There are anywhere from 12-24 million eCommerce sites online today. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, eCommerce has taken on a bigger role than ever before. Many businesses across the globe have had to close their storefronts permanently, while others are seeing a drastic hit to sales in their brick and mortar shops.
Now is the time for business owners to capitalize on the popularity of eCommerce websites and shops. But, with so many already online and more bound to come thanks to the pandemic, it can be difficult to stand out among your competitors.
We’ve talked before about the importance of shipping and delivery options when it comes to eCommerce platforms, and that still rings true. Customers expect fast delivery and no-hassle shipping. But, there is so much more your business will have to keep in mind in order to make your online store successful.
So, what can you do to boost your eCommerce sales quickly in these uncertain times, when the competition is so intense? Let’s go over a few helpful tips.
- Be True to Your Loyal Customers
If you already have an eCommerce business but you want to give it a boost, one of the easiest ways to do that is by targeting your existing customers. The biggest mistake most businesses make when they try to grow is only going after new markets.
While it’s important to consistently attract new customers to your business, you can’t forget about your loyal buyers in the process. They are your bread and butter and the ones who will stick with you. So, pay attention to them, give them incentives to come back to you, and treat them like virtual royalty.
Loyal customers have a higher conversion rate and they are more likely to have more items in their cart than first-time buyers. They also tend to spend more money per transaction.
Because you already know some of the demographics of your loyal customers, targeting them is easier than trying to create campaigns for new customers. An email with a coupon code and a ‘thank you’ for their business can be just the incentive a customer needs to return to your site and make a purchase.
- Include Relevant Videos
Video marketing has exploded in terms of importance over the last few years. So much so, that 81% of businesses use it as a viable tool. You might wonder how an eCommerce site could utilize video, but there are plenty of ways to include videos on your website and social media platforms.
When it comes to your website, you could have a video attached to nearly every product you have for sale. Whether you’re selling clothes, electronics, or specialty equipment, having a video for each item either showcasing how it looks or offering a tutorial on how it works will help people to feel more secure in making their purchase.
When it comes to social media, don’t be afraid to have a little fun with your video marketing. Show some behind-the-scenes footage, or host a live question and answer session on Facebook or Instagram. Now, more than ever, people are craving connection. When they see the person behind a business, they feel as though they can trust your brand more.
- Make Your Site Mobile-Friendly
Did you know that 2 billion people across the world only access the Internet on their phones? The days of having a website that is only optimized for the computer are long gone. If someone is browsing your store on their phone and runs into a glitch, can’t check out or view products, they are going to move on very quickly.
If you don’t have the web design expertise to create a mobile-friendly site, it is worth the investment to hire a web design team or to work with Shopify Plus Experts to learn the best practices for your store. Knowing how people browse and how they are checking out your store from the palm of their hand can give you insight into the things that need to be changed and upgraded.
- Create More Purchasing Incentives
Everyone loves a good discount, so why aren’t you offering more?
eCommerce stores are often far too hesitant to offer great deals because they think they’ll lose money. But, if you aren’t drawing in a larger audience, you’re not making any money at all.
By offering discounts and being strategic with your coupons, you will attract more people to your virtual storefront. When they realize they’re getting a deal, they may end up spending more money than they originally intended because they can’t pass up the savings.
As a result, you will end up making far more than you would have without any type of discount advertising. You should ramp up your promotions even more on special occasions, like the holidays. Most people are shopping and willing to spend more money around that time, anyway, so it’s important to make sure your items and your shop are irresistible.
- Feature Your Best Products
Sometimes, customers need a little push when it comes to knowing what to buy. One way you can “encourage” them is to feature your best products (and typically the most expensive ones) right on the landing page of your site. You can have an entire header about those products, explaining what they are in detail, and showing off beautiful photos and videos. This technique helps to guide your customers subconsciously, so they are more likely to be intrigued by those feature items.
Staying Ahead in the eCommerce Game
These are just a few tips to help your business get a boost as the eCommerce industry is likely to continue growing. By implementing these ideas, you may start to see an increase in sales, more clicks, and more overall visits to your site. There has never been a better time to grow your eCommerce business, but it will take a little time and effort. Make that investment in your business as more people are shopping online than ever before, and you will undoubtedly be handsomely rewarded.
