When online shopping first took off, it was hard to imagine in that time how massively it would impact our lives today. eCommerce sites have revolutionized the way we buy products and services. Plus, they’ve made it easier and more accessible than ever to tap into global markets. There are millions of eCommerce businesses that span the globe and cater to every need. Data compiled by eCommerce platform Shopify estimated by 2021 that retail eCommerce sales would be around $4.9 trillion. This figure is staggering, but the challenge for some retailers to grasp some of the revenue still remains a stumbling block in their eCommerce efforts.
The landscape is wildly competitive, and whatever market you’re in, you are often competing with huge players in the game. So how can you stand out among the rest and make your offering a long-term success?
1. Choosing the right platform for your ecommerce shop
If you’re in the process of creating an online shop, there are lots of options to choose from. Each one has its pros and cons, and you will have to compare the types of functionality you need and whether they are able to scale up with your business. You could also choose to create a website from scratch with the help of a website developer. This can be more expensive initially. However, it will be totally unique to your business.
If you’re looking for an online platform, some of the big names in the business include Shopify, BigCommerce, and WooCommerce. These platforms also offer different pricing structures and site functionality, depending on your requirements.
2. Get your website fully ready before launch
One of the best things about eCommerce businesses is that they can be set up really quickly and easily. However, there are a few downsides to this. Before you start accepting orders and promoting services via your website, make sure it all works properly. This might seem an obvious point, but nothing is ever perfect the first time until you test thoroughly. Some areas to consider include:
- Making sure the payment and shipping process works accurately
- Ensuring the shopping cart aspect is quick and easy
- Making products searchable from the homepage
- Making it mobile-friendly
Get people to test it first by going through the whole process, as it’s easier to sort issues in this phase than when customers are trying to buy products from you.
3. Ensure the backend functions run smoothly
Whether you are forecasting a few sales or a massive influx, everything behind the scenes should run smoothly. This includes stock control, packaging, and delivery methods, to name a few. If you’re anticipating larger orders and need assistance, then using fulfillment services, such as assemblies.com, is an ideal option as they can provide the perfect packaging solution.
Alongside testing your website and how it copes throughout the user experience, you also need to test everything at the backend. This ensures that your inventory control and quality checks are tight, and each person in the business knows the process inside out in case of issues.
4. Sell an experience
The way people buy products and services is changing. Individuals want to feel a connection to the way they shop, and that’s why some of the most successful brands have created a brand persona that fits into everyday lifestyles. To make your brand a success, you need to tap into this area for long-term customer loyalty. The process involves speaking to consumers on a deeper level and solidifying your position as a household or business essential. This is not a simple process and can take years to achieve. It can also be quashed in the blink of an eye.
The focus of your brand message and offering should always be on the user. Consumers are getting wise to companies that are purely in it for the profit, and want to feel like they are making a difference when they buy something. Whether you are an established eCommerce setup or are just launching into the market, identifying customer behavior is vital to hone in on what people want and need in an ever-changing marketplace.
5. Get social
eCommerce businesses won’t survive in isolation. There’s not only the issue of competing with other companies selling similar items to you online, but there are also numerous brands striving for attention on social media. The brands that do well at this engage and build a personality on their social platforms. Many larger organizations have separate accounts for help and advice to do with orders, and the other is the face of the company.
One area that fares well in this environment is when companies don’t take themselves too seriously. It’s always sensible to remain professional. However, if you are able to get the balance right, you can be both without putting people off. The key here to speak to your audience. This vital information will unearth a wide range of possibilities for you to market your product via this marketing method. However, individuals don’t always want a hard sell. Working closely with your analytics, you can identify the demographics of your customers and your ideal consumers to speak directly to the right people every time.
6. Build your customer database
Long gone are the days of sending blanket emails to everyone you have on your contact list in the hope of a sale. Not only does this cost money and rarely work, but it can also pose issues with privacy and who actually wants to receive your updates. The vital area to focus on is to build an authentic customer list of people that want to receive news and special offers, and sometimes this isn’t your direct customer.
There are several ways to do this effectively, and using software such as MailChimp and DotMailer can provide a platform to store information and create engaging emails to people that want to read them. It’s also useful to analyze the data of people that do not open emails regularly. This way, you can build a valuable and cost-effective way of positively promoting your company.
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