E-Commerce has been around for a while and is slowly becoming a key contributor in the world’s economy. Online Businesses both large and small are popping up across the globe and although they show a lot of promise at the beginning, most of them fail just a few months down the line.
Considering the rising competition, scalability is a common issue for both established companies and startups.
Market saturation makes it difficult to make consistent sales. As of now, there are a total of 26.6 Million e-Commerce websites in the world. Although not all of them are Amazon counterparts, the majority of them have sustained themselves in various niche markets.
The number of digital buyers is expected to exceed 2.64 billion in 2024, up from 2.05 billion in 2020. This growth reflects the continuous expansion of the global e-commerce market. Several trends in 2024 are contributing to the rise of the online marketplace:
1. Mobile Commerce: The surge in mobile e-commerce, with mobile sales constituting a significant portion of total e-commerce transactions, reflects the convenience and accessibility provided by smartphones.
2. Social Commerce: The integration of shopping functionalities within social media platforms like Instagram, YouTube, and TikTok is creating new avenues for consumers to shop directly through these apps, enhancing the shopping experience and engagement.
3. Personalization: The use of AI and machine learning to offer personalized shopping experiences, including tailored recommendations and targeted marketing, is attracting more buyers and improving customer retention.
4. Diverse Payment Options: The availability of multiple payment gateways, including eWallets, credit and debit cards, and other digital payment methods, is simplifying transactions and catering to a broader range of consumer preferences.
These trends present ample opportunities for businesses to maximize their e-commerce potential by tapping into the growing number of digital buyers and leveraging the evolving technologies and consumer behaviors..
There are numerous ways you can increase eCommerce sales, and at times, it can be overwhelming. Overthinking and indecisions can lead to poor design implementation[2] . It can lead to a whole bunch of problems such as,
-Affects your Brand Reputation.
-Increases bounce rates which is the percentage of users who leave your site after seeing the front page.
-Makes you appear outdated compared to your competitors.
You have to think outside of the box, engage customers from a different perspective. Although services like WooCommerce and Shopify have enabled the process of starting and expanding an ecommerce business, they are mere tools.
The secret to boost your business depends on how you present products and design your website to attract potential buyers. In this blog, we will be discussing 10 ways to boost ecommerce sales which are relevant in 2020. Without further ado, let’s jump right in with
10 Tips to for your E-Commerce Business:
- Master the art of a perfect landing page
- Mobile-Friendly Website
- Real-time personalization
- Product Compare Feature
- Videos for Better Product Visualization
- Integrating Multiple Payment gateway
- Leverage Customer Review
- Social Media Promotion
- Create a Mailing List
- Enhance Customer Support
1. Master the art of a Perfect Landing Page- Retain User Attention and Reduce Bounce Rate
The purpose of a landing page is to grab attention and retain it for as long as possible. Most websites get it wrong and introduce unnecessary triggers and conversion points that overwhelm you, visitors.
Often a simple design with a focused call to action is far more effective than at increasing sales. People don’t look for flashy sales signs. What they want is value for their money they are willing to spend on your product/ service. As a seller, your primary goal is to provide it in the most effortless manner possible.
Let’s take a look at a few ways you can optimize your landing page.
- Prioritize Value Proposition- Customers have a minimal attention span. You have 2-5 seconds to display your product and describe how it’s unique compared to others in your industry. Make the value proposition short and compelling while highlighting the strengths of your product.
- Visual Focus, Images and Data– Images and data are great at grabbing attention and are a must-have in any landing page. According to 67% of consumers, the quality of the product images plays a significant role in their purchases. If you are selling a brand, show a face associated with it. In the case of products and services, share positive customer feedback to build trust with potential buyers.
- Call to Actions(CTA)– Place a single focus CTA right after you’ve presented your value proposition. Use intuitive color schemes or ones similar to your brand. Phrases such as “Contact us” and “Click here” are outdated. Instead, use a more focused approach such as “Start building an eCommerce business” or “Build a high converting online store”.
- Faster Loading Speed- People are annoyed by landing pages that take more than 3 seconds to load fully. A second more and you will notice a significant rise in bounce rates. Page loading also counts toward search engine optimization (SEO). Get a full audit report about your Website from Geekflare optimize your loading speed today.
- Simplify the design – Avoid clutter and unnecessary elements that can distract visitors. A clean and straightforward design helps users focus on the main message and CTA. Use whitespace effectively to improve readability and user experience .
Hubspot reported a 121% increase in conversions by introducing anchor text CTAs proving their effectiveness in increasing sales. Embedding CTAs in the text of blog posts and landing pages significantly improves conversion rates compared to traditional banner advertisements. This strategy remains effective in 2024, emphasizing the importance of strategically placed and visually integrated CTAs for increasing sales and engagement
2. Make a Mobile Friendly Website- Reach out to 2.5 billion smartphone users across the world
According to recent reports, 79% of smartphone users have made an online purchase from their phones in the last six months. Smartphones have become an accessory for the average individual.
