Whether you’ve just started a new company or have been in business for several years, there’s no denying that getting more e-commerce sales will massively benefit your company. Whatever you are selling, the market for online shopping is getting bigger and bigger, as customers are presented with an easy and more convenient method of getting the items that they need. Unfortunately, it’s common for businesses to experience plateaus and declines when it comes to online sales. But, don’t get discouraged; there are plenty of useful strategies that you can implement to boost your customer base and increase revenue. Consumer habits are changing, so consider these top ways to make sure that you can keep up.
Focus on Customer Retention
When businesses run into trouble with growth, owners automatically tend to think that it is because they don’t have enough customers. But more often than not, this isn’t the case. In fact, many businesses waste precious time focusing too heavily on customer acquisition, when in reality, they could be boosting their sales by rewarding their loyal existing customers and encouraging them to keep returning to their brand. So when it comes to marketing your e-commerce products, don’t just think about new customers. Come up with ways to encourage your existing customers to purchase again, such as loyalty schemes and marketing newsletters to gently remind them of what you have on offer.
Make Sure Your Site is Trustworthy
Today, with online shopping growing in popularity, there’s never been more importance placed on having clear trust signals on your site. After all, customers can easily go and find similar products from your competitors, and if they don’t trust your site enough to feel comfortable entering their personal and payment details, then you’re going to find that they will do exactly that. First of all, make sure that your site has SSL certification – this is the padlock in the browser bar that lets customers know any information they enter on your website is secure and protected. Secondly, consider investing in additional payment methods, such as PayPal, which will help to protect your customers’ financial information even further.
Invest in Video Demonstrations
Anybody who knows anything about e-commerce understands the importance of having clear, high-quality product photographs on their site, plus informational descriptions so that customers can get a really clear idea of what they are about to buy. But, there’s nothing stopping you from going one step further and using video demonstrations, too. A video allows your customers to see the product in action and give them a clearer view of exactly how it’s going to look, feel or touch. And for some products, it can clearly demonstrate to the user how they would be able to use the product in their daily lives, which is just one of the reasons why it’s so appealing.
Turn on Reviews
When buying products and services online, customers like to read reviews from real people who’ve been there and made the purchase before. Honest, descriptive reviews give customers a chance to learn more about what to expect about a product or service before making the decision to part with their money. So, don’t be afraid to allow your customers to post reviews of specific items on your site after they have made a purchase. Even better; allow them to upload photos with the review, so that future customers can see the product in action, in real life. And, don’t worry too much about the possibility of negative reviews. These give you the chance to respond accordingly and demonstrate your customer service skills, too.
Make Mobile Shopping a Breeze
One of the most important things that you can do is recognize the fact that the majority of your customers will want to shop from their mobile devices. Smartphones and tablets are quickly taking over laptops and PC’s since we can do almost everything using them these days and they’re far more convenient. So, don’t hold your business back with a clunky website that only looks good on a computer screen. Make sure that you have a modern, responsive design that allows your customers to enjoy the best shopping and viewing experience, regardless of the device that they are currently using. What’s more, you might even want to consider investing in a mobile app that customers can download to their device and use for shopping on the go – not only does this provide a seamless online shopping experience, but you can also use it to your advantage to send them push notifications about your products, services, offers, and news.
Personalize Offers
If you’ve ever shopped with big names in e-commerce such as Amazon, then you’ve probably had a few personalized offers before. Perhaps you’ve seen product suggestions based on your viewing history, items that you’ve bought in the past, or items that other customers tend to buy when they buy a particular item that you’re looking at. Not only does this encourage your customers to make further purchases, but it’s also a great way to let them know that you really care about their shopping experience and want to help them out as much as you can when it comes to getting everything that they need.
Get Professional Help and Advice
Last but not least, if you’re new to the world of e-commerce or are struggling to gain traction with online selling, it’s a wise idea to invest in professional advice. Networking and attending e-commerce events is a great way to find an experienced mentor who can offer their support, or you might want to consider investing in the services of a business consultant, who can help you work through your strategies and come up with a plan of action for the future. Follow this link to find out more about business consulting and the many benefits that it can have for your e-commerce brand.
The e-commerce industry is booming, so it’s essential to make sure that your brand is moving with the times and providing today’s customers with the services and features that they need.
