If you’re an animal lover, you might be considering opening your own animal-related business. Starting an animal-related business can be an excellent way to follow your passion and make good money.
You’ll need the right knowledge, equipment and resources to make your business a success. You might be surprised by how many animal-centred companies can benefit from using quality e-commerce platforms like Shopify.
While many animal-related businesses may require in-person services, there are plenty of online stores that thrive selling products to pet owners.
In addition, you could advertise your in-person services on an e-commerce platform like Shopify, which could help your customers understand more about the quality of service you provide.
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Dog Walking
It may seem unnecessary to create an e-commerce website for a dog-walking business, but you’ll be surprised by how useful it can be. E-commerce platforms aren’t just helpful in selling physical products; they can be used to sell services as well.
By using Shopify’s e-commerce platform, you can provide customers with information on your various services, pricing structure and what you can do for them.
As a dog walker, you could offer a wide range of services. You could list one-to-one walks, walking of varying lengths, walks that include off-lead opportunities and more. You can price each service depending on how complex, time-consuming or energy-intensive it might be.
By listing all your services online, a customer can check out the different options at their leisure to choose the one that best suits them and their pet. You could also set up a subscription option for your loyal repeat dog-walking customers.
Pet Sitting
Pet sitting is another popular service among pet owners. There are many reasons why an owner might need their pets to be cared for.
They might be going on holiday or away for a business, or they may be unable to due to illness or injury. Whatever the reason, there is significant demand for responsible, caring pet sitters.
You’ll need to be able to show the owners you’re sitting for that you are able to take care of their pets to the same standard as they would themselves.
A quality website can be a great way to do this, as you can fill the site with pictures of the happy pets you’ve cared for and testimonials from past happy customers.
You can use the same techniques for selling your services as dog walkers, listing the various services available and offering subscriptions for regular users.
Training
As more and more people become pet owners, there is a real need for training services. Many pet owners live busy lives with childcare and work commitments.
It can be tough to fit training into their busy schedules, but it is still crucial to ensure that pets have the proper training. In particular, dog owners have a legal requirement to be able to control their dogs in public.
Dogs of any size can present dangers to adults and children if they are untrained or uncontrollable.
By building a Shopify website, you can use the platform as an educational tool for pet owners. You can stress the importance of good training for pets and offer advice and tutorials on how to train pets at home. You can also provide coaching services and training manuals for sale on your website.
Pet Beds And Accessories
There are various accessories available to pets and pet owners, ranging from beds to leads and harnesses to carry crates. There is a lot of competition in this area, so you’ll need to offer something uniquely beneficial to attract customers.
It may also help to hire a professional agency like Charle which can help you grow your SEO and marketing in your Shopify store.
It is a good idea to look for a niche in the pet bed and accessory market. Finding an underserved section of the market can help you gain traction and a devoted customer base.
You could consider making beds or accessories designed for a specific breed or options aimed towards nervous or anxious pets. You should ensure that your product is of the highest quality and thoroughly tested before you bring it out for sale.
Grooming
Many popular pets require regular grooming for their health and comfort. Long-haired breeds of cats, dogs and rabbits, in particular, will require regular grooming. While a lot of grooming care can be done at home, most pet owners prefer to get regular professional grooming done as well.
This can ensure that the grooming is thorough and can tackle difficult areas like clipping nails, which need to be done safely. You could advertise your services through Shopify and use your e-commerce website to show the benefits of regular professional grooming.
Like with dog walking or pet sitting, it could also help to offer subscription services on your Shopify site for regular customers.
Animal Photography
Pets are often valued members of the family. Just as people like to display pictures of their loved ones at home, they often like to put up pictures of their beloved pets. It is not always easy to take good-quality pictures of animals, so many people turn to animal photographers to help them get the perfect frameable shots.
You’ll need to be good with a camera and with animals to succeed in this career. You’ll also need an extensive portfolio of photos of different species of animals to show your skill. You could display your portfolio and testimonials on your Shopify website, along with your pricing structure and photo editing services.
Toys
Getting into the pet toy industry can be a very lucrative option. There is a lot of competition in this area, but if you can offer something unique, you could build a very successful enterprise. An e-commerce store is a must for any business that sells products, so Shopify can be invaluable in this venture.
Like with pet beds and accessories, it is a good idea to find a niche in the market to cater to. This could include things like indestructible toys for pets that can be rough with their toys or sensory toys that can stimulate a pet’s mind.
You should be sure to test your products thoroughly, particularly for things like indestructible toys, which can be a tricky claim to make.
Animal Shelter
Opening an animal shelter is no small feat. You’ll need a lot of funding, appropriate facilities and equipment, and dedicated staff with the right knowledge and expertise to care for animals.
The premises you’re operating out of may require licencing or planning permission from your local council, so you should do your homework to understand the restrictions and requirements.
An e-commerce platform like Shopify can help your shelter in many ways. Shelters need quality websites to educate people about the good work they’re doing.
They can also be used to give information on the pets that are available for adoption. Your website can also generate income by allowing people to donate and sell branded merchandise that you can customize yourself using a desktop DTF printer.
Summing Up
Any business, small or large, can benefit from a quality business website and e-commerce store. No matter what service or product you provide, Shopify has the tools to help you succeed.
Pet owners want to know that they are getting the very best for their beloved animals, so it is crucial that you can showcase your advantages to prospective customers.
A high-quality, intuitive and simple-to-use website and e-commerce platform can say a lot about you as a business, helping you attract and retain customers who want the best for their pets.