In the previous year, close to three-fourth of shoppers used a smartphone alongside physical shopping to show the mobile platform’s staggering potential. Every major business has invested significant resources in optimizing their websites for the mobile interface.
For instance, if you take a look at the mobile version of Google maps, you will notice that they appear exactly the same. Most of the time, you couldn’t tell the difference between both—such ease and uniformity on the mobile-enabled Google to build a loyal database.
Mobile optimization should be at the top of your list if you intend to maximize ecommerce business in this day and age. Let’s take a look at a few features of a mobile-friendly website.
3. Real Time Personalisation- Tailor-made Offers Ensure Repeat Business
Almost 45% of online buyers are likely to shop on a site that offers personalized recommendations. The majority of customers find it easier to look for more exciting products in personalized stores. They are even inclined to share some of their personal data in order to have products and recommendations targeted towards them.
You can also receive up to 10 times higher click-through rates(CTA) with personalized recommendations. Buyers have a lot of options available to them these days. At least a dozen eCommerce stores are selling the same products as you. To grab their attention and to maximize your sales, you must make the first approach with customized offers uniquely tailored to your consumers.
4. Use Compare Products Feature- Help them decide to get best value for money
Ryan is browsing an online store and spots a laptop with next-gen specifications. Although he bought one a year ago, he is unable to take his eyes off the newer version. If he chooses to purchase the product, he will have to make budget cuts for this month.
Ryan is not sure about the purchase and starts to compare the specifications of the laptop to his current model via the in-built comparison feature of the website. He is convinced that the upgrade is worth the money and makes the transaction.
If you’re wondering how to improve online shopping you should consider implementing product comparison features. It enables your customers to ensure they get the most out of their purchases. Satisfied customers are likely to return to your website because even if they do not buy any products, they can use the comparison features to assess the value of a purchase. This not only helps you build authority but prevents buyer’s remorse which is a common occurrence in 8 out of every 10 people.
Additional Benefits of the Product Comparison Feature
- Enhanced Customer Experience: By allowing customers to compare products easily, you simplify their decision-making process, leading to a more positive shopping experience.
- Increased Conversion Rates: When customers can see the clear benefits of a higher-priced product, they are more likely to make a purchase, thereby increasing your sales.
- Reduced Return Rates: With a thorough comparison, customers are more confident in their purchases, which can lead to fewer returns and exchanges.
- Competitive Edge: Offering a robust comparison tool can set your store apart from competitors, making your site a preferred shopping destination for informed buyers.
- Data Insights: By tracking what products are compared most often, you can gain insights into customer preferences and adjust your inventory and marketing strategies accordingly.
5. Use Videos- Offer Better Product Visualization
What’s the first thing you spot when you visit an eCommerce website? In most cases, the answer is images. They draw the most attention and provide a brief insight into the product or services.
Now imagine visiting a second eCommerce store for the same product just so you can compare the prices. However, here you spot a minute-long video showcasing a few practical applications of the item while a second 15 seconds long clip shows off the specifications. Unless you have a personal preference[6] towards the previous seller, you are more likely to buy from the second vendor.
Images are good at drawing attention, but videos are better at convincing the value of a product to potential customers. Reports show that 87% of marketing professionals use videos as their chief marketing tool. So, attach a video to your product and watch as the revenue and traffic rolls in your online store.
6. Multiple Payment Gateways- Simplify Payment Options for Customers
Imagine spending half an hour choosing a product only to discover that the online store does not accept anything but credit cards. You don’t have a credit card, and you just managed to waste 30 minutes and will unlikely return to the store in future.
As of 2024, digital wallets continue to grow in popularity globally. Reports indicate that digital wallets accounted for 50% of e-commerce transactions and 30% of point-of-sale transactions worldwide in 2023. By 2027, digital wallets are projected to account for nearly half (49%) of all global sales both online and at point-of-sale.
Multiple payment gateways also act as a backup if one of them does not respond. Even if you managed to reach the credit limit on your card, you could always use the eWallet feature to purchase products.
Multiple payment gateways especially come in handy in large online marketplaces that receive traffic from all across the globe. Several multi vendor plugins like WC Marketplace[7] [8] offer these plugins. With only a few clicks, you open up your website to various potential sources of revenues and maximize eCommerce business.
7. Customer Reviews- Use them to your Store’s Advantage
Tammy wants to buy some health supplements to match to go with her new workout routine. However, she has not decided on an eCommerce store. She visits an online shop and starts browsing through the comments. After reading a few reviews, she is finally convinced about buying the item and proceeds to checkout.
Reports state that 95% of buyers read online reviews before making a purchase. According to Invesp, 88% of consumers said that they consider online reviews as personal recommendations.
