How to Set Up a Customized Online Company Store for Your Business in 7 Easy Steps
Managing your employee uniforms and apparel doesn’t have to be a logistical nightmare. A custom online company store is the smart solution for businesses looking to streamline ordering, maintain brand consistency, and keep their employees looking sharp year-round.
But where do you start? Setting up an online company store for employees might sound daunting, but with the right approach (and partner), it’s simpler than you think. Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to set up a company store for your business.
1. Identify Your Goals and Needs
Every successful company merch store starts with a clear purpose. What problem are you solving? Are you looking to simplify uniform management, boost employee engagement with branded merch, or maintain consistent branding across multiple teams and locations?
Think about the essentials:
- Who will use the store? Employees, managers, or external partners?
- What products are a priority? Uniforms, company merch, or event gear?
- How will orders be managed? Individual purchases, bulk orders, or a mix of both?
Start by outlining your priorities, and you’ll create a roadmap for a store that doesn’t just work—but works for you.
2. Choose the Right Partner
The success of your employee merchandise store hinges on selecting the right partner to help develop it. A strong partner ensures your store is professional, reliable, and easy to manage.
Lands’ End Outfitters is that partner. With decades of expertise in customized uniforms and branded merchandise, we offer a proven solution for businesses of all sizes. With intuitive store setups, expert customization, volume discounts, and exceptional customer support, we handle the heavy lifting—so you can focus on what matters most.
3. Select Your Merchandise and Apparel
The merchandise and apparel you choose for your company merch store directly influences how your brand is perceived and how well the store serves your business needs. Every item is an opportunity to showcase your brand identity while offering something functional and valued by employees.
When selecting merchandise, consider how and where your employees will use it. For example:
- Uniform Programs: If your business requires consistent uniforms, prioritize professional apparel like polos, dress shirts, and outerwear.
- Remote and Hybrid Teams: Comfortable, casual options like T-shirts, hoodies, and branded accessories go a long way for employees working from home.
By tailoring your selection to real-world use cases, your custom online company store will become a resource your employees will genuinely appreciate.
4. Customize and Brand Your Products
An online company store for employees is an extension of your brand, so every detail matters. Every logo, color, and design choice communicates your identity—not just to employees, but to clients, partners, and anyone who interacts with your team. When done right, branding adds professionalism and creates a sense of pride in your organization.
Keep Your Branding Consistent
Your company merch store should mirror your established brand guidelines to create a connection between your merchandise and your organization’s identity.
- Logos: Use your company’s approved logo design—clear, properly scaled, and positioned.
- Colors: Match your brand’s official color palette for a cohesive look. Many providers offer Pantone color matching to ensure accuracy.
- Fonts: If text is included, stick to your company’s brand fonts or those that complement your visual identity.
Consistency strengthens recognition and reinforces trust in your brand.
Balance Visibility with Subtlety
Not every branded item needs to shout your company name. While some products benefit from bold logos, others might be better suited to more subtle branding.
- Prominent Branding: Use larger, eye-catching logos on items meant for external visibility, like hats, jackets, or tote bags.
- Discreet Details: For professional or casual apparel, consider smaller logos or tonal designs that feel sophisticated yet unmistakably yours.
Balancing these approaches creates versatility in your employee merchandise store and ensures there’s something for every preference and use case.
5. Build Your Online Storefront
The design of your custom online company store will directly influence how effective and engaging it will be for employees. A well-thought-out store should feel intuitive, inviting, and effortless to use.
Keep It Clean and Intuitive
Begin by focusing on simplicity and organization. A clutter-free layout with products neatly categorized and easy to browse ensures employees can quickly locate what they’re looking for. Logical groupings, such as “Workwear Essentials,” “Seasonal Favorites,” or “Accessories,” will make navigation straightforward and reduce the time spent searching.
Employees should feel confident exploring the store, whether visiting for the first time or returning to make additional purchases.
Prioritize a Mobile-Friendly Design
Beyond structure, your store should function smoothly on any device. Today’s workforce is mobile, and employees will likely access the store from their phones or tablets.
A responsive design ensures the layout adjusts flawlessly to different screen sizes without sacrificing functionality. Buttons are easy to tap, images are clear, and the checkout process flows without frustration.
Brand the Storefront to Reflect Your Company
Your employee merchandise store should look and feel like it belongs to your business. Incorporate your company’s colors, logo, and voice into the store’s design so employees recognize it as an extension of the brand they know and trust. A consistent, professional appearance goes a long way in reinforcing pride and engagement.
6. Test and Launch Your Store
Before going live, thoroughly test the store’s navigation, product listings, and checkout process. Invite a small group of team members to place trial orders and provide feedback. Are products easy to find? Are size guides clear? Is the checkout process straightforward?
Use this feedback to refine the store before sharing it with your entire workforce. Once you’re confident, announce the launch, offer clear instructions for use, and watch your custom online company store become a trusted tool for outfitting your workforce.
7. Monitor, Adjust, and Scale
Once your company merch store is up and running, the work doesn’t stop there. To keep the platform effective, you need to monitor its performance, gather feedback, and make adjustments as your business evolves.
- Start by tracking key metrics: Which products are the most popular? Are employees finding the store easy to use? How often are orders placed? These insights can guide improvements, such as adding new apparel options, adjusting stock levels, or refining navigation.
- As your company grows, your online store should grow with it. Whether onboarding new team members, expanding product offerings, or scaling to multiple locations, Lands’ End Outfitters provides the flexibility and support to adapt your store to meet changing needs.
Your Brand, Your Store, Your Way. Partner with Lands’ End Outfitters Today
Partnering with Lands’ End Outfitters means simplifying how you manage branded apparel and merchandise your team will appreciate. With our expertise, you can build an online company store for employees that reflects your brand’s identity, streamlines ordering, and ensures consistent quality across every product. Whether you’re outfitting employees, rewarding teams, or showcasing your brand at events, we provide the tools and support to make it effortless. Let us help you create a solution that saves time, reduces hassle, and keeps your organization looking polished and professional—every step of the way.
Create an Online Custom StoreLands’ End Outfitters: Ignite Your Brand
At Lands’ End Outfitters, our skilled design team specializes in creating customized products that capture your brand’s identity with precision and care. See how we can help you showcase your brand at its best in this short video.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you still have some lingering questions about how to set up an online company merchandise store, check out our helpful FAQ section for more insights and information.
What is a company store, and why should my business have one?
A company store is a branded online platform where employees and teams can easily access pre-approved merchandise, apparel, and promotional items. It simplifies the process of distributing uniforms, managing branded products, and keeping your company's look consistent, all while boosting employee engagement.
How long does it take to set up a custom online company store for employees?
The timeline varies based on your provider and the complexity of your needs. Typically, it can take a few weeks to set up the platform, select products, and finalize customizations. A trusted provider will guide you through each step to ensure a smooth and timely launch.
Do I need to manage the inventory myself?
In most cases, no. Many providers, including Lands' End Outfitters, handle inventory management for you. This means you can focus on selecting and customizing products while they take care of production, storage, and fulfillment.