Sell Play Games
Sell Play Games Online: A Guide to Launching Your E-Commerce Store for Gaming Products
The gaming industry is booming, and selling play games online—whether video games, board games, card games, or mobile games—can be a lucrative venture. With the right platform, marketing strategy, and understanding of your audience, you can tap into this growing market and build a successful e-commerce business.
Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you start selling play games online.
1. Identify Your Game Niche
The gaming world is vast, and you’ll need to identify your niche to stand out. Below are some popular categories for online game sales:
- Video Games: Whether for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, or Nintendo Switch, video games are a significant part of the market.
- Board Games: Traditional board games like Monopoly, Catan, or Ticket to Ride appeal to a large audience. Newer or independent board games are gaining popularity as well.
- Card Games: Collectible card games (like Magic: The Gathering or Yu-Gi-Oh!) and casual card games (like UNO or Exploding Kittens) also have a thriving community.
- Mobile Games: In-app purchases or mobile game bundles can also be sold, especially for games with microtransactions or in-game currency.
- Party Games: Fun, group-friendly games like Codenames, Pictionary, or trivia-based games.
- Indie Games: Many indie developers are looking for platforms to sell their games. This can be a good niche if you want to support independent creators.
- Virtual Reality (VR) Games: As VR technology becomes more mainstream, VR games are a growing market.
Focusing on a niche will allow you to target a specific customer base, such as board game enthusiasts, competitive gamers, or casual mobile players.
2. Choose Your E-Commerce Platform
To sell games online, you need an e-commerce platform that suits your business model. Here are some options:
Custom Storefront (Ordefy)
- Ordefy offers a SaaS-based e-commerce platform that allows you to create a fully customized store for selling games online. With an easy-to-use interface, you can set up your store, manage products, track inventory, and handle payments—all from one place. You can also integrate your store with social media channels to drive more sales.
3. Create Compelling Product Listings
Your product listings are key to converting visitors into customers. Make sure your listings are informative, eye-catching, and optimized for search engines.
For Digital Games:
- Game Title: Use the full game name, including platform-specific details (e.g., “Minecraft for PC”).
- Detailed Descriptions: Provide game descriptions, system requirements (if digital), gameplay modes (multiplayer, co-op), and age ratings.
- Screenshots & Trailers: Include high-quality images and trailers showcasing the game in action. If it’s a digital download, a demo or gameplay video can encourage purchases.
- Pricing & Licensing Information: Clearly display the price and any information related to licensing, subscription models, or in-game purchases.
For Physical Games (Board/Card Games):
- Product Title: Include the game name, the number of players, and game type (board game, card game, etc.).
- Detailed Descriptions: Explain the rules, age range, playtime, and the type of gameplay experience it offers.
- Images: Showcase pictures of the game’s components—board, pieces, cards, and packaging.
- Customer Reviews: Positive customer reviews can help build trust and increase sales.
4. Integrate Secure Payment Methods
To ensure smooth transactions, integrate trusted and secure payment gateways. Popular options include:
- PayPal
- Stripe
- Credit/Debit Card Processing
- Apple Pay and Google Pay
- Cryptocurrency (if you want to appeal to a niche market)
Make sure your payment process is secure and that customer information is protected, particularly when dealing with digital game downloads or sensitive payment data.
5. Offer Multiple Shipping and Delivery Options
If you’re selling physical games, offer flexible shipping options. Here are a few things to consider:
- Free Shipping: Offer free shipping if possible, or include it in the price of the game to make your listings more attractive.
- International Shipping: Depending on where your customers are located, offer international shipping for broader reach.
- Express Shipping: For customers who want their games quickly, provide expedited shipping options.
- Digital Downloads: If you’re selling digital games, make the download process as simple as possible. Provide instant access once the payment is confirmed, and offer a reliable system for delivering game codes or files.
6. Marketing Your Online Game Store
Once your store is set up, you need to market it to attract customers. Here are several strategies:
Social Media Marketing
- Instagram: Share gameplay videos, game teasers, behind-the-scenes looks at the development process, and customer reviews. Use hashtags like #boardgames, #videogames, or #gamers to reach the gaming community.
- Facebook: Join gaming-related groups or create your own gaming community. Use Facebook Ads to target specific gaming interests or age demographics.
- YouTube: Create video content, such as game tutorials, reviews, or unboxing videos. Partnering with YouTube influencers or streamers can also help you promote your games.
- Twitter: Engage with gaming communities, post updates, and share news about new game releases or promotions.
Search Engine Optimization (SEO)
Optimize your product listings for search engines to help customers find your games easily. Use relevant keywords in your product titles, descriptions, and blog posts. For example, if you’re selling “strategy board games”, include those keywords in your title and description to improve SEO.
Email Marketing
Build an email list of customers and potential buyers. Send out newsletters with updates on new game releases, special promotions, or discounts. You can also offer exclusive content like early access to sales or free game demos.
Influencer Marketing
Partner with influencers or streamers on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, or TikTok. They can help promote your games to a broader audience through game reviews, live streams, or shoutouts.
Affiliate Marketing
Start an affiliate program where bloggers or influencers can promote your games in exchange for a commission on sales. This can be a great way to drive traffic and increase conversions.
7. Track Performance & Optimize
Once you start selling games, it’s crucial to track your sales performance and analyze customer behavior. Platforms like Google Analytics, Shopify Analytics, or Ordefy’s built-in analytics can give you insights into:
- Conversion Rate: The percentage of visitors who make a purchase.
- Traffic Sources: Where your customers are coming from (organic search, social media, email, etc.).
- Average Order Value (AOV): The average amount customers spend on each order.
- Customer Retention: How many repeat buyers you have.
Use this data to refine your marketing strategy, optimize product listings, and improve customer experience.
Conclusion: Start Selling Play Games Today
The gaming industry offers endless opportunities for sellers, whether you’re selling digital downloads, physical board games, or mobile games. By focusing on a niche, choosing the right e-commerce platform, and implementing effective marketing strategies, you can tap into this growing market and build a successful online business.
Start selling play games today with platforms like Ordefy and create an exciting online store that appeals to gamers of all types.
Level up your e-commerce game with the right products, marketing, and customer service!