More and more businesses are using e-commerce as their business model.
Today, about 24 million e-commerce sites are, online. The statistics may be daunting, but your site is sure to stand out and be loved by your future customers with the right tools and strategies.
Before you can start managing your business, nail down the concept of your business. Your brand’s identity will always be on display through your logo, your site, your product labels, and your social media posts.
Ask yourself the following:
“Who do I want my brand to be?”
“What makes my brand different from other brands in the market?”
“What can we offer that other brands cannot?”
Once you’ve answered those concerns, you’ll have a clearer idea of your brand’s aesthetic. Your logo, website, and labels are essential elements in reinforcing your brand’s identity. These are what will visually set you apart from your competitors and make you recognizable in the market.
Image by William Iven
For example, honey business owners are using custom-printed honey labels to help their brand make their mark. Beverages like Coke and Pepsi have their signature red and blue labels that anyone can recognize. Having appealing labels makes products more eye-catching compared to products with bad design.
Now that you’ve given your brand identity, it’s time to put it to fair use. Designing your website is one of the most critical factors in the success of your business. According to a study by Kissmetrics, 42 percent of shoppers base their opinions on a website from the design alone. At the same time, 52 percent of shoppers did not return because of the overall aesthetics.
Incorporate your brand identity on your website and make sure it looks professional. When we say professional, we don’t mean bland. Use original high-resolution photos. Be consistent with the color palette and typography. Make sure all buttons and links work and double, triple check for typos. It’s the little details you have to look out for as these seemingly small mistakes can cost you a customer.
To make a website that your customers will love, you’ll have to think like a customer. When you visit a website, what details are you looking for? Where do you expect search bars and ribbons to be placed? Know that customers usually scan webpages in a Z-shaped pattern. Every element of your website has to follow a flow that makes your website easy to navigate.
To drive engagement, your website should be flexible and cater to customers using mobile phones. 54 percent of visits to shopping sites come from handheld devices, such as smartphones and tablets.
To follow the trend, many businesses also have a mobile-friendly website or even a dedicated app. Operating system requirements for iOS and Android ensure your website’s functionality. Some website templates available online are also mobile-friendly.
You may think having “About Us” pages are unimportant, but according to an infographic by Demand Metric, about 80 percent of people appreciate learning about a company through custom content. This page allows you to present your brand directly and prove your trustworthiness. Introduce who you are, what you do, and what you offer to your clients. Endorse a vision that can make your business feel more relevant, that what you do is more than sell products.
To further build trust, you can add testimonials, achievements, and credentials. Don’t forget to include your contact details, address (if you have a physical store), and social media accounts.
All successful e-commerce and retail businesses are on social media. About 3.2 billion people who are potential customers, use social media. Different platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram, can help you connect with your customers, advertise your products, and generate sales.
Creating an online presence is not just about your daily posts and the number of followers. You have to make a steady relationship with your customers by creating and curating engaging content, such as:
Using the appropriate platforms for your customers is essential. First, define your goals. Do you want to improve customer service? Or do you want to create promotional content? Identifying the purpose of your businesses’ social media account can help you choose the right platform and create appropriate content.
A free and effective way of advertising your business is by encouraging user-generated content. For millennials, it’s 20 percent more influential than other media types. It’s no surprise since people tend to trust their family, their friends, and other customers when it comes to product reviews. This strategy allows you to make a genuine bond and maybe even a close-knit community with your customers.
Creating original hashtags for your social media accounts is a good place to start. Hashtags in your customers’ review allow your brand to be seen and organized. This makes feedback easier to access and share. In a survey, 60 percent of customers said they participated in creating UGC for the likes. Sharing UGC is a win-win situation with your business generating leads and your customers getting likes.
One of the worst feelings while shopping is getting your items, scanned only for it to exceed your budget. Unfortunately, this is common even in e-commerce. Do not make the same mistakes as others do. 18 percent of customers abandon their carts because they couldn’t see their bill upfront.
Do your customers and yourself a favor and be transparent with all the costs. Include the tax and additional charges on the price of your product. As for shipping, state it in the checkout process. Offer flexible shipping options to lessen costs and encourage your customers to buy from you.
Now that you know the basics of creating an outstanding e-commerce site, you’re a step closer to creating your own business. It’s time to get out there, get your creative juices flowing, and present your idea to the market.