Customer reviews can either make or break your sales. To grow your business, you must leverage positive reviews from happy buyers to influence potential customers into buying your products or services.
8. Promote in Social media Websites- Improve Social Media Engagement
Source: brainpulse.com
Tiffany just adopted a puppy and is learning about pet care. She doesn’t know what to feed the little thing, so she Googles ‘puppy food’ and is bombarded with comments and reviews. Needless to say that she is quite confused.
Tiffany suddenly spots an Instagram post of a pet groomer who is feeding her dogs XYZ dog food. She observes how healthy the dog appears in the video and how other commentators also prefer this brand. She even receives a discount code that saves her 10% on her first purchase.
You probably know what Tiffany does next. This is the power of social media and social media influencers. According to recent data, influencer recommendations still have a significant impact on consumers in 2024. Approximately 61% of consumers are influenced by relatable influencers, and 44% of Gen Z consumers have made purchases based on influencer suggestions (Meltwater) (Sprinklr Platform).
Begin by creating a social media page for your website and engage with your customers and maximize ecommerce business. You can also share:
- Updates on the latest goods.
- Monthly discounts and giveaways.
- Testimonials from satisfied customers to build trust among your customers.
9. Create a Mailing List- Increase Lead Generation via Email Marketing
Email marketing is a powerful tool to ensure repeat business in a somewhat competitive market. It is an optimal way to communicate product information with customers without appearing too invasive.
Email marketing ticks all the boxes. They are customizable to cater to unique buyers; they are reliable and can be automated. With just one click you can send a flurry of emails to your entire mailing list. And there is hardly any cost..
It is so much more than just delivering information to your customers’ inboxes. As of 2024, email marketing remains a highly effective strategy for engaging customers and driving sales. The statistics about welcome emails and abandoned cart notifications are consistent with current data:
- Welcome Emails: Welcome emails continue to have high open rates. Reports indicate that welcome emails can achieve an open rate of around 86%, making them an ideal touchpoint to engage new subscribers and market products effectively (Meltwater).
- Abandoned Cart Notifications: Sending multiple abandoned cart emails significantly boosts conversion rates. Studies show that sending three abandoned cart emails can increase orders by up to 69% (Sprinklr Platform).
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There are two ways you can approach email marketing. You can either consult a pre-made marketing list or you can create a new one from scratch. You can do so by:
- Running a paid traffic campaign and offering visitors to opt into your mailing list.
- Conducting giveaways of a product or service you sell at your store.
- Offering free eBooks on specific guides, your target audience might find interesting and helpful.
Once you have your list, you can share product information, offers and discounts among your audience to maximize eCommerce business. WIshing your customers on their birthdays and offering them exclusive deals also goes a long way in creating a loyal customer base ensuring repeat business over time.
10. Customer Support- Simultaneously Build your Brand and Authority
Source: revechat.com
Henry bought a set of expensive headphones online. Upon receiving them, he discovered that the left earbud wasn’t working. He tried calling customer care and was kept on hold for 10 minutes, and even then, the operator was not able to provide a satisfactory answer. Henry was enraged and made a mental note to never buy from that ecommerce store ever again.
I am sure some of you can relate to Henry. We all have experienced inadequate customer services at some point. It is evident to rule out such problems when you design your store and plan to grow it into a more significant business.
As of 2024, customer experience remains a critical factor in influencing purchasing decisions. The statistics you mentioned are generally consistent with current data:
- Poor Customer Experience: Approximately 76% of customers do not complete a purchase due to poor customer experience, highlighting its significant impact on sales (Meltwater) (Sprinklr Platform).
- Exemplary Customer Service: Around 93% of customers are likely to make repeat purchases if they receive excellent customer service, emphasizing the importance of maintaining high service standards.
. Customer services are also not limited to your eCommerce store. Here are a few ways you can positively engage with your consumers and maximize eCommerce business.
- Create a live chat where potential customers can instantly get their questions answered.
- Arrange email marketing campaigns. Send emails to buyers who have bought a product for reviews or remind them if they have anything left in their cart.
- Answer reviews and questions on social media.
- Always reply to the reviews you receive on your store page.
Grow Your Business Today!
Business success poster of abstract diagram with red arrow growth and people around it isometric vector illustration
In this post, we have discussed 10 ways you can boost your eCommerce business.
During the first six points, we mentioned how you could improve your store’s user interface. We discussed how you attract more visitors with interactive designs and real-time customizations.
In the second half, we talked about customer relations and how you can reach out to your target audience to generate more traffic, sales and repeat sales.
Now that you know how to grow your eCommerce business, why not put it to use and observe how things turn out in the process?
You may be circumspect about what could happen to your business should you implement these changes. But without taking action, you’ll never know the limits of your business or surpass existing ones and maximize eCommerce profit.
