4 Ways to Capitalize on the Current Ecommerce Boom
You want to move your business online, but you don’t know how you can make a big splash with customers. There is a lot of competition out there and you don’t want to get lost in the shuffle. If you’re hoping to capitalize on the current ecommerce boom, try these four techniques to build your business and draw in an audience.
- Make a Mobile App
The statistics portal Statista found that the number of smartphone users worldwide is expected to reach 2.87 billion by the year 2020, which is just over a third of the planet’s current population. Considering the popularity of smartphone use, you would be wise to tap into the mobile market by creating an app for your company. You don’t need an innovative tech department to make this goal a reality. Look for platforms like TheAppBuilder, Appery.io, Good Barber and BiznessApps to create your app without having to learn code or hire a team of web developers. Before creating the app, think about what its main purpose should be. Customers could have fast access to the online store, they could receive notifications for the latest deals or they could leave ratings and reviews.
- Trim Down Shipping Costs
Sometimes customers will second guess a purchase when the shipping costs are too high. You should find a way to get low cost domestic and low cost international shipping options to bump up your sales. There are online platforms that can help you comparison-shop courier services in your area so that you can snag the most affordable rates for your business. Customers won’t balk at the checkout page when they see what a good deal they’re getting for product shipping and delivery.
- Offer Live Customer Support
A storefront wouldn’t fare well if it had no employees present to assist customers browsing the shelves — the world of ecommerce is exactly the same. Customers want to get answers to their questions and solutions for their problems as soon as possible. If your website takes too long to answer an inquiry or resolve an issue, customers could get frustrated and go elsewhere for their needs. Immediate, professional and personable support will turn any one-time visitor into a loyal one.
- Advertise with Social Media
Online marketing has evolved from simple pop-up and banner ads. Now, businesses are putting more of their energy into social ecommerce — the term refers to making sales and gaining customers through social media platforms like Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. It’s an affordable way to showcase an inventory of products, whether it’s a line of custom jewelry or an assortment of furniture.
All of these techniques prioritize the customer experience, either by making the services more easily accessible, understandable or affordable. Think of a shopper looking through the clothing racks and display tables in a boutique. If they feel like the boutique’s service is straightforward, polite and easy on the wallet, they will leave the front door with a new purchase in hand and a smile on their face.
