Whether you're a newbie to the world of ecommerce or already have a store running, you could probably use a few of these tips right now to help get more sales. Fantastic ecommerce copywriting can make a big difference, but there's more to it than that.
Ecommerce and selling goods and services online is an exploding trend. Just last year, Forrester Research predicted that "e-commerce sales in the U.S. will keep growing at a 10 percent compound annual growth rate through 2014. Last year, online retail sales were up 11 percent, compared to 2.5 percent for all retail sales."
Did you know that 44% of computer, apparel and consumer electronic sales in 2009 were made solely online as well? These numbers are only going to go up!
Take advantage of the trend and get a presence on the web. If you already have one, follow the tips below!
1. Maximize any SEO you can afford up front
Start-ups with a low budget may not be able to afford thousands a month on PPC ads out the gate, but there are definitely ways to use free SEO tactics to expose more potential buyers to your website.
• Make sure you utilize the META tags for each page with your keywords.
• Use friendly URL's like yourdomain.com/category/product/.
• Sign up for Google Analytics and Google Webmaster tools and use them.
• Use XML sitemaps and robots.txt.
• Use alt text for your images, and H1-H6 tags with your keywords.
• Take advantage of free social media marketing like Facebook and Twitter.
• Write articles about your expertise or store products and submit them to article directories.
2. Web Usability is Queen
Web usability simply means making a website or page easy for visitors to use. Remember, "don't make them think!" The more options or the harder it is for them to get around and find what they need, the sooner they'll leave. This is especially important when they first enter.
• Use the KISS method - keeping things simple will make it easier to use your store. This can and should include the design.
• The three-clicks rule still exists! Remember, customers are there because they're looking for something specific. Don't make it hard for them to find (and buy) it.
• Clearly marked categories and navigation bars are crucial.
• Even more crucial are easy to see Add to Cart buttons and a way to checkout without an account.
3. Security, security, security!
With all the stories out there about hacking and vulnerabilities, customers need to be reassured that their personal info is safe, and that your store is on lock-down and secure.
• Invest in an SSL certificate if you plan to take any sensitive customer information via your store. They're the things that add the little padlock at the bottom of your browser.
• Ensure your store meets PCI-compliance.
• Programs like HackerProof install "trust marks" to alleviate customer concerns about security and gain their confidence.
4. Entice a sale with a discount or deal
Admit it; we all love a great deal. So do your customers! This is a fantastic incentive for first-time buyers, and an even better one for returning buyers. Giving the latter discounts such as free shipping or a percentage off one of your categories every so often will encourage more sales.
Be careful not to give them out too often - you want to entice the hesitant newcomers and keep the older ones interested, not have them solely rely on a discount to buy.
• Make sure your ecommerce platform can easily support coupons and discounts. Ask your developer or provider if you're not sure.
• Free Shipping is the most popular (and one of the most successful) discounts - try to use it! It can even work on specific products or categories, such as ones that don't sell too well.
• If your products are digital, the above won't work. Instead, try specials that extend the time they get to download your product.
• Adding freebies to digital products are easy and can promote more sales. Again, ask your developer if you're not sure how.
• BOGO deals are great, but not all carts can support this. If you're willing to put in a bit of elbow grease, there may be workarounds to it.
5. Encourage visitors and buyers to opt-in to your newsletter
It may sound a bit odd at first, but let me explain. A Newsletter is the easiest form of marketing there is - email marketing. People opt in because they choose to (hopefully). So, you can use this common medium to communicate and remind them of your shop!
It's especially effective when you use it to inform them of new products or once discontinued products being added, have promotions (see number 4) or just a friendly reminder that 'hey, this is XYZ Shop thanking you for opting in! Oh, by the way, the shop's newly restocked so come take a look!'
So, there they are - 5 quick and dirty tips to get more sales immediately! Utilize just one and you should see an improvement, but all 5 would be even better!
Jean Park is a freelance writer in Southern California who does SEO copywriting, web content, article writing, proofreading and much more. She also writes about various topics such as ecommerce, Korean culture, pop culture, geeky things, video games and relationships. You can find her at http://www.rainbowrite.com.
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