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How to get your first customers

Updated September 2026 · TijarahOnline Help

Short answer: do not start with paid advertising. Message people who already know you on WhatsApp one at a time, post your products on WhatsApp Status, share in local Facebook buy-and-sell groups, and ask every happy buyer for a photo or a line of feedback. Advertise only once you know which products sell.

The hardest orders are the first five. After that you know what sells, what a customer is worth, and what to say — which is exactly what you need before spending money on ads.

Step by step

  1. Message your own contacts. Go through your WhatsApp and message people individually — not a broadcast. A personal message from someone they know converts better than any advertisement.
  2. Use WhatsApp Status daily. Post one product a day with a clear photo, the price and your store link. It is free, and everyone who has your number sees it.
  3. Post in local Facebook groups. Find buy-and-sell groups for your city or your product type. Read the rules first — groups that allow selling are worth far more than ones where you get removed.
  4. Ask for feedback after every sale. Ask each buyer for a photo or one line about the product. Real reviews from real people convince strangers better than anything you write yourself.
  5. Only then consider ads. Once orders are coming in steadily, use tracked links so you can tell which campaign actually produced sales rather than guessing.
Selling again is nearly free. Getting a new customer is the expensive part. Save every buyer's number with what they bought, and message them personally when relevant new stock arrives. Most new merchants ignore this and it is the highest-return thing available to them.

Common questions

Should I run Facebook ads straight away?

No. Until you know which products sell and what a customer is worth to you, you would be buying that information at the worst possible price. Get the first ten orders free first.

How long until I get my first order?

With daily effort, most new stores see something within the first couple of weeks. Anyone promising a full-time income in month one is selling you something.

Do I need lots of products?

No, and more is often worse. On our platform the best-selling store carries around nine products. A focused range is easier to photograph, explain and be known for.

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