair piece in bulk in south africa?

[@pumzandziweni8434]

What am interested in,is to know,how the store is done on the computer?is it something you can do yourself or its a must to hire some1

[@tanyalootsrestoredermapigm9077]

What is the best way to ship from SA? Courier or Post Office.

[@cay3453]

Great video Andi ;)

[@AndiXaba]

Thank you!

[@Accummen_ENT]

Good day Andi, does location matter when it when selling online? Johannesburg vs Cape Town?

[@busicingo9729]

More Please!!!

[@hardcorecrypto6737]

Hi it's bitcoin opportunity I have been doubting his platform until I gave him a try with the sum of $150 USD luckily for me I received my profits of $1600 USD thanks to Mr Williams for his good work contact him if you may have an interest to invest on his platform here also his WhatsApp contact
[phone]
@cryptowillams

[@teeproeducation5906]

Hello sister, where do you stock your products?

[@mastachefdj]

Quick question, as a beginner. Hkw do you stay motivated and consistent?

[@angieblazing]

I want to start an online store, but I'm not in South Africa and won't be for a year. How do I go about my online store? can I use my personal bank account for now

[@kaborong_sedibe]

What about shopify?

[@theresemadjou5047]

I'm looking for an e-commerce website that ships to other countries here in South Africa

[@yasminekazadi1656]

what platform did u use to build your online store?

[@anthonlukhele4892]

Hi Andiswa. Thanks for the valuable content. I'm still setting up my shop and i have opted for the VIP plan but WIX tells me through the site that i must upgrade my plan in order to be able to take orders online. Is there a way to bypass this and be able to receive orders online? Thank you! Keep shining!

[@AndiXaba]

Hi Anthon, to be able to accept orders on Wix, you need to be on a Business/E-Commerce plan, not just a premium plan like VIP. I would just switch over to the Business Basic plan... that will allow you to accept orders and it's actually cheaper than the VIP plan.

[@mantshegoselepe3844]

I would like to start an online dropshipping store but don't know how

[@lebogangntshole5113]

Very insightful...I've realized that apps like Ecwid are not yet applicable to Africa market.ryt now I used Wix to setup the shop...which app would you recommend for building the website

[@AndiXaba]

Hi there, you don't actually need to use an e-commerce app like Ecwid. Wix already has built-in e-commerce features. On your Wix dashboard you'll find a place to add products, set up shipping, payment gateways etc. You can then go to your Wix Editor to "Add Store Elements" like your products to your website.

[@ikeepforgeting8169]

What are the taxes you pay for your online business....

[@lolafebruary1887]

Really enjoying your videos. I make similar content on my channel, yours is inspirational!!🤩

[@zomusagambu3727]

Can you help us with creating our own website page please please please