How to Start an eCommerce Business Book: 5 Expert-Recommended Reads for eCommerce Beginners

Starting an eCommerce business can feel like stepping into the unknown. But don’t worry! One of the best ways to cut through the confusion is to read how to start an eCommerce business book.

They’ll walk you through the steps, help you avoid pitfalls, and give you the confidence to start.

But not just any book will do. You need ones that speak to beginners. Books written by experts that offer clear advice without the jargon.

If you’re searching for a how to start an eCommerce business book, look no further. Let’s dive into five expert-recommended reads that are perfect for eCommerce beginners.

1. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries
2. Ecommerce Evolved by Tanner Larsson
3. Dotcom Secrets by Russell Brunson
4. Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller
5. The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib

1. The Lean Startup by Eric Ries

Why reinvent the wheel when someone has already paved the way? "The Lean Startup" is all about learning quickly and staying agile. Imagine building your business like you’d stack blocks. You place one block at a time, testing to see if it stands before you move on. Ries explains how you can start small, test ideas, and tweak things before making big decisions.

Key takeaways:

Build-Measure-Learn: This feedback loop allows you to start small, test, and improve rapidly.
Minimum Viable Product (MVP): Launch with just enough features to gather early feedback.
Pivot or Persevere: Make decisions based on real data. You either change direction or continue refining your product.
Validated Learning: Focus on learning what your customers need and want. Do not just assume.

It’s a must-read for any beginner who wants to be smart and efficient. The language is clear, and the advice? Spot-on.

2. Ecommerce Evolved by Tanner Larsson

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Think of this book as a toolbox filled with eCommerce secrets. Tanner Larsson doesn’t just skim the surface. He digs deep, giving you practical advice that you can apply from day one.

Want to know the nuts and bolts of how to build an online store that lasts? Larsson has your back. The book covers everything from finding the right product to driving traffic.

Key takeaways:

Evolutionary Approach:Focus on continuous improvement in your store. Don't aim for perfection from the start.
Three-Tier Business Model: For a sustainable eCommerce business, having a front-end, middle, and back-end structure is important.
Optimization and Conversion: Optimize every aspect of your store to boost conversions.
Traffic Diversification: Don't rely on one source of traffic. Learn how to generate traffic from multiple channels like paid ads, organic search, and affiliates.
Customer Value Maximization: Learn strategies to increase your customer lifetime value. This includes upsells, cross-sells, and retention tactics.

It’s like having a mentor beside you, showing you the ropes. And the best part? It’s written in a way that’s easy to understand, making it perfect for beginners.

3. Dotcom Secrets by Russell Brunson

Ever wonder why some online stores seem to succeed effortlessly while others struggle? "Dotcom Secrets" holds the answer. Think of this book as a treasure map for business. You'll discover hidden strategies for attracting customers and boosting sales.

Key takeaways:

Sales Funnels: Build effective sales funnels that guides potential customers from interest to purchase.
Value Ladder: Learn how to structure your products and services. This will help customers move up from lower-priced items to premium offers.
Attractive Character: Create a persona or "attractive character" for your brand. This is the key to connecting with your audience and building trust.
Traffic Sources: Brunson breaks down different ways to drive traffic to your site, including paid traffic, organic traffic, and earned traffic.
The Hook, Story, Offer Framework: Understand how to craft compelling hooks and engaging stories to pair with irresistible offers, making your product or service stand out.

Even if the idea of "sales funnels" sounds complicated, don’t worry—he makes it simple. With this book, you’ll learn to turn visitors into buyers.

And before you know it, you’ll have a system that practically runs itself.

4. Building a StoryBrand by Donald Miller

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Customers don’t just buy products—they buy stories. Building a StoryBrand teaches you how to tell your business’s story in a way that truly connects with customers.

In the eCommerce world, having a strong brand story can make all the difference in how people relate to your products. Miller explains that clarity is key.

If your message is confusing, customers won’t engage. But if you can communicate simply and directly, people will understand what you offer and how it benefits them.

Key takeaways:

Clarify Your Brand’s Message: Simplify your business's message so customers instantly understand what you offer and why it matters.
Customer as the Hero: Focus on making the customer the hero of your story, with your brand serving as their guide.
Seven-Part Framework: Follow the StoryBrand framework. It includes the customer, their problem, a guide (your brand), a plan, a call to action, the avoidance of failure, and their ultimate success.
Value Proposition: Make your value proposition crystal clear. Focus on how your products solve a specific problem for your customers.
Effective Communication: Use simple, direct language to connect with customers and address their needs.
Call to Action: Be clear about what you want your customers to do next. Is it to purchase, sign up, or take another action?
Storytelling Power: Craft a compelling story that connects with customers. This drives deeper engagement with your brand.

Another great thing about this book is that it’s easy to follow, even if you’re new to eCommerce. The steps are simple, and Miller provides plenty of real life examples, so you can see exactly how to apply the principles to your own business.

5. The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib

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Marketing can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re starting out. The 1-Page Marketing Plan by Allan Dib breaks it down into simple steps.

This book helps you create a clear marketing strategy on just one page, making it easy to execute.

Key takeaways:

Three Phases of Marketing: Focuses on these phases of marketing—attract, convert, and retain customers.
Customer Targeting: Identify and target the right audience for your product. This avoids wasting marketing efforts on uninterested customers.
Crafting the Right Message: Deliver a clear and compelling message that speaks directly to your ideal customers.
Sales Process: Map out a simple and effective sales process to convert leads into paying customers.
Automation: Discover how to automate parts of your marketing strategy so you can focus on scaling your business.
One-Page Framework: The beauty of the book lies in its simplicity—putting everything onto one page helps you keep your marketing focused and actionable.

Dib explains how to get the right message to the right people at the right time. You’ll learn how to attract, convert, and keep customers.

The best part? It’s all actionable advice that you can apply right away, no matter how new you are to eCommerce.

Invest in Your Knowledge

If you're looking for the best advice on starting your online store, start with these five books. These books provide practical steps and actionable insights.

Remember, reading one "How to start an eCommerce business book" can make a world of difference. But reading several will give you an edge. Dive into these expert recommendations and set yourself up for success.

By applying what you learn, you'll not only build a strong foundation for your business but also avoid common mistakes that could slow you down. So grab one of these books, and start your journey toward e-commerce success today.

Now it's your turn— which book will you start with?

Once you're done reading these books, check out this tools to get your eCommerce store up and running.

Author

Rhea Diamante

Rhea Diamante is a copywriter at Debutify, where she crafts compelling and engaging content. With a knack for storytelling and a keen eye for detail, she ensures every piece she writes resonates with the audience and drives results.