Launching an online store requires more than simply setting up a website; it takes marketing efforts and hard work for it to take root and produce sales.
Before uploading products, take some time to survey your audience on their preferences and buying habits. Here are a few strategies to help make that possible:
1. Create a Unique Selling Proposition (USP)
Your unique selling proposition (USP) should form the cornerstone of your brand and serve as an effective way to attract customers. More than just an attractive slogan, your USP should impact all aspects of your business from product development and customer service through to return policies.
An Unique Selling Proposition (USP) helps businesses transcend competition solely on price and quality; provided it’s supported by solid research and a deep knowledge of their target audience. Consider Muse as an example: the first consumer tool enabling real-time feedback of brain activity while meditation.
Once you’ve drafted some ideas for your unique selling proposition, test candidates on social media by tracking click-through rates to see which resonate best with your target audience. In addition, monitor commercial metrics like cost per acquisition and customer lifetime value to gauge its effectiveness.
2. Optimize Your Site for Search Engines
No matter if you sell to consumers or businesses, an online store provides global reach. But to thrive and be seen by search engines, optimization of your site must take place first.
Provide relevant and accurate product descriptions on your website to avoid deceptive practices such as using keywords that aren’t in-demand and misleading users.
Use web analytics tools to monitor customer behavior and identify areas of potential growth, providing invaluable data that can help improve your bottom line and give customers a superior experience while giving you more power over data-driven decisions.
3. Offer Excellent Customer Service
Customer service should never be neglected when opening an online store; in fact, it is one of the key aspects to running a successful enterprise. From answering product-related inquiries to resolving orders issues quickly and smoothly, customers expect an exceptional digital experience when dealing with businesses they interact with online.
Customer service excellence begins by listening. Be it compliment or complaint, it is essential that we listen and respond appropriately.
Another excellent way to provide exceptional customer service is by publishing an easily understood return policy and FAQ page on your website. This will alleviate many common customer worries while building trust with potential new buyers. Finally, offering live chat functionality gives customers access to live communication directly.
4. Partner With Other Brands and Influencers
After doing your research and setting up your online store with products uploaded, the next step should be marketing. However, marketing goes well beyond simply uploading it online and waiting for sales.
Your purchase funnel should lead customers towards buying your products. Each customer may require different steps in their journey towards making this decision; to be successful you need a solid understanding of who your target audience is.
Email marketing apps that sync up with your ecommerce store allow you to automate email campaigns at optimal times, reaching out to target audiences more efficiently than ever. For instance, abandoned cart emails with discount codes might encourage customers to complete their purchases.
5. Promote Your Store on Social Media
Social media may be just the solution you need to increase online store traffic and sales, and reach a wider target market. Gen Zers and millennials spend much of their time on these platforms, providing an ideal opportunity to showcase your products to potential customers.
Promoting your store on other websites using display ads may also help capture new business. To do this, it’s essential that you create and grow an email list consisting of existing and prospective customers as well as anyone interested in attending events hosted by you.
Square makes managing online and in-person orders and inventory much simpler by helping to avoid overselling and keeping customers informed as to when their items will be ready for pickup or delivery.